An Outer Banks New Year

If you’re looking for an extra special OBX New Year celebration, you’re in luck! Ring in the new year Outer Banks style your way, with a variety of celebrations to choose from. An OBX New Year’s Eve will be a memorable one, no matter where you find yourself celebrating. There’s something for all ages, from fireworks to good food to balloon drops, as well as festive Outer Banks events throughout the week leading up to New Year’s Eve. If you’re searching for a hearty meal on New Year’s Day, we have some suggestions for you to start your year off right.

Midnight Magic in Downtown Manteo The Jolly Roger New Year's Eve Party NYE Party at Outer Banks Brewing Station Corolla Christmas Village WinterLights at The Elizabethan Gardens The 12 Bars of Christmas New Year's Eve Dinner Out Good Eats on New Year's Day

Midnight Magic in Downtown Manteo

When: December 31st, beginning at 6:00 pm
Where: Downtown Manteo

Midnight Magic in Downtown Manteo is an evening festival and street fair in Manteo, NC, on Roanoke Island. Downtown Manteo is closing the streets for this fair and celebration. There will be live music, a kids zone, local food trucks, and the most extensive midnight New Year’s Eve fireworks display in North Carolina! The restaurants and bars downtown are also staying open late for the event. Free parking is available at Roanoke Island Festival Park.

The Jolly Roger New Year’s Eve Party

When: December 31st
Where: The Jolly Roger, 1836 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills

The Jolly Roger, a local restaurant and favorite for late-night entertainment, is having a New Year’s Eve special event starting at 4:00 pm. They will have dinner specials and will also be serving their full menu, which will include seafood, steaks, Italian dishes, prime rib, and many delicious, homemade desserts.

The event is free and has no cover charge. There will be karaoke, dancing, party favors, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Additionally, a traditional “good luck” meal of kielbasa, black-eyed peas, and sauerkraut will be served after midnight to ensure prosperity. Come celebrate with the locals to see how we ring in the new year!

NYE Party at Outer Banks Brewing Station

When: December 31st, 10:30 pm to 2:00 am
Where: Outer Banks Brewing Station, 600 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Ring in the new year at Outer Banks Brewing Station’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Start your evening with dinner, and then join the party, which runs from 10:30 pm to 2:00 am. Great music, a balloon drop, and a champagne toast at midnight. This Outer Banks Brewing Station event is for adults 21 or older only.

Corolla Christmas Village

When: December 27th & 28th, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: Historic Corolla Village

Still in the Christmas spirit? Head to Historic Corolla Village for the final two nights of Corolla Christmas Village. Santa has returned to the North Pole, but you still have the opportunity to enjoy a festive holiday atmosphere, complete with twinkling holiday lights and local food vendors.

WinterLights

When: December 26th, 27th, & 28th, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Where: The Elizabethan Gardens, 1411 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954

Stroll through the illuminated pathways of The Elizabethan Gardens transformed into a winter wonderland. Holiday lights give the ten-acre gardens an enchanted glow during WinterLights. The gift shop and nursery will have seasonal plants and gifts available throughout the event.

The 12 Bars of Christmas

When: November 29th through December 31st
Where: The following 12 businesses in Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo

Christmas may have passed, but The 12 Bars of Christmas stay merry through New Year’s Eve. Get your passport and see how many of the 12 Bars of Christmas you can visit during your stay.

Outer Banks Brewing Station as “Christmas Vacation Station”

Outer Banks Distilling as “Deck the Hulls”

Goombays Grille & Raw Bar as “Goombrrrs”

Jolly Roger Restaurant as “Holly Jolly Christmas”

Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint KDH “Jack Frost’s”

Lucky 12 Tavern as “Jingle 12 Tavern”

Mama Kwan’s Tiki Bar & Grill as “Mama Klaus’s”

Two Roads Tavern as “McCallister’s Corner”

Blue Water Grill & Raw Bar as “North Pole Yacht Club”

Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe as “‘Ol Cedar Brown’s”

Poor Richards Sandwich Shop as “Poor Rudolph’s”

Bonzer Shack as “The Broken Candy Cane”

Outer Banks New Year’s Eve Dinner Out

If you are looking for something a little more intimate and low-key, there are loads of restaurants to choose from. Here are some of our favorites.

The Paper Canoe

1184 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949

Experience new American gourmet cuisine and an unforgettable view of the Currituck Sound at The Paper Canoe. Celebrate New Year’s Eve with fresh seafood and rustic wood oven specialties with a gorgeous winter sunset as your backdrop.

NC Coast Grill & Bar

1184 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949

Casual dining and cocktails at NC Coast Grill & Bar located right in the heart of Duck Village. Enjoy delicious food and cocktails to celebrate the new year. Go early to watch the last beautiful sunset of the year on the Currituck Sound.

Aqua Restaurant

1174 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949

Offering locally sourced fare and a soundfront venue with a deck, your New Year’s Eve dining experience at Aqua will feature unique cuisine and a gorgeous view of the Currituck Sound.

JK’s Restaurant

1106 S Croatan Hwy in Kill Devil Hills, NC

JK’s Restaurant is a classy spot serving premium, wood-fired land and sea fare in a wood-finished beach house for a cozy New Year’s Eve experience.

Where to Eat on the Outer Banks New Year’s Day

After a long night out, a hearty meal is an ideal way to begin the new year. These Outer Banks restaurants are open on New Year’s Day, whether you’re looking for a sweet breakfast or a juicy burger.

Art’s Place

4624 N Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Home of (arguably) the best burger on the Outer Banks, Art’s Place is a modest restaurant on the beach road in Kitty Hawk. The burgers and sweet potato fries will start your new year off right. They also serve breakfast if you’re out and about earlier than lunch time.

Bangkok Thai Sushi

1177 Duck Road #11, Duck, NC 27949

Get your first sushi fix of the year at Bangkok Thai Sushi in the Scarborough Lane Shoppes in Duck. If you’re not into sushi, the pineapple fried rice and veggies lo mein are amazingly tasty.

Duck Donuts

603D Currituck Clubhouse Drive, Corolla, NC 27927
1190 Duck Road, Duck, NC 27949
5230 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
1716 N. Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
5000 S. Croatan Highway Unit M 25, Nags Head, NC 27959

With locations in almost every Outer Banks town, getting your donut fix is easy. Duck Donuts offers fresh donuts, served warm and with the toppings of your choice. Their unique stores offer the opportunity to watch your donuts cook and then be topped with various fixings.

If you are looking for everyday things to do in December, there’s plenty to do and see on the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks has lots to choose from, no matter what your holiday style! Whether you want to celebrate all day with good eats, see extraordinary fireworks on New Year’s Eve, go out to a romantic dinner, stroll through sparkling holiday lights, or mix and match these activities, the OBX can accommodate you. Whatever you choose, we’re happy you’re here to celebrate the new year with us, Outer Banks style!