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Have you ever experienced the magic of the Outer Banks in Winter? If not, you’re missing out on one of the coast’s most incredible seasons. Beach days shift from fun in the sun to bonfire nights and starlit skies. The summer swelter is replaced with cool breezes that make bike rides, nature walks, and outdoor events even more enjoyable. And if you’re lucky enough to plan a trip during the holiday season, you’ll find merriment and wonder from the shores of Corolla all the way to Hatteras Island.

This season, spice up your annual traditions and explore everything the OBX at Christmas has to offer, from pop-up markets and tree lightings to Christmas parades and holiday events. We’ve got the details to help you plan an unforgettable trip.

Don’t forget to reserve your vacation home right here with Brindley Beach for the best Christmas rates in the area.

OBX Vacation Homes Available This Christmas

Where to Go, What to Do, and What’s Open on the OBX at Christmas

Even in the off-season, you’ll find restaurants, shops, and attractions open across the Outer Banks, with holiday events giving you even more reasons to plan a visit.

Exciting pop-ups like the 12 Bars of Christmas transform participating venues into winter wonderlands with festive menus and cocktails (with prizes on the line if you visit them all). Botanical gardens are awash in decorative light displays. And town parades and tree lightings give families plenty of chances to see Santa and spend time in our vibrant communities.

Check out the full town-by-town Christmas details below!

decorated christmas tree on the beach

  

Corolla Christmas

Historic Corolla makes a wonderful setting for a coastal Christmas, with holiday shopping, decorated village streets, and candlelight tours of Whalehead. Plan an early-season stay if you want to catch the markets, or settle in for Christmas week with beach walks and family time.

Holiday Events & Christmas Lights

  • Christmas Craft Village: Held on the Friday after Thanksgiving at Whalehead in Historic Corolla Park, this outdoor market features local art, handmade gifts, baked goods, and food vendors. Free carriage rides and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus add to the family fun.
  • Corolla Village Christmas: Historic Corolla Village hosts a holiday celebration around Thanksgiving weekend. Explore the village’s light displays and enjoy great shopping, music, and activities.
  • Whalehead Christmas Candlelight Tours: On select evenings leading up to Christmas, tour the mansion decorated with Christmas trees and greenery inspired by the Knights’ life here in the 1920s. Live music on Mrs. Knight’s original Steinway piano and a holiday treat are part of the experience. These tours require advance reservations and will sell out well before your trip, so plan ahead.

Other Things to Do

Take a walk through Historic Corolla Park for views of Whalehead and the Currituck Sound, or book a wild horse tour for an outing on the northern beaches. Corolla Jeep Adventures operates year-round, making it a great option.

Where to Eat

Uncle Ike’s Sandbar & Grill in Corolla Light Town Center is a year-round option that has historically been open around Christmas. Check its current kitchen hours before stopping in, and contact the restaurant directly about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service.

sunset in Duck, North Carolina with view of pier and ocean

 

Duck, NC Christmas

Duck combines small-town Christmas traditions with shops, coffee stops, and soundside walks. We love it for a holiday outing that lets you browse for gifts, catch the sunset, and sit down for dinner without packing the day with too many plans.

Holiday Events & Christmas Lights

The Duck Yuletide Celebration brings families to Town Park in early December for live holiday music, children’s activities, treats, and Santa’s arrival, and the lighting of the Crab Pot Tree gives this free celebration a distinctly coastal touch.

Other Things to Do

Walk the Duck Boardwalk for views across Currituck Sound, then browse the nearby shops for books, clothing, and gifts. Town Park also has trails through maritime forest and wetland areas. On a clear afternoon, leave time to watch the sunset before heading back to your Brindley Beach Duck vacation rental.

Where to Eat

  • December dining: Aqua Restaurant & Spa, Cravings Steak & Seafood, and Village Table & Tavern will be open during December, but closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Christmas Eve options: NC Coast Grill & Bar, Red Sky Cafe, and Bangkok Thai-Sushi will be open and serving delicious bites. Duck’s Cottage Coffee & Bookshop is another option for a holiday coffee stop.
  • Christmas Day: The Lifesaving Station Restaurant at Sanderling will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Make reservations in advance to guarantee a table.
aerial view of beach in Kitty Hawk

 

Kitty Hawk Christmas

Kitty Hawk is a good choice for guests who want beach time, woodland walks, and several dining options close to home.

