Updated for 2024!
THANKSGIVING EVENTS & BUFFETS ON THE OUTER BANKS
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for friends and family to celebrate everything they are thankful for… and there are plenty of reasons to be thankful if you’re spending Thanksgiving on the Outer Banks! If you’re planning to visit the OBX during Thanksgiving Week 2024, we’ve compiled a handy list of great holiday events you may be interested in attending as well as a list of restaurants serving up a delicious Thanksgiving meal!
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*We will continue to update this page as we learn about more events and dining options!
Local Thanksgiving Week Events
Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile
On Wednesday, November 27th at 11 AM, head to the Outer Banks Brewing Station to celebrate and participate in their annual Tipsy Turkey Beer Mile! This 21+ event hosted by the OBX Running Company is all about fun. Runners compete in a run-drink-run-drink-run-drink style race in quarter-mile intervals and are encouraged to wear costumes (there will be prizes awarded to the most creative!) At the conclusion of the race, there will be a backyard party at the Brewing Station! Register online here for $40.00. Walk-up registration is available up to 15 minutes before the race begins but there are only 100 spots open so register early to guarantee your participation!
Hangin’ With Santa
Hangin’ With Santa & Kites with Lights is a 2-day event perfect for getting in the Christmas mood. On Friday, November 29th and Saturday, November 30th, take the kids to Kitty Hawk Kites at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head for a chance to meet Santa! After getting their picture taken, your kids can hang out with a few of Santa’s elves while trying out some classic toys. Plus, there will be excellent holiday sales so you can start Christmas shopping early!
Kites With Lights
On November 30th from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, you won't want to miss this annual holiday light show that will brighten up the sky over the dunes of Jockey's Ridge! Come out to Kites With Lights, presented by Kitty Hawk Kites, and celebrate with an impressive display of huge 19 to 30-foot kites completely decorated for the season! Kids and adults will relish in the sight and will also enjoy the lighting of the Jockey's Ridge State Park Solar Christmas Tree! Plus, baked goods and warm beverages will be available across the street (Jockey's Ridge Crossing). Although the event is free, donations are welcome and benefit The Friends of Jockey's Ridge, a nonprofit organization created to support, maintain and enhance the park.
Winter Lights at the Elizabethan Gardens
For a little post-Thanksgiving fun to really bring out the holiday spirit, visit the Elizabethan Gardens beginning November 22nd for select dates through December 28th. Kids from “one to ninety-two” will love this enchanted display of festive holiday lights. As you wander through the paths around the garden, you’ll experience the magic of a true winter wonderland with Christmas trees, holiday décor and thousands upon thousands of glowing lights. Little ones under 2 get in free! Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door. The final tickets of the night are sold at 8:15 PM and since this display is outside, it is subject to weather cancellations. Even if you’ve been in the past, this is a display that you should see year after year!
Restaurants Providing Thanksgiving Feasts
Red Sky Café
Red Sky Café is a wonderful café in Duck that serves a delicious Thanksgiving meal every year! Enjoy Carolina crab bisque, salmon, oysters, ham, stuffing, and turkey as well as yams, French toast casserole, and an assortment of breads. Don't forget a homemade dessert prepared by Francie's Fancies! The cost for adults is $39 and $15 for kids 12 & under. Lunch is served from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM and reservations are recommended by texting (252) 455-1791.
Captain George's Seafood Restaurant
Captain George’s in Kill Devil Hills is no stranger to offering luxurious buffets. However, their annual Thanksgiving buffet is one that will certainly appease any palette. They offer traditional Thanksgiving food like turkey and ham in addition to seafood favorites like crab legs, steamed shrimp, oysters, and more! They also have homemade desserts, vegetables, sides, soups and salads! The restaurant will open at 11:30 AM on Thanksgiving Day and serve through 8:30 PM. Reservations are available between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM. The feast will cost guests $49.99.
JOLLY ROGER
Jolly Roger in Kill Devil Hills is once again hosting a wonderful annual Thanksgiving feast! The cost is just $34.95 per person and you can even take home your leftovers starting at $9.99 per pound. Dinner starts at 1:00 PM (restaurant open regular hours for breakfast) and you can make reservations ahead of time. They will be offering traditional Roasted Turkey and Honey Glazed Ham along with She Crab Soup, Mashed Potatoes, Traditional Dressing, Fresh Homemade Rolls, Collard Greens, Seasonal Pies, Apple Dumplings & more!
MULLIGAN'S GRILLE
Mulligan’s Grille in Nags Head is another local favorite offering a delicious Thanksgiving meal! NPlates include sliced turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans, cranberry sauce, cornbread