If you’re thinking about taking a trip during the most wonderful time of the year, consider spending it on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The barrier islands have tons of activities and events to offer this season. Make your days merry and bright with an Outer Banks Christmas with the family. In addition to the phenomenal holiday events, the Outer Banks offers a myriad of magical things to do during your winter getaway. For more suggestions, take a look at our free Vacation Guide!
How to Have an Outer Banks Christmas
Explore WinterLights at the Elizabethan Garden
The most enchanting, illuminated garden awaits you at WinterLights in Manteo, NC. The gardens become a winter wonderland during the cool months. After, admiring twinkling Christmas lights all throughout the garden, step into the gift shop to warm up, or spend some time telling stories around the toasty fire!
Attend a Christmas Parade
One of the best ways to keep the kids entertained this time of year is by taking them to see a big Christmas parade! On the Outer Banks, you have the option of attending the Hatteras Village Christmas Parade where you can enjoy cookies and hot chocolate as well as a climb up the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. You can also attend the Manteo Christmas Parade and admire creative floats, festive music, and more.
Duck’s Yuletide Celebration
At Duck’s Yuletide Celebration, you wander through Duck Village and mark off your “Great Yuletide Elf Hunt Passport” at various shops and locations. Once you complete your passport, turn it in to receive a gift for children, and you’ll be entered to win a gift basket! Afterward, admire the lighting of the Crab Pot tree, listen to carolers from First Flight High School, enjoy hot chocolate, and wait for Santa’s arrival at Duck Town Park as you listen to live holiday music!
Visit the 12 Bars of Christmas
Do you love a good bar crawl? Well then, the 12 Bars of Christmas are calling your name! A dozen bars and restaurants participate in this jolly tradition by putting up decorations and changing their names to festive monikers such as The Jingle 12 Tavern and The Broken Candy Cane. You can find these bars all around the Outer Banks, in Nags Head, Manteo, Kill Devil Hills, and more. Enjoy Christmas tiki-cocktails, spiked eggnog, Mama Klaus’s Espresso Martini, and many more creative drinks. Grab a “passport” and get stamps at each bar that you visit, and if you collect them all, you can receive a keepsake ornament! Most of the bars and restaurants are family-friendly and offer kid-friendly beverages, allowing you to bring the whole family along. Don’t feel like driving? Hop onboard the VIP bus tour and let the Outer Banks Party Bus shuttle you around. If this sounds like it’s up your alley, don your favorite Christmas sweater and enjoy some very merry drinks!
Shop at the Outer Banks Christmas Shop and General Store
Looking for an ornament or a unique gift you can’t get anywhere else? Visit Manteo’s very own Christmas Shop and General Store. This Christmas themed store has everything you could possibly want, including locally made products, from jewelry and artwork to candy and gourmet foods! If you have been searching for the perfect place to pick up gifts for the holidays or want a new ornament for your tree, this store is the place to visit!
Ring in the New Year on the Outer Banks
If you’re staying long enough to celebrate the New Year as well, check out some of these exciting events:
- New Year in the New World
- Olde Christmas in Rodanthe (an Outer Banks holiday tradition!)
Celebrate the Holidays With Paramount Destinations
Gather the entire family for an Outer Banks Christmas this year, including the furry members! We offer large, luxury vacation rentals on the beach so you can have the perfect coastal getaway with your entire family. The best holiday memories are made in the home as you spend quality time together.
Stay in our Sea the Green vacation rental in Corolla, NC. This pet-friendly accommodation is perfect for making family memories because it has a fantastic living room area with a flat-screen TV, a wet bar, a game area with board games, a basketball hoop, a patio, a grill, and a private pool!
Don’t forget to bring your dog to this pet-friendly rental. You can avoid the expensive pet boarding fees and any separation stress from your pet this holiday season. So, what are you waiting for?
Check our availability and book the best holiday vacation on the Outer Banks today!
Don’t get tricked! Save money when you book direct. Booking through third-party websites can often lead to hidden costs and fees. Our Outer Banks Christmas rental rates are clear as a bell so you can have the best OBX vacation experience!