Things to Do in December

Two Roads Tavern pays tribute to Home Alone as it transforms into McCallister’s Corner for the 12 Bars of Christmas. Stop in for the holiday decorations and seasonal food and drinks, and get your passport stamped if you’re participating in the challenge.

Explore the trails at Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve, where forests and marshes offer a change of scenery after a morning on the beach. Bring walking shoes and binoculars for a little birdwatching along the way.

Where to Eat

  • December dining: Black Pelican, Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar, and The Rundown Cafe will be open most of December (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
  • Christmas Eve options: Art’s Place, Barefoot Bernie’s Tropical Grill & Bar, and Hurricane Mo’s.
  • Christmas Day: Sanya Sushi Bar, Chinese Cuisine & Hibachi, and Vilai’s Thai Kitchen are set to be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
people at a christmas themed bar

 

Kill Devil Hills at Christmas

Kill Devil Hills has plenty to offer guests who want holiday shopping and several festive dining stops close together. The town’s holiday markets are a good place to find gifts made on the Outer Banks, while its Christmas pop-ups give you plenty of reasons to get out and mingle.

Holiday Events & Markets

The First Flight Holiday Markets take place on select dates in November and December at Aviation Park. Dozens of local vendors sell woodworking, photography, paintings, jewelry, candles, bath products, and delicious treats. Browse for gifts you won’t find at a chain store, and get some last-minute holiday shopping done.

12 Bars of Christmas Participants

Other Things to Do

Visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial to learn about the first flight, explore the exhibits, and walk the historic grounds. The park operates year-round but closes on Christmas Day.

Where to Eat

  • December dining: Mama Kwan’s, Outer Banks Brewing Station, and The Bonzer Shack will be open in December, but closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Christmas Eve options: Goombays and Noosa Beach Grille.
  • Christmas Day: Jolly Roger, Beachside Bistro, and Fuji Japanese Steakhouse will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Mother and daughter at a Christmas market

 

Nags Head Christmas

Nags Head has some of our favorite Outer Banks Christmas lights and holiday markets. A Thanksgiving-weekend visit puts you close to Jockey’s Ridge for Kites with Lights, while later visits offer opportunities for shopping, festive meals, and exploring the dunes.

Holiday Events & Christmas Lights

  • Kites with Lights: Around Thanksgiving weekend, Kitty Hawk Kites sends huge illuminated kites over the dunes at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. This free event also includes the lighting of the park’s solar Christmas tree. Warm beverages are available across the street at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing.
  • Hangin’ With Santa: The flagship Kitty Hawk Kites store hosts Santa visits and family activities during Thanksgiving weekend. Check the current schedule for photo opportunities and other activities.
  • Soundside Holiday Market: This late-November market at the Soundside Event Site brings together local makers and artisans, food trucks, Christmas music, and holiday character appearances.
  • Dowdy Park Holiday Markets: Select Saturdays in November and December feature local vendors selling handmade gifts and seasonal goods.

12 Bars of Christmas Participants

Other Things to Do

Return to Jockey’s Ridge State Park for a walk across the dunes or take in a sunset over the sound. Beachcombing and a drive south to photograph Bodie Island Lighthouse are other ways to enjoy a winter afternoon.

Where to Eat

  • December dining: Blue Moon Beach Grill, Sam & Omie’s, Lucky 12 Tavern, and Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe are open during December, but closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Christmas Eve options: Dune Street Raw Bar & Grill, Single Fin Bistro Bar & Grille, and Greentails Seafood Market & Kitchen will be open.
  • Christmas Day: Mulligan’s Raw Bar & Grille and New China Buffet will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Blurry lights on a christmas tree

 

Downtown Manteo Christmas

Christmas celebrations in downtown Manteo light up the town’s waterfront streets and local shops. Come for the tree lighting and parade in early December, or plan a later visit for shopping, lunch, and an evening at the spectacular WinterLights event.

Holiday Events & Christmas Lights

  • Merry Market: Held in late November, this holiday market offers an early opportunity to shop for seasonal gifts.
  • Christmas Tree Lighting: Downtown Manteo gathers in early December for holiday entertainment, children’s activities, and the lighting of the town’s Christmas tree.
  • Manteo Christmas Parade: The early-December parade brings floats, performers, community groups, and Santa through town.
  • WinterLights at the Elizabethan Gardens: This ticketed event illuminates the gardens on select evenings in late November and December. Grab hot cocoa from the Gingerbread House, walk among the light displays, and warm up beside the open-air fire. Select nights will even include live entertainment to get you in the yuletide spirit.

