December on the Outer Banks offers visitors and locals alike numerous events and things to do to celebrate the Holiday Season! Celebrations, festivals, and Christmas events are listed below!
24TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES
NOV 29, 2012 - DEC 1, 2012
Jennette's Pier, Nags Head
Phone: 252-255-1501 Festival of Trees brings together visitors and residents alike to celebrate the holiday season with a holiday bazaar, twinkling lights, festive musical performances, punch and homemade cookies, craft activities for children, a visit with Santa and shopping for one of a kind gifts. The culmination of the festival is an auction of donated, decorated Christmas trees and holiday objects at a catered Gala Holiday Social. Festival of Trees is an annual fundraiser to benefit crisis intervention programs of the Outer Banks Hotline for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. For more information on this Holiday Celebration visit the Festival of Trees website.
TOWN OF DUCK'SYULETIDECELEBRATION
NOV 30, 2012 - DEC 1, 2012
1200 Duck Rd, Duck - MAP The Town of Duck, in cooperation with our local business community, announces the 2nd Annual "Duck Yuletide Celebration". Join us Friday and Saturday, November 30, and December 1, 2012 for a Town-wide celebration of Yuletide Cheer. On Friday, Duck merchants will keep their doors open late for shoppers. To complement your shopping experience, Duck eateries will host one of their famous Duck Tapas Crawls from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.(YUM) Participating restaurants will serve tapas and Holiday cheer for one special price that is sure to be pleasing to every palate. On Saturday, the Town of Duck will hold its Yuletide Celebration on the Duck Town Green, 1200 Duck Road, beginning at 3:00 p.m., with Santa arriving on a fire truck. Enjoy the sounds of live music and sing along with your holiday favorites. The event will feature the announcement of the winners of the Town-wide Business Decorating Contest and will culminate in the lighting of the Towns Crab Pot Tree.
MANTEO TREE LIGHTING & CHRISTMAS PARADE
NOV 30, 2012 - DEC 1, 2012
Queen Elizabeth Street, Manteo - MAP A favorite childhood memory of mine, set in front of the historic old courthouse on Queen Elizabeth Street is the 2012 Manteo Tree Lighting. Scheduled for 6pm, this is a musical dramatic celebration of that indefinable spirit of selfless joy that, for over 400 years, has touched the lives of Roanoke Island residents at Christmas and caused them to persevere against all odds in pursuance of their dreams. This is the official kickoff to the Outer Banks' Christmas season and you would most certainly be missing out if you missed this! Christmas parade to follow on Saturday at 11 a.m. For more information, please visit the Town of Manteo website.
WINTERLIGHTS CELEBRATION
DEC 1, 2012 - JAN 5, 2013
1411 National Park Drive, Manteo - MAP Phone:252-473-3234
Join The Elizabethan Gardens for the opening celebration of Winter Lights on December 1 for the "Grand Illuminations" Celebration; the kickoff to a spectacular, twenty-two-night event of holiday lights and sights. Find holiday warmth and charm inside and out with festive food and drink in the Embellished Hall, and cozy fire pits on the Great Lawn as well as seasonal gift shop and plant sales. From 6 p.m. - 9 p.m, stroll through the gardens and enjoy the spirit of the season. Festive trees grace the Gatehouse, Reception Hall and great Lawn. Open Tuesday - Saturday. Closed Christmas Day. Other notable celebrations include "Come See Santa" on Dec 23, and "Bring Santa Thank You Letters" on Dec 30.
DEC 1, 2012 - DEC 31, 2012
Ocean Acres Drive, Kill Devil Hills - MAP Enjoy one of the most famous homes in America for its Christmas and Holiday Lights display. Featured as a national winner of Today Showlights contest and on HGTV! A night viewing is optimal to get the full effect of the lights. The time and effort the Poulos family puts into this display every year is astounding . . . you'll see little vignettes and decorum found absolutely nowhere else! This is an excellent family tradition to make your own!
FIRST IN FLIGHT HOLIDAY LIGHTS
DEC 1, 2012 - DEC 31, 2012
Aviation Park, Kill Devil Hills - MAP The town of Kill Devil Hills, home of the First Flight, offers visitors and residents an opportunity to reflect on the many aspects of the holiday season with a beautiful lighted display on Frog Pond in Aviation Park. With a backdrop of dark trees and against the reflection of the water, the display features a classic Christmas tree design more than 20' tall.
LADIES' NIGHT AT THE GARDENS
DEC 3, 2012
1411 National Park Drive, Manteo - MAP Phone: 252-473-3234 Help Santa out this season and check out this unique event at The Elizabethan Gardens. Sales professionals will be available to help compile your wish list in the store. Champagne and snacks will make this evening more enjoyable accompanied by some special surprises!
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
DEC 8, 2012
2510 South Croatan Hwy, Nags Head - MAP Who wouldn't enjoy a pancake breakfast with Santa? Every child will have the chance to sit with Santa and have photos taken as well asreceivea small gift bag. This is a fundraiser for The Outer Banks Relief Foundation.
OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMASCELEBRATION UNDER THE LIGHTS
DEC 8, 2012
1411 National Park Drive, Manteo - MAP Join us at the Elizabethan Gardens to celebrate an old fashionChristmas. Come and be the judge on who has the best cuisine on the beach - North Beach vs. South Beach Restaurants. After the delicious dinner buffet, check out our silent auction just before door prize awards. At 6:30 p.m. the fun begins with our live auction. After the auction, enjoy a stroll through the spectacular light display of the Elizabethan Gardens.
