Annual Ocracoke Events

Ocracoke annual events are legendary. The island is known for planning and hosting special events that rank high on the list of most-loved Outer Banks events and draw visitors back time and time again.  There are older, established events, like the 4th of July Celebration and the British Cemetery Ceremony, and newer events, like the Ocracoke Fig Festival and Ocrafolk Festival, and it seems like the islanders add new ones all the time. There are events that draw mostly locals, like the Ocracoke Parade of Boats around Thanksgiving, and those that bring in people from all over, like the Pirate Jamboree in October. The tight-knit community gets together and plans fun events, and they welcome visitors to join in on their fun. Keep reading to browse a list of the Ocracoke annual events.

Planning for Ocracoke Annual Events

If there’s one thing you need to know about Ocracoke annual events, it’s that they are popular. People come from all over the state and beyond to enjoy these special festivals and celebrations, planning their vacations to coincide with their favorites. If you’re interested in attending one of Ocracoke annual events, be sure to plan ahead as much as possible. Book your ferry reservations and accommodations as soon in advance as you can. This is especially true with the ever-growing Ocrafolk Festival in June and the always-popular 4th of July Celebration.

4th of July Celebration in Ocracoke

Ocracoke Annual Event
Island-wide, Ocracoke
(252) 928-6711

Ocracoke Village celebrates Independence Day with a family-oriented, fun-filled annual event offering many activities for all ages. July Fourth kicks off with a flag-raising ceremony at the school circle followed by the annual Sand Sculpture Contest. Other activities include lighthouse tours, a vintage car show, live music and the annual Classic Old-Time Parade in which visitors and locals build floats, decorate bikes and...read more

Ocracoke Village celebrates Independence Day with a family-oriented, fun-filled annual event offering...read more

Blackbeard's Half-Marathon and Scallywag 5K/10K on Ocracoke

Ocracoke Annual Event

Ocracoke's fun-filled race weekend, held the last weekend of April, draws runners of all skill levels for a half-marathon, 10K and 5K. If you're looking to set a PR, the courses are flat (there's hardly even a hill on this island) and therefore very fast. The 10K and 5K are held on Saturday morning, beginning at Gaffer's Sports Pub and winding through the village. The...read more

Ocracoke's fun-filled race weekend, held the last weekend of April, draws runners of all skill...read more

Blackbeard's Pirate Jamboree

Ocracoke Annual Event
(252) 928-6711

Come to Ocracoke to commemorate more than 300 years since Blackbeard's historic last battle. Held annually in October, this three-day event is highlighted by an all-day, family-friendly, true-to-life Pirate Encampment by Blackbeard’s Pirate Crew. Wear your costumes and enjoy the entertainment with interactive living history exhibits, music, a shopping marketplace and lots of other pirate activities. The event culminates with the last battle reenactment at...read more

Come to Ocracoke to commemorate more than 300 years since Blackbeard's historic last battle. Held...read more

British Cemetery Ceremony

British Cemetery, British Cemetery Road, Ocracoke

On May 11, 1942, the H.M.T. Bedfordshire sank off of Ocracoke Island’s coast. Four of the sailors found their final resting place at the British Cemetery. Each Friday in April, an annual ceremony and reception remembers those sailors and celebrates the small plot of land that’s come to be known as “forever England.” This annual event brings together people from the Ocracoke community, representatives from...read more

On May 11, 1942, the H.M.T. Bedfordshire sank off of Ocracoke Island’s coast. Four of...read more

Festival Latino de Ocracoke: Unidad y Celebración

Ocracoke Annual Event
120 Schoolhouse Road, Ocracoke School, Ocracoke
(252) 921-0260
(252) 588-2242

Produced by Ocracoke's Latino residents in partnership with Ocracoke Alive, the annual Latino Festival de Ocracoke is held in early November. This celebration features music, dance, games, arts and food from the many regions of Mexico and Latin America. read more

