The Hatteras Island Arts & Crafts Guild’s annual Thanksgiving Show returns November 28–29, 2025, at Cape Hatteras Secondary School in Buxton, NC. A cherished island tradition, the event showcases the incredible talent of local artists and artisans and takes place the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.

12th Annual Tiny Art Show
Celebrate art, color, and community at The Swell Art Gallery in Buxton!
Each Tiny artwork is only $20, with every purchase supporting the Wayne Fulcher Art Scholarship Endowment—honoring creativity from artists of all ages.

Wednesday, October 22 | 5:30–7:30 PM
The Swell Art Gallery – 46854 NC 12, Buxton, NC
Enjoy an evening of local talent, good company, and take home a Tiny treasure that’s sure to brighten your day.

Get into the holiday spirit at the Hatteras Village Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 13th, 2025, sponsored by the Hatteras Village Civic Center! Join the community for festive floats, cheerful music, and plenty of coastal holiday magic as this beloved island tradition lights up the streets of Hatteras Village. Festivities begin at 2pm!

Come one, come all to the Hatteras Village United Methodist Church parking lot to take part in the Hatteras Village Civic Association’s annual Trunk or Treat on Halloween. Festivities start at 5pm with FREE hot dogs and hamburgers, chips, and drinks for the ultimate trick or treating experience.

*Those wishing to set-up a “trunk”, please plan on being set-up no later than 5pm.

Join the Hatteras Village Civic Association for a night of fright on the Nightwalker’s Path Haunted Trail! Park at the Hatteras Village Civic Center to be transported to the trail. Admission is $5 per person.

The trail is open on October 25th from 8-10 pm. Special sensory-friendly visits are available from 7-7:45 pm.

Registration for the 14th Annual Surfin’ Turkey 5k & Puppy Drum Fun Run is LIVE!

WHEN: Thanksgiving Day 2025 at 8am

WHERE: Hatteras Village, NC

WHY: Run this beautiful 5K course through the historic fishing village before your big Thanksgiving feast! All proceeds from this race support the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund (HIYEF). During the 2024-2025 school year, HIYEF provided more than $50,000 in grant funded projects to our two Cape Hatteras Schools. HIYEF provides funding for educational and enrichment opportunities for our Hatteras Island students.

Sponsored by Midgett Realty

The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau is proud to introduce the first-ever Outer Banks Volunteer Week, happening October 11–18, 2025. This new initiative welcomes visitors, residents, and second homeowners to roll up their sleeves and get involved with local organizations through a variety of meaningful projects and events. As part of the Bureau’s growing Voluntourism program, Volunteer Week is designed to strengthen community partnerships, encourage off-season travel to Dare County, and shine a light on the year-round efforts that keep the Outer Banks thriving and well cared for.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact community@outerbanks.org.

The 13th Annual Rock The Cape is taking on a fresh new look this year as Dare Arts reimagines the beloved event into a full-day Hatteras Island art gallery tour on Friday, September 26.

Eight galleries, stretching from Salvo to Hatteras Village, will open their doors for this free, family-friendly, self-guided experience. Guests are invited to explore local art, meet artists, enjoy live demonstrations, shop special sales, and soak up the creative spirit of Hatteras Island. Many locations will also feature live music from local musicians along with snacks, drinks, and other treats to make the day even more memorable.

Participating galleries include (listed north to south):

Pea Island Art Gallery (Salvo)
Studio 12 (Avon) – make & take art, meet the artists, live demos, and live music
Swell Art Gallery (Buxton) – live music, artist meet-and-greet, and baked goods
Artistic Treasures (Buxton) – make & take jewelry, meet the artist, and snacks
Red Drum Pottery (Frisco) – fresh hibiscus or yaupon tea and live music
The Blue Lagoon (Frisco) – live music, artist meet-and-greet, BBQ, wine, and chocolate
Family Jewels (Hatteras) – live music, artist meet-and-greet, and mimosas
Blue Pelican, Gallery, Gifts + Yarn (Hatteras) – live music, special sales, and snacks

For the complete schedule of artists, musicians, activities, demonstrations, and more, visit DareArts.org/rockthecape.

This project is made possible by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

As Dare Arts celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, the organization continues its mission as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment, and opportunity.

For more details, call (252) 473-5558 or visit DareArts.org/rockthecape.

Rock The Cape Gallery Tour 2025

Rain or shine, the Lighthouse Arts & Crafts Show invites visitors to browse the work of talented local artists and craftsmen at the Family Life Center in Buxton each month.

Hosted by Lighthouse Church of Buxton, this community event transforms the venue into a vibrant showcase of creativity. Guests can enjoy shopping for unique, handmade pieces in a clean, air-conditioned space—comfortably out of the island’s wind, heat, or passing showers.

Proceeds from artist booth fees, bag lunches, snacks, and donations go right back into the community, supporting programs like The Vibe, held the first Friday of every month. This free, family-friendly gathering brings kids of all ages together for basketball, volleyball, games, crafts, music, pizza, popcorn, and plenty of fun.

Rain or shine, the Lighthouse Arts & Crafts Show invites visitors to browse the work of talented local artists and craftsmen at the Family Life Center in Buxton each month.

The 16th Annual Red Drum Tournament is open to the first 600 anglers who wish to enter!

This isn’t an invitational event—it’s an individual fishing tournament with a team component, offering plenty of opportunities for anglers of all levels.

Over the course of 60 hours of fishing on the beaches of Hatteras Island, anglers can cast their lines anywhere between Ramp 23 and, potentially, Ramp 45 (South Beach). Fishing begins at midnight on Wednesday and runs through noon on Saturday, with no assigned stations. You’re free to choose when and where you fish, as long as the area is vehicle-accessible.

The team division, introduced in 2018, has grown into one of the tournament’s most popular features. In 2024 alone, more than 80 teams participated. Teams consist of three to six anglers and have become a favorite for families as well as established groups accustomed to fishing invitationals. Best of all, team members remain eligible for all individual prize categories.

To raise the stakes, a special challenge was added in 2022 for those who volunteer as judges for two six-hour sessions. These anglers compete in a judges-only category with a $1,000 cash prize awarded to the longest drum—on top of being eligible for all other team and individual awards.

In 2024, the tournament awarded over $13,000 in cash and prizes, making it one of the most rewarding surf fishing events on the East Coast.

The fun doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. At check-in, anglers can look forward to seminars from two renowned experts: Tommy Farmer of Carolina Cast Pro will once again lead a casting clinic to sharpen skills and improve technique, followed by Ryan White of Hatteras Jack, who will share insights on reading the beach and alternative fishing methods. Ryan is not only an expert rodsmith but also an accomplished fisherman, making his session a must-attend.

Check-in for pre-registered participants will take place at the Avon Firehouse on Harbor Road in Avon. Please note that drive-through pickup will not be available. Randomly selected anglers from the pre-registration list will also win exciting door prizes during check-in.

The tournament concludes Saturday afternoon with the awards ceremony at the Lighthouse Assembly of God church in Buxton, where winners will be celebrated and prizes awarded.