Events

Celebrate Ocracoke’s pristine beaches, maritime nature trails, village gardens, glorious live oaks, and thriving wildlife inspire residents and visitors alike to appreciate and celebrate our beautiful island’s natural places. Share the love of the island and the rest of the planet, the Ocracoke community is organizing the second annual Ocracoke Earth Day Weekend Celebration.If you have any other questions feel free to contact  info@ocracokealive.org

Presented by the non-profit Ocracoke Island Decoy Carvers Guild, this annual event draws decoy carvers and collectors in celebration of a time-honored art. Check back for a schedule and details on this event!

Every other year, the Friends of Portsmouth Island, in cooperation with Cape Lookout National Seashore, sponsor an old-fashioned homecoming in Portsmouth Village.
In addition to the homecoming service, the village is open for visiting, and the service itself is followed by a traditional “dinner on the grounds.”

The 2024 Homecoming will be focused on the Lifesaving Station – stayed tuned for updates and announcements!

Check out Friends of Portsmouth Island for more info!

Join us for a Runfest that includes a half marathon, 5K and 10K races, and a one-mile family fun run. The races take place in village through historic roads, around Silver Lake Harbor, and by the second oldest lighthouse in the nation. Each participant receives a t-shirt and a medal. The top three male and female contestants of each category receive an award. Sign up here. 

Ocracoke’s 39th annual Surf Fishing Invitational brings together anglers from far and wide, eager to cast their lines into the Atlantic’s rolling waves. Against the backdrop of stunning coastal scenery, competitors vie for bragging rights and prizes, fostering a sense of camaraderie amidst the thrill of the chase.

This ceremony and reception commemorates the sinking of the H.M.T. Bedfordshire off the coast of Ocracoke Island in 1942. Four sailors from the Bedfordshire are buried on the island in a small plot of land that is “forever England.” Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, British Royal Navy, and Canadian Royal Navy, as well as Ocracoke High School students participate in the ceremony, which includes a reading of the crew list, the playing of bagpipes, and a 21-gun salute. The event is open to all who wish to pay their respects.

Sell, buy, browse—or do all three—at the Ocracoke Island-Wide Yard Sale.

Rain date May 18,2025

No gowns or tuxedos required for a good time here. Our Memorial Day weekend Fireman’s Ball starts with a pig picking, includes a silent auction and live auction that encourages good-natured bidding wars, all to support Ocracoke’s Volunteer Fire Department. Following the auctions, three live bands rock out all night long for your listening and dancing pleasure.

Ocrafolk Festival features musicians, storytellers, artisans, and characters of Ocracoke Island and beyond who come together for one incredible weekend of performances and fun! For details visit https://www.ocracokealive.org/general-info-and-tickets.html

Ocracoke’s Independence Day celebration kicks off July 2 with a fireworks show and DJ tunes beforehand. On July 3, enjoy a lively square dance at the Berkley Barn ($5 admission). The festivities continue on July 4 with a sand sculpture contest and a ole time Ocracoke parade through the village! 🇺🇸🎆 Full detailed schedule to come as we get closer.

Join us on Ocracoke Island for a savory celebration of coastal cuisine at the  Ocracoke Preservation Society’s Fish Fry event. Indulge in a mouthwatering array of freshly fried seafood delicacies and lively island vibes.

Join us for a FREE, family-friendly celebration of Ocracoke’s summer bounty! The 11th annual Fig Festival will take place at the Berkley Barn on Ocracoke Island. This year the Ocracoke Fig Festival will host North Carolina Chef Dean Neff! The festival also features live music, traditional Ocracoke square dancing, children’s crafts, talks by local fig experts, and vendor booths offering fig preserves, fig cakes, fig trees, local cookbooks, and other fig-tastic items. The weekend’s finale will be a dance with the Ocracoke Rockers! Find more information here.

Join us for Ocracoke’s Seafood Festival benefiting the Ocracoke Health Center. This  fund-raising event helps support the Ocracoke Health Center in repairing, renovating, and expanding the facility, as well as help support their mission to provide quality, accessible, and affordable community-based medical care to our community and visitors. Find more info here.

Join the Ocracoke Community Pool Association for a delicious showdown at the Clam Chowder Cook-Off on September 20th at the Ocracoke Community Center! Sample a variety of homemade chowders, vote for your favorite, and enjoy a fun event of community spirit and good eats. Whether you’re competing or just coming to taste, you won’t want to miss this!

Join us for the second Ocracoke Red Drum Shootout, a thrilling event for anglers of all skill levels! Held at one of the premier fishing destinations on the East Coast, the tournament features competitive fishing for Red Drum, with cash prizes and trophies for the top catches. Come and enjoy the camaraderie, excitement, and challenge of reeling in the biggest fish! Along with the main event, there is a lunch and awards ceremony at the Berkley Manor. Don’t miss out on this chance to showcase your fishing skills and create unforgettable memories!

The event features submissions from amateur artists from Ocracoke and across the country and is one of our top fundraisers.

For more information, contact OPS at (252) 928-7375, or info@ocracokepreservation.org.

Come celebrate Ocracoke’s unique pirate history with a weekend of swashbuckling fun. The Jamboree features an historically-accurate pirate encampment and a reenactment of the infamous pirate Blackbeard’s last battle. Interactive living history exhibits, sea shanties, music, and a shopping marketplace of seafaring fine arts and wares provide entertainment for all ages. The event culminates when pirate and militia crews march to Springer’s Point to honor those killed in Blackbeard’s last battle with a eulogy, hymns, and final cannon salute.

The annual 5K Turkey Trot on Ocracoke Island takes place Thanksgiving morning. Get together with family, friends, and fellow runners, burn some calories, and have fun before the Thanksgiving feast!

Ring in the holidays island-style with this seasonal parade that takes place on Silver Lake Harbor.

Do your local holiday shopping and support Ocracoke Island’s local businesses,  spend an afternoon with friends and family sampling products from local shops and vendors. 

Join the Ocracoke Preservation Society in toasting the holiday season with a warming cup of wassail and a treat. The Wassail Party includes a raffle and it’s a great time to browse the museum’s gift shop for holiday gifts.

Don’t miss the Holiday Oyster Roast at The Ocracoke Seafood Company on December 27th! Enjoy fresh oysters, steamed shrimp, and clam chowder—all you can eat. More details to come! See you there! 🦪✨