Produced by Ocracoke's Latino residents in partnership with Ocracoke Alive, the annual Latino Festival de...read more

Ocracoke Fig Festival

Ocracoke Annual Event
Ocracoke Preservation Society and, Berkley Barn, Ocracoke
(252) 928-7375

Ocracoke celebrates its sweetest tradition in early August with the annual Ocracoke Fig Festival sponsored by Ocracoke Preservation Society. Local vendors provide fresh figs, fig preserves, local cookbooks and other fig-tastic items. Learn about Ocracoke’s fig history and culture and bring the kids for old-fashioned crafts and games. The showpiece of the Fig Festival is the Fig Cake Bake-Off on Saturday, but look for events all weekend...read more

Ocracoke celebrates its sweetest tradition in early August with the annual Ocracoke Fig Festival sponsored...read more

Ocracoke Island Waterfowl Festival

Berkley Barn, 58 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke

Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, held in April, draws hundreds of decoy carvers and collectors from Ocracoke Island and around the region. The event is sponsored by the nonprofit Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild, which was formed in 2018 to preserve this art form and piece of Ocracoke Island history. It's a one-day event and usually features a barbecue dinner and bake sale.read more

Ocracoke Waterfowl Festival, held in April, draws hundreds of decoy carvers and collectors from Ocracoke...read more

Ocracoke Island-Wide Yard Sale

Ocracoke Annual Event
Various Ocracoke Locations, Ocracoke

Sell, buy, browse – the Ocracoke Island-Wide Yard Sale invites you to do it all. Maybe you have items that you never use or no longer need. Perhaps you’re in the market for a few knick knacks. Or you could just be looking to earn some cash. Shop an incredible assortment of items and score great bargains at this community yard sale. The Ocracoke Variety...read more

Sell, buy, browse – the Ocracoke Island-Wide Yard Sale invites you to do it all....read more

Ocracoke Parade of Boats

Ocracoke Annual Event

Forget decking the halls – Ocracokers prefer decking the hulls. Get into the holiday spirit the island way with the Ocracoke Parade of Boats. This annual event welcomes aquatic vessels of all shapes and sizes to Silver Lake where they show off their holiday finery. Fishing boats, yachts, sailboats, skiffs, kayaks, Jet skis and more form a procession along the banks of the harbor at...read more

Forget decking the halls – Ocracokers prefer decking the hulls. Get into the holiday spirit...read more

Ocracoke Seafood Festival

Celebrate the bounty of the local waters while feasting on fish, crabs, shrimp and more. This fall festival also features live music and fundraising auctions and raffles, with proceeds benefitting Ocracoke Health Center.

 read more

Celebrate the bounty of the local waters while feasting on fish, crabs, shrimp and more....read more

Ocracoke Working Watermen's Association Oyster Roast & Shrimp Boil

Ocracoke Community Square, Ocracoke

If you’re on Ocracoke Island in December, you won’t want to miss the Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association Oyster Roast and Shrimp Boil. One of the most popular winter events, this community meal celebrates seafood and the people who make enjoying it possible. For the afternoon, the Community Square turns into a fish-fest where makeshift tables offer gathering grounds for shucking oysters, peeling and eating shrimp...read more

If you’re on Ocracoke Island in December, you won’t want to miss the Ocracoke Working...read more

Ocrafolk Festival

Ocracoke Annual Event
Berkley Manor, 58 Water Plant Road, Ocracoke
(252) 921-0260

The Ocrafolk Festival is one of the most beloved Outer Banks annual events and traditions. On the first weekend in June, storytellers, musicians and artists bring themselves and their trades to Ocracoke Island for a three-day festival. You can shop directly from artisans and crafters, watch art demonstrations, listen to established and up-and-coming musicians and be absorbed by thrilling tales about Ocracoke Island and North...read more

The Ocrafolk Festival is one of the most beloved Outer Banks annual events and traditions....read more