After a long, long respite, people are coming back to our beaches. We are thrilled to see familiar friends and new faces, and we hope everybody visiting Corolla and the Currituck beaches enjoys an unforgettable vacation. To put it plainly, we are back! Events we sadly postponed one year ago have returned to the summer schedule, and if you are in the area between mid-June and early September we hope to find you at one or more.
All of our signature summertime events take place at Historic Corolla Park, a wonderful place to visit any time of year. During the week you can climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse for one of the best views in the county, walk the many nature trails, or tour the enchanting Whalehead for a taste of Currituck history. Don’t forget to mark your calendars, though, for these must-attend festivities:
Find a new treasure!
Under the Oaks Arts Festival
Tuesday & Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., June 22nd & 23rd, 2021
Our annual Under the Oaks Art Festival offers a colorful array of vibrant artworks and crafts on the grounds of the postcard-perfect setting of Whalehead. This popular festival brings together a collection of talented artists, and visitors can expect to find paintings and prints, photography, pottery, jewelry, woodwork, and much more. The festival is free for all attendees, and local food concessions are available as well as a silent art auction that is open to the public. This is a great opportunity to pick up some local treasures that are truly one-of-a-kind. In addition, Molasses Creek will be performing live on June 23 from 1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.!
Cheers!
Corolla Cork & Craft
Wednesdays 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. June 16th – September 8th, 2021
One of our most popular summer events, Whalehead Wednesdays, has a new name. Join us each week for local wine & beer tastings and curated craft artisans in the breathtaking and peaceful setting of Historic Corolla Park.
Your $15 General Admission ticket (the event is free, however, if you’re not drinking), gets you a souvenir wine glass, a complementary tour of Whalehead, and samples from featured vendors such as Sanctuary Vineyards, Vineyards on the Scuppernong, Chatham Hill Winery and the Weeping Radish Brewery, the oldest microbrewery in North Carolina. Live music from some of our favorite area musicians rounds out this lively summer experience.
Please bring a photo ID if you are interested in purchasing a ticket, and note that no outside alcohol is permitted on the grounds. Dogs on a leash, however, are most welcome!
Come celebrate with us.
Independence Day Celebration
Monday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. (or when the fireworks end), July 5th, 2021
Please note this event takes place on July 5th, due to Independence Day falling on a Sunday this year.
What better way to celebrate America’s independence than with free live music and a spectacular firework show on the The Northern Outer Banks! Our annual Independence Day Celebration offers loads of fun family activities and food provided by local vendors.
Activities begin at 5:00 p.m. with fireworks at dusk. Admission is free and free parking is available at the park until the lots are full. Please note that no coolers, alcohol or on-street parking is permitted. Also, the Historic Corolla Park boat ramp is closed on this day, with no docking allowed. Leashed dogs are permitted on the grounds, but please be mindful that the fireworks will make noise!
This year’s entertainment includes a watermelon eating contest, cornhole tournament, kids’ dance contest, and live musical performances. Local food vendors include Fork’et Me Not, McGrath’s Burger Shack, On the Spot Creamery, Tull’s Creek Concession, and OBX Popcorn Shoppe.
Yoga in the Park
Thursdays at 7:30 a.m., June 3rd – September 2nd, 2021
Strike a pose and start your Thursday mornings off right! This summer, instructor Rosie Sharkey will convene free 60-minute Yoga classes for practitioners of all skill levels. Whether you need a good long stretch after being in the car, or a chance to escape the craziness in your vacation rental, this class has just what you need. Every session includes guided meditation to re-center you, breath work to calm you, and a series of seated and standing postures to make you feel like your best self.
These weekly classes are held outside in front of Whalehead, overlooking the beautiful Currituck Sound. Participants must be 13 years or older, and those aged 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring a yoga mat, beach towel or tapestry, plenty of water and sun protection. In the event of rain or inclement weather, classes may be canceled.
Get your team together and win cool prizes.
Corolla Cornhole Tournaments
Wednesdays 4:15 p.m. – 7 p.m. June 16th – September 8th, 2021
Head to one of the prettiest spots in Corolla for an engaging series of cornhole tournaments that will challenge competitive family members of all ages. The Corolla Cornhole Tournament will start Wednesday, June 16th and run through September 8th. Teams will compete in a double elimination tournament with a limit of 16 teams. Competitors must register as a team. The cost to register is $20 per team, and each week winners and runners-up will receive a prize from the Currituck County Department of Travel & Tourism. At the end of the season, all first prize winners will be entered into a drawing for a fabulous grand prize: a beach vacation donated by Brindley Beach Vacations!
Advanced registration is highly recommended, but you may also register from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on the day of each event. Cornhole boards and bags are provided for players. To pre-register, please call 252-453-9040.
Please note that all dates and/or vendors for these events are subject to change and/or cancellation. We encourage you to follow the Currituck OBX Events Facebook page for updates and new additions to our summer calendar. See you soon!
