We’ve compiled the best Hatteras Island activities, events and fun things to do on the Outer Banks for August 13 – August 20. Below you will find events just for the kids, family events, evening events and a lot of FREE activities to make your Hatteras Island vacation unforgettable!
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
National Park Service Program: Especially for Kids
Time: 11:00 am to 11:45 am. Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This program offers hands-on activities that allow kids to have fun learning about the seashore. Check at the visitor center to learn the topic of the day. Free for all ages.
Monday, August 15
Digeridoo Down Under
Hatteras Library – 9:30 AM. This is a high-energy, Australia-themed program that combines music, puppetry, comedy, and audience participation. This program is free and will last approximately 1 hour. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. The Hatteras library is located directly off of Hwy 12 in the heart of Hatteras village, between the post office and fire station. For more information, call (252)986-2385.
August 16-18
REAL Kids Camp
Time: 10am – 4pm. Location: REAL Watersports in Waves village
Get your son or daughter into the water in a safe and positive instructional environment with the REAL Kids Camp! Let the coaches at REAL show your kids the ropes in and around the water. Surfing, Kiteboarding, Standup Paddleboarding and more. Ages 7-12. Call for information: (866)REAL-548 | (252)987-6000 or visit: REALWatersports.com
Tuesday, August 16
Muster 1861: Children’s Civil War Programs
10:30am – 11:30am at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located south of the ferry docks in Hatteras Village. Free admission. Call (252)986-2995 or visit graveyardoftheatlantic.com
Tuesday, August 16
Free Kid’s Day with Kitty Hawk Kites -Hatteras & Avon Villages
2 locations and times: 10am -12pm in Hatteras Village -at Hatteras Landing Shops, next to the ferry
4pm – 6pm in Avon village
Shoot water guns, get your face painted, and try out the newest toys and games. For more information, visit kittyhawk.com
Wednesday, August 17
Free Kid’s Day with Kitty Hawk Kites -Rodanthe Village
4pm -7pm at the Kitty Hawk Kites store in Rodanthe at Waves Village. Shoot water guns, get your face painted, and try out the newest toys and games. For more information, visit kittyhawk.com
Wednesday, August 17
Art Under the Oaks
2pm to 5pm at Blue Pelican Gallery in Hatteras village. Ages 4 to 12. This event is free, but please pre-register by calling (252) 986-2244. www.facebook.com/bluepelicangallery.
Thursday, August 18
Children’s Nautical Crafts (ages 3+)
10:30am – noon at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, located south of the ferry docks in Hatteras Village. Free admission. Call (252)986-2995 or visit graveyardoftheatlantic.com
Friday, August 19
Kid’s Painting Class
1pm-2pm at Indian Town Gallery – mile post 65 in Frisco.
This fun art class if for kids ages 6 and up. The cost is $15 and includes materials. What a great vacation memento to bring home from the beach! Please pre-register by calling (252)995-5181.
FOR THE FAMILY
Monday & Thursday nights
Waterfront Concerts at REAL Watersports
6-10pm The Kona Summer Concert Series featuring The Wilder Brothers Monday nights and MoJo Collins on Thursday nights! -This is a family friendly event! Enjoy the concert outside on the waterfront deck at the REAL Flagship Store in the Village of Waves. Dinner and drinks are available at all shows from MOJOs Sunset Café. Enjoying live music on the Bermuda grass lawn area on a beach blanket or chair is the best way to wrap up any day in Cape Hatteras with your family! For more information, call 252-987-6000.
Thursday, August 18 & Friday, August 19
Chain Saw Art Sculpting Demo
Time: 11am – 4pm Watch chain saw sculptor Nick Tucci sculpt amazing art with a chainsaw! Location: Indian Town Gallery – Mile post 65 in Frisco village. For more information, call (252)995-5181
Thursday, August 18
Sea Glass Wrapping Jewelry Class
Time: 10am – 1:30pm (Classes run 30 minutes and start on the ½ hour -reservations required!). Location: Indian Town Gallery – Mile post 65 in Frisco village. Learn to wrap a piece of sea glass into a necklace pendant with instructor Betty Kungle. Class size is limited to 8, so call early to make reservations! $10 per person plus a $5 kit fee which includes a piece of genuine sea glass! For more information call Indian Town Gallery at 252-995-5181.
Friday, August 19
Advanced Sea Glass Jewelry
Time: 2 classes to choose from: 2:30pm and 4:30pm Location: Indian Town Gallery – Mile post 65 in Frisco village
Advanced sea glass necklace class lasts about 2 hours and costs $30. In this class, students will make a complete sea glass necklace using beading and wrapping techniques. Ages 12 and up. Please call and pre-register for all classes. For more information call Indian Town Gallery at 252-995-5181.