12 Bars of Christmas Participants

Other Things to Do

Browse downtown galleries and shops, walk the waterfront, and enjoy a hot cup of coffee along the way.

Where to Eat

  • December dining: Lost Colony Tavern, Darrell’s Restaurant, and Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar are open during December, but closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Christmas Eve options: Poor Richard’s Sandwich Shop, Front Porch Cafe, and Mia’s Bake Shop & Tea Room will be open.
  • Christmas Day: Currently, no restaurants are confirmed to be open in Manteo on Christmas Day.
Santa at Christmas Parade

 

Hatteras Island Christmas

A Hatteras Island Christmas is ideal for families who want quiet beaches, long walks, and plenty of time spent together. Holiday markets and a village parade add to the festivities this time of year.

Holiday Events & Markets

  • Hatteras Island Arts and Craft Guild Holiday Show: Held around Thanksgiving weekend in Buxton, this show features regional artists and craftspeople selling handmade gifts and coastal artwork.
  • Hatteras Village Christmas Parade: In December, decorated vehicles, floats, local organizations, and community groups join the village’s annual holiday procession. Check the current schedule for the parade time and viewing locations.

Other Things to Do

Spend a clear day exploring the beaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, watching shorebirds, and looking for shells. On colder or rainy days, the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum offers exhibits about the coast’s maritime and shipwreck history. Admission is free; the museum closes on Sundays, Mondays, and state holidays, so check holiday closures before visiting.

Where to Eat

  • December dining: Tavern on 12 and Kat’s Deli will be open during December, but closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
  • Christmas Eve options: Oceana’s Bistro, Lighthouse Sports Bar & Grill, and Waves Market & Deli will be open.
  • Christmas Day: Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Confirm hours before heading over, and make separate plans for Christmas dinner.
exterior view of outer banks vacation home with ocean in background

Find Your Holiday Home for the Holidays at Brindley Beach

At Brindley Beach, our inventory of Outer Banks vacation rentals offers something for every type of traveler. Choose from oceanfront homes and pet-friendly properties. Browse large homes big enough for grandparents and cousins, or keep it simple with a single-family beach house. Whatever you’re looking for, our local team can help you secure the perfect Christmas stay.

Browse our full inventory, set your dates, and book directly with us for the best rate on your stay.

Don’t forget to check out our specials!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is anything open in the Outer Banks at Christmas?

Yes. Restaurants, shops, and attractions operate across the Outer Banks during December, although some businesses close for the winter or reduce their hours. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have more limited availability, so confirm those dates separately.

What is the weather like in the Outer Banks in December?

Outer Banks Christmas weather is generally cool, with average December lows around 40°F and highs around 55°F. Wind off the water can make beach walks and evening events feel colder. Pack layers, a warm coat, comfortable closed-toe shoes, and a rain jacket.

Are there Christmas events in the Outer Banks?

Yes! Outer Banks Christmas events include tree lightings, holiday markets, Christmas parades, WinterLights at the Elizabethan Gardens, Kites with Lights, and the 12 Bars of Christmas pop-ups. Many markets and community celebrations happen around Thanksgiving or early December. Check individual schedules if you’re planning a Christmas-week stay.

Can you rent a beach house for Christmas week in the Outer Banks?

You most certainly can rent an Outer Banks beach house for Christmas week. Search your exact dates with Brindley Beach and book directly for the best rates compared to third-party sites like Airbnb or Vrbo.

Do Outer Banks restaurants stay open in December?

Many do, but seasonal closures and reduced hours are common. A restaurant open during December may still close on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Use the town-by-town suggestions above to start planning, or review the Outer Banks official Restaurant Openings guide for a full list of the region’s restaurants and their holiday schedules.

Does it snow in the Outer Banks at Christmas?

It can snow on the Outer Banks, but you shouldn’t count on a white Christmas. Plan for cool coastal weather and keep an eye on the forecast for your travel dates..

Is December a good time to visit the Outer Banks?

Yes, especially if you want a quieter beach vacation built around family time, holiday outings, and outdoor activities.