Want to ring in the New Year with new experiences? Why not head to the Outer Banks this holiday season? Celebrating New Year’s Eve in the Outer Banks is a great way to get your family and friends together for one last hurrah at the end of a long year. Whether you choose to have a night on the town at some of the best Outer Banks bars and restaurants, or you’d like to take the kids out for a colorful fireworks display and early ball drop, the Outer Banks has something for everyone!
For more activities and attractions to fill your itinerary with for the rest of the week, make sure to unlock our complimentary Outer Banks Vacation Guide. It offers an array of activities from restaurants to outdoor recreation to popular events around town, and more!
Here are the Best Ways to Spend New Year’s Eve on OBX
Outer Banks Nightlife
This year, there are several fantastic bars, restaurants, or breweries to choose from for the perfect night out.
Outer Banks Brewing Station
Outer Banks Brewing Station is an excellent place to celebrate the new year! The brewery throws a New Year’s Eve party with a special three-course menu, live music, or DJ, and a champagne toast.
Not only does this Kill Devil Hills restaurant and brewery offer a lively backdrop to an OBX New Year’s Eve party, but it also offers a little bit of OBX history as it resembles a modern lifesaving station. We highly recommend that you check it out for yourself this NYE!
Go on a New Year’s Eve Bar Crawl
Even though Christmas has passed, the fun continues with the 12 Bars of Christmas, which runs until New Year’s Eve. This festive bar crawl includes 12 bars and restaurants that take on jolly names such as Jack Frost’s and the North Pole Yacht Club. You can find all sorts of creative beverages and dishes during this bar crawl, from a Merry Mezcal Old Fashioned to the Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe Margarita. Hungry? The imaginative monikers extend to food as well, with dishes like Grinch Fingers (fried green beans), and Scrooge’s seafood basket. So, if you’re looking for a delightful evening, the 12 Bars of Christmas is a very merry way to ring in the New Year.
Make a Reservation for New Years Eve Dinner
Looking for something a bit more refined? Then make a reservation at one of these elevated eateries for your New Year’s Eve dinner. You’ll be glad you did.
- Metropolis in Corolla is a chic restaurant that serves tapas and small plates, such as petite crab cakes and pan seared local jumbo sea scallops. They also have an extensive martini menu, as well, perfect for a New Year’s Eve toast.
- Broken Plate Kitchen, also in Corolla, serves elevated American classics such as the wedge salad, blackened snapper, and ribeye steak. With a focus on fresh and seasonal fare, Broken Plate delivers flavors that will delight you.
- AQUA Restaurant in Duck is all about using local ingredients to create memorable dishes. Enjoy the signature sweet corn and crab soup, along with a mixed green salad. Move on to the Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast or the Chef’s Daily Fish special, caught from local waters.
New Year’s Eve for the Runners
Tortuga’s Lie Unofficial Blue Moon New Year’s Eve 5K
Run, don’t walk, to this exciting annual event in Nags Head, North Carolina. Tortuga’s Lie Unofficial Blue Moon New Year’s Eve 5K is an OBX tradition that running enthusiasts should not miss out on. Avoid the heat that usually comes with daytime races under the sun and run into the new year under the moon instead. It’s free, and you don’t need to register beforehand. Just show up on Beach Road in your best running shoes and with a positive attitude going into the new year!
The Ultimate Spot for Outer Banks Fireworks
Manteo New Year’s Eve Celebration
Manteo’s New Year’s Eve Celebration is a vibrant, family-friendly event right on the water in downtown Manteo, NC. Start the evening’s festivities as the sun begins to set and make the best family memories with games and activities with the little ones in the kids’ zone, where they’ll enjoy live music, fireworks, and an early ball drop. That way, you can get the kiddos in bed on time, and they’ll be fully energized for another day of vacation memories in the morning.
Start the New Year in One of the Best Outer Banks Vacation Rentals
Whether you plan to watch the ball drop from the comfort of your OBX vacation rental, surrounded by your favorite people in PJs, or you need the perfect place to rest your head after dancing the night away, Paramount Destinations offers comfort and convenience for the best Outer Banks getaway.
Stay in a large-family-sized rental or intimate and romantic condo near all the NYE action. Our rentals offer the ultimate Outer Banks experience with ocean views, proximity to popular attractions, full kitchens, hot tubs, and private pools!