CHRISTMAS PAST AT ISLAND FARM
DEC 8, 2012
1140 US Highway 64, Manteo - MAP Phone: 252-473-6500 Santa arrives on Island Farm by ox-drawn wagon with a Christmas tree and Christmas goose! Wagon rides will be offered 10:30 - 12:30. Visit with Santa 11 - 12:30 and again at 2pm, in the farmhouse by a warm fire. Help decorate the Christmas tree and sample cookies and cider in the cookhouse. Experience an 1850s Christmas dinner being prepared that will include the preparation and cooking of the goose as well as other popular dishes from the 1850's.
HOLIDAY HOWL
DEC 8, 2012
Spread some holiday cheer, howling with those who are dear! Refuge staff and volunteers offer you the experience of a lifetime! Come and learn about the endangered red wolf during a short presentation and journey to the heart of the refuge for an adventurous attempt to hear the haunting sounds of our captive red wolves. The program will occur except with lightning, heavy wind or rain, or impassable road conditions. Free Saturday Howlings (no registration required):December 08 - Holiday Howl - 4:00 pm.
THE ART OF GINGERBREAD COOKIES
DEC 8, 2012
1411 National Park Drive, Manteo - MAP Discover how to make perfect Gingerbread Cookies; an Elizabethan tradition with pastry chef Laura Murden. Create from scratch in this hands-on workshop. Chef Murden will share her techniques and decorating secrets for beautiful holiday gingerbread. Arrive dressed for baking and decorating! For more information, please contact GARDENS@ELIZABETHANGARDENS.ORG.
THE ART OF CENTERPIECES
DEC 8, 2012
1411 National Park Drive, Manteo - MAP Decorate your home for the holidayswith an elegant center- piece that is uniquely yours. Let Kim and Wes Stetson of Holiday House Weddings share with you their skills in the Art of Wreath Making. The Gardens will provide the base, greening pins and cuttings. Participants may choose to bring ribbon, ornaments or items from home. For more information, please contact GARDENS@ELIZABETHANGARDENS.ORG.
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
DEC 8, 2012
1411 National Park Drive, Manteo - MAP Learn essential skills forphotographing nature led by published wildlife photographer, Jeff Lewis who is also The Elizabethan Gardens Garden and Nursery Manager. Jeff will give a short presentation in The Meeting Hall followed by a walking tour to explore nature. Dress for the weather, wear good walking shoes, bring a camera, notepad, pencil, film (if needed) and a charged battery. Disposable cameras and AA batteries will be available for purchase. For more information, please contact GARDENS@ELIZABETHANGARDENS.ORG.
FISHING WITH SANTA
DEC 15, 2012
7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head - MAP Phone: 252-255-1501We all know Santa loves the Outer Banks, but did you know he fishes here? Santa is coming to Jennette's Pier! Join Santa and the pier staff for an enjoyable morning of fishing and holiday crafts. Must register by Friday December 14. All ages welcome. Click HERE to register!
OUTER BANKS FAMILY CHRISTMAS CAROLS
DEC 16, 2012
Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Kitty Hawk - MAP This program is a community event presented in conjunction with the Eastern Carolina Concert Society. At its core this program is a community Christmas carol sing-along directed by Steve Blackstock, Organist, and Choirmaster at All Saints Episcopal Church. Musicians include a brass quintet from the VA Beach Symphony, local choir members and singers from across the area, members of the First Flight High School chorus program, and more. ANYONE wishing to sing in the community choir is invited to the only rehearsal at 3:00 PM on the day of the program. No choir experience is necessary. For more information email sgbstock@gmail.com.
109TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF WRIGHT BROTHERS' FIRST FLIGHT
DEC 17, 2012
Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills - MAP Gather at the exact site at the exact time as the historic flight to remember, reflect and celebrate this milestone. The daylong anniversary tribute will be held at the site of the Wright's first flight. Visitors to the site experience a replica of the Wright Brothers' 1903 encampment and majestic, 60 - foot tall granite monument perched atop a 90-foot hill that serves a striking and lasting reminder of the important historical achievement that happened on this site a century ago. "DOOMSDAY" 5K & "I SURVIVED THE END OF THE WORLD" MARATHONS
DEC 21, 2012
7223 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head - MAP Phone: 252-489-8239On the 21st of December of 2012 the Mayan Calendar comes to an end and many think that the world will also come to an end at this time. Outer Banks Runcations has just one question....where will you be? Outer Banks Runcations is excited to announce its newest races, the Doomsday 5k on December 21st, 2012 at 6pm and the I Survived the End of the World 5k on December 22, 2012 at 8am. Race in one or risk it and sign up for both as a package. Both races will be out and back courses on the Multi-use Path in South Nags Head and promise to be a challenging yet fun time for everyone. Post-Race food and beverage refreshments and some cool swag will be available for all the runners. RESOLUTION 5 & 15K BEACH AND NOISE MAKER FUN RUN
DEC 30, 2012
Kitty Hawk Pier, Hilton Garden Inn, Kitty Hawk - MAP Do you have the Resolve for the fitness lifestyle, a better You in 2013? New Year. New Challenges. New Habits. New You. Kick off your New Year fitness program with this Beach Run Challenge! This is an out and back Pier to Pier course with a shorter distance but just as challenging 5k option at low tide featuring the sunrise over the beautiful beaches of North Carolinas Outer Banks. One of a Kind Trophies created especially for this event for the top Male and Female Winners and a Post-race party featuring a Champagne Breakfast Buffet and refreshments. We are very thankful to be teaming with the Hilton Garden Inn for this New Years event. Water stations on the course. Visit HERE for more information and registration.
