Fresh Local Seafood, Live Music & a Celebration of the Outer Banks Way of Life
There are plenty of reasons we love calling the Outer Banks home, but fresh local seafood, great music and a community that knows how to have a good time are definitely near the top of the list!
Mark your calendars for the 2026 Outer Banks Seafood Festival, happening Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head.
Whether you live here year-round, own an Outer Banks vacation home or are planning a fall getaway, this is one OBX event you won’t want to miss.
Come Hungry!
It wouldn’t be the Outer Banks Seafood Festival without plenty of delicious food!
Restaurant and beverage tents open when the gates open at 10:00 a.m., giving festivalgoers the chance to sample dishes from local restaurants while celebrating the seafood and fishing industry that is such an important part of our Outer Banks heritage.
This year’s participating restaurants include local favorites such as Basnight’s Lone Cedar, Dirty Dick’s Crab House, Firehouse Boil, Good Winds Restaurant, Harbor Grill and Shipwreck’s Taphouse & Grill.
Come hungry and make a day of it!
Live Music All Day Long
What’s an Outer Banks festival without live music?
The Main Festival Stage kicks things off at 10:15 a.m. with SOULone, followed by the opening ceremonies and National Anthem performed by the First Flight Chorus at noon. The music continues throughout the afternoon with the Daniel Jordan Band at 12:30 p.m., The Main Event Band at 2:30 p.m. and Funkamongus at 4:30 p.m.
Grab some seafood, find a spot to relax and enjoy the music!
Celebrate Our Outer Banks Fishing Heritage
The festival is about much more than great food. It’s also an opportunity to celebrate the commercial fishermen and watermen who have helped shape the Outer Banks for generations.
The Fishing Heritage Tent and vendor areas open at 10:00 a.m., where visitors can learn more about our local fishing industry and how fresh North Carolina seafood makes its way from the ocean to our tables. The festival’s educational exhibits highlight local seafood, commercial fishing, boating safety, coastal conservation and the history of our lifesaving heritage.
And if you’re feeling competitive, don’t miss a true festival favorite—the Mullet Toss, beginning at 11:00 a.m.!
Shop Local While You’re There
Make a little room between seafood tastings to browse the festival’s huge selection of local vendors and artisans.
You’ll find everything from coastal artwork, pottery and photography to jewelry, clothing, home décor, candles, handmade gifts and plenty of uniquely Outer Banks creations. It’s a fun way to support local businesses and maybe even get an early start on your holiday shopping.
Know Before You Go
The 2026 Outer Banks Seafood Festival takes place at the Soundside Event Site, 6800 S. Croatan Highway in Nags Head at Milepost 16.5.
There is no onsite vehicle parking, but free shuttle service will run from designated off-site parking locations approximately every 30 minutes or less from 9:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Walking and biking to the festival are also encouraged, with bike racks available onsite.
Before heading out, check the official festival website for tickets, transportation information and any schedule updates.
More Than a Festival—It’s an Outer Banks Tradition
One of the things we love most about the Outer Banks is that our communities are still deeply connected to the water. The Outer Banks Seafood Festival celebrates that connection while helping support the people who make their living from it.
Since 2012, the festival has generated nearly $100,000 in grants and financial support for members of the local maritime industry, including commercial fishermen, fish houses, charter and head boats and others who support the Outer Banks fishing industry.
So come hungry, bring your dancing shoes and spend the day celebrating everything we love about coastal North Carolina.
