Are you ready to spend New Year’s Eve differently? Tired of the same old, overbearing NYE nightclubs and hefty entry fees? Well, it’s high time you departed from the norm and spent the last days of 2024 in the Outer Banks.
From Corolla to Hatteras, there’s not only a whole coastline to explore but a flurry of islands, each with its own story to tell. Read on to uncover some of the best bars to visit and the biggest events that will help make this New Year’s Eve your best one yet.
2024 New Year’s Eve Events in the Outer Banks
You’ve come all this way, so why not enjoy the best? Here is where and why you should spend your NYE in Outer Banks!
Manteo New Year’s Eve Celebration
- manteonc.gov/new-years-eve
- Downtown Manteo, NC
Let’s kick it off with a family favorite. Manteo’s New Year’s Eve Celebration, also known ad Midnight Magic, covers all bases. Starting at 6 pm, there are kid’s zones, with games, characters, and quests that will have the young ones entertained right up until the early countdown and prismatic fireworks display.
Vendors and food trucks are found throughout, cooking up OBX eats and your favorite drinks as the hours dwindle. As you wander, you’ll find your hips swinging to the beat as live music tunes from local acts float through the air.
Some of the younger crowd will filter out, but don’t worry, the good times roll on ‘til midnight as you welcome 2025 with a bang!
Outer Banks Brewing Station
- obbrewing.com/event/nye-party
- 600 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC
If you’re in the Outer Banks for New Year’s Eve, there’s a chance you may have also embarked on an adventure to the 12 Bars of Christmas and had a beverage at the Christmas Vacation Station, aka the Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills.
With Christmas in the rearview mirror, this brewery puts on arguably the best New Year’s Eve Party along the coast. For those who really want to wake up with a memorable and well-earned hangover, celebrate the new year with great live music, champagne toast, and even a balloon drop as you ring in 2025 in style.
The event begins at 10.30 pm and has a small cover fee.
Top New Year’s Eve Things to Do in Outer Banks
Your Outer Banks experience will be more than just one memorable night. Let’s see how you can fill out the rest of your itinerary.
Explore Jockey’s Ridge State Park
In Dare County, Jockey’s Ridge State Park features the tallest living sand dune system found on the east coast. There are few better ways to pass the time as you await the NYE festivities than with a mix of hiking, paddling, and, yes, even sandboarding!
There’s a little something for everyone at Jockey’s Ridge. A few minutes north of Nags Head, the state park faces the Roanoke Sound, where migratory birds nest in the trees, and the Soundside Nature Trail leads you to the water’s edge of manatees and dolphin pods that have been spotted.
If you’re chasing the stoke, then sandboarding is the answer. With Kitty Hawk Kites, you can rent the sandboards for a couple of hours or a whole day! First come, first served.
Eat Your Way Through OBX
Nothing says vacation quite like loosening a view belt buckles and exploring the best eats at your chosen destination. Here in the Outer Banks, from Kill Devil Hills to Nags Head, you’ll find a grand range of different cuisine, each infused with local flavor and fresh catch from the local waters.
You can stick close by to your vacation rentals or venture across the local bridges, the choice is yours. But what you’ll find are spots worthy of your time on the very last day of the year. Even restaurants that will soothe you back to health on New Year’s Day.
Ready to dine? Here are our picks for the best NYE restaurants in the Outer Banks:
Go Lighthouse Hunting
In the winter months, traffic along the Beach Road and the Outer Banks lightens up. It’s the perfect time to put the car in drive and explore.
North Carolina’s historic barrier islands harbor some of the country’s most romantic and spectacular lighthouses. The stunning and ancient structures were once a pivotal aspect of marine safety along the coast. Today, they stand as mesmerizing ornaments to OBX’s early years.
The ability to climb the best lighthouses in the Outer Banks varies in the quieter winter months. However, with the cool December breeze floating in off the coast, there’s no prettier and more serene time to see them from ground level.
Here are some of our favorite Outer Banks lighthouses that you should add to your New Year’s Eve vacation:
- Bodie Island Lighthouse
- Currituck Beach Lighthouse
- Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Start The Fun Early with a Brewery Crawl
There’s adventure, food, and beautiful lighthouses on the itinerary. To round out the experience, let’s bring the New Year’s Eve shenanigans forward a day or two with a trip along the OBX Beer, Wine & Spirits Trail.
The trail takes you from the North Beaches by Roanoke Island and all the way down to Hatteras Island. With each stop, you’ll dig deeper into Outer Banks’ rich tradition of beer, wine, and spirits, with plenty of good times along the way.
There are over ten stops along the trail so you’ll want to pick your favorites ahead of time. That’s where we come in with some of our faves!
- Kitty Hawk steps up once more with the Vineyard Voyage that takes you across the Currituck Sound to a 4WD exploration of Sanctuary Vineyards.
- Next up, make your way to Outer Banks Distilling Company. Come and discover local rum infused with the stories of North Carolina’s notoriety as a graveyard for ships.
- Finish off with a visit to the Mothervine, said to be the oldest cultivated grapevine in modern US history, producing a sweet drop.
As always, enjoy responsibly. But if you wish to leave the driving to others, check out the OBX Party Bus.
Packing For New Year’s Eve in Outer Banks
Although it won’t be a true escape from the cold northern winters, Outer Banks’ mild December weather will offer a welcome reprieve for visitors. Temperatures hover in the low 50s throughout the day and dipper to around the mid-40s in the evening.
Fill up your luggage with light and cozy layers that will keep you warm but not be overbearing as you wander along the oceanfront, explore the town, and enjoy a meal on the heated restaurant patio.
Must-need items:
- Base layers
- Sweater
- Light Jacket/Windbreaker
- Walking & Going Out Shoes
- One Fabulous NYE Outfit
Book Your New Year Stay in the Outer Banks
Although NYE may be the focus, when vacationing in late December, the trip always takes place more than just the last few hours of the year. The entire experience will be a multi-day event as you explore the barrier islands, eat incredible food, and try the local tipple with gorgeous views. All before the countdown even begins!
Now that you’re ready to ring in 2025 in Outer Banks, why not stay with us at First Flight Rentals? Our properties feature pet-friendly accommodations, private hot tubs, and options for oceanfront views.