Friday, August 19
Frisco Jubilee Live Music Performance
The Frisco Jubilee is an evening of musical entertainment for the whole family comprised of some of the best performers from Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Locals and tourists alike have discovered the rich musical heritage that exists on the Outer Banks and at the Jubilee you will hear some great music that ranges from standards and blues to bluegrass and gospel as well as original poetry. The Frisco Jubilee performance is at The Little Grove Methodist Church, mile post 67 in Frisco. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are sold at the door for $10 per person. Call 252-995-3540 for more information.
Saturday, August 13 & 20
Join us for a good ole fashion Fish Fry at two locations on Hatteras Island: Hatteras Village and Avon Village, every Saturday evening in the summer.
Hatteras Village Fish Fry. 5-7pm
Hatteras Fire Station, 57689 NC 12
Enjoy locally caught fried fish along with hushpuppies, cole slaw and potato salad. For almost six decades, the folks in Hatteras Village have hosted this fish fry. Sponsoring the fish fry is the Ladies Auxiliary at the fire department. Proceeds go to the Ladies Auxiliary, the Hatteras United Methodist Church and the Hatteras Village Civic Association.
Kinnakeet (Avon Village) Fish Fry. 5-7pm
Avon Fire Station, 40159 Harbor Rd.
Enjoy fried fish, locally caught by Kinnakeet watermen. The fish fries fund civic association programs.
More fun FAMILY activities:
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum offers weekly events throughout the summer. Admission is free and the museum is fun for all ages! 
The museum is located south of the ferry docks in Hatteras Village and is open Monday – Saturday 10am to 4pm.
Monday: Maritime Movies showing at 11am and 2pm
Tuesday:“Tuesdays@2:00 Speaker’s Series-My Life as Taffy of Torpedo Junction-Carol Dillon 2pm-2:45pm
Wednesday: Island Quilting Traditions 10am to noon; Civil War Mini-talks with Drew Pullen 2pm -2:30pm and 3pm-3:30pm.
Thursday: Canvasback Decoys with Sam Green 12:30pm – 4pm
Friday: Maritime Movies showing at 11am and 2pm.
The Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Station and the National Park Service offer Daily Summer Programs. Below are some fun events for you to check out during your Hatteras Island vacation!
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN… Evening events on Hatteras Island offered by the Park Service
Tuesday, August 16
Evening Campfire
Time: 8:00pm. Location: Buxton Lifeguarded Beach. -Spend an evening under the stars hearing stories of the Outer Banks. Topics may include shipwrecks, pirates, sea life, and legends. Bring a beach chair, a blanket, flashlight, and bug spray.
Wednesday, August 17
Night Lights
Time: 8:30pm to 9:30pm. Location: Pre-register at Hatteras Island Visitor Center at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -Join a ranger for a short walk to search the tide line for glowing marine plankton and the sky for planets and constellations. Find out why protecting the dark is valuable to both people and wildlife.
Thursday, August 18
Night Climb 
Time: 8pm and 9pm. Location: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -Enjoy a guided tour of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. ..at NIGHT!
You will need to pre-purchase Night Climb tickets in person between 8:15 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the lighthouse ticket booth Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday on the week you intend to climb. Each program is limited to 30 participants and tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. Tickets are non-refundable and children must be at least 42″ tall. Bring a flashlight!
The Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Station Summer Programs
Time: All programs are at 2pm
Location: Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Station – 23645 NC Highway 12, or Milepost 39 ½ (Programs are outdoors and thus weather dependent. Programs are free with Regular Site Admission Fee)
Monday, August 15
Nights in Rodanthe the Movie — Behind the Scenes
Nearly all exterior scenes were actually filmed right here in Rodanthe, where Chicamacomico is located. Site Operations Manager, Linda Molloy, was cast as Jill Torrelson opposite Richard Gere in a brief but pivotal role. Come get the scoop! Linda will autograph and personalize your book and DVD purchases here for a truly unique vacation souvenir. Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Station
Tuesday, August 16
America’s Forgotten Heroes
Discover the forgotten yet fascinating history of the United States Life-Saving Service, the original “Storm Warriors” who were the predecessors of today’s U.S. Coast Guard… Absorb the unbelievable details of actual rescues done here, especially the dramatic SS Mirlo story- the most highly awarded maritime rescue in U.S. history, right here! Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Station
Wednesday, August 17
The Real Taffy Of Torpedo Junction
This fictional novel tells the daring antics of an independent young teenager living on Hatteras Island during World War II. ‘Taffy” was based on the real-life Carol Dillon, Hatteras Island native. She will enthrall you with her stories of what was fiction and what was not.Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Station
Thursday, August 18
Beach Apparatus Drill
The U.S. Life-Saving Service required all stations to practice this rescue method weekly. Chicamacomico is now one of only two places in the country– and the ONLY one to be performed by active-duty US Coast Guard personnel–that performs the complete Drill. It is recommended to arrive by 1:30. Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Station
Friday, August 19
What Really Happened to The Lost Colony?
Where did they go? Right here on Hatteras Island, where they actually first started. Scott Dawson’s compelling delivery will have you spellbound. Documentation & evidence abound. Chicamacomico U.S. Lifesaving Station
FREE Park Service Events:
The Cape Hatteras National Park offers FREE Hatteras Island events for the family and kids of all ages.
Daily in the Summer:
Sentinel of the Shore
Time: Daily 12:00pm to 12:30pm and 2:00pm to 2:30pm. Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -Learn about the rich history of, and future plans for, the park’s majestic lighthouses.
Daily in the Summer
Hatteras Island – Pirates!
Time: Daily from 4:00pm to 4:30pm. Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -In the 1700’s, pirates frequently visited the Outer Banks. Find out why the area was so attractive to pirates and how the golden age of piracy dramatically ended.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Hatteras Island – Soundside Snorkeling
Time: 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Location: Pre-register at Hatteras Island Visitor Center at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -It’s not the Caribbean, but the shallow waters of the Pamlico Sound are home to an array of small fish, shrimp, and crabs. Limited to 20 participants.
Monday, Wednesday & Friday
Civil War on the Outer Banks
Time: 5:00pm to 5:30pm. Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -Join a ranger for a view of the Outer Banks’ role in the Civil War!
Tuesday
Old Days at the Weather Station
Time: 3:30pm to 4:15pm. Location: Hatteras U.S. Weather Bureau Station, in the heart of Hatteras Village. 
Join this tour of the restored Hatteras Weather Bureau Station and hear about the villagers who worked there during both tranquil and stormy times.
Tuesday & Thursday
Graveyard of the Atlantic
Time: 5:00pm to 5:30pm. Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -Countless ships have met their end off the Outer Banks. Learn how storms, shoals, war, and commerce have contributed to the wreckage, and hear stories of those who risked their lives to save the victims.
Wednesday Events:
Explore the Shore: Beach Walk
Time: 8:00am to 9:00am. Location: Old Lighthouse site parking lot
Enjoy an early morning ranger-led walk across the undeveloped ocean beaches of Hatteras Island. Learn about this changing shoreline and the plants and animals that make this dynamic environment their home.
Cast Netting
Time: 9:30am. Location: Pre-register at the Hatteras Island Museum at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -Casting a net from shore is one of the oldest methods of fishing. Give it a try or just come to observe the action. You’re welcome to bring your own cast net. Wear wading shoes. Limited to 25 participants.
Seashore Arts
Time: 11:00am to 11:30am. Location: Hatteras Island Visitor Center at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -Get in touch with your artistic side and create a lasting memory of the seashore! Bring a cotton t-shirt or pillow case to create a seashore-inspired masterpiece. Limited to 16 participants.
Thursday
Coast Guard Station Tour
Time: 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Location: Pre-register at Hatteras Island Visitor Center at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. -The U.S. Coast Guard and its predecessor, the U.S. Life-Saving Service, have a long and heroic history on the Outer Banks. Sign up today and enjoy a unique tour of an active U.S. Coast Guard Station. Limited to 20 participants.
Outer Banks Events and Activities for the Family -North of Hatteras Island
Monday through Saturday
74th Anniversary Season of The Lost Colony
Time: 8:30pm. Location: Waterside Theatre, Roanoke Island. -Written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Paul Green, The Lost Colony tells the story of 117 men, women and children who vanished without a trace more than 400 years ago. Featuring lavish costumes designed by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long and directed by Robert Richmond, the story comes to life summer nights at the open air Waterside Theatre. Children 12 and under $10.00, Group rates for 10 or more. Complete the experience with a Waterside Sunset Picnic and pre-show Backstage Tour at 7 p.m. Reservations required. Call (252) 473-3414 or visit thelostcolony.org
In the summer, it seems like every other vehicle on NC Highway 12 has a bike rack strapped to the back, and there’s a good reason for this phenomenon. With a collection of smaller neighborhoods, paths, flat beaches, and miles of scenic highway, Hatteras Island can be a biker’s dream.
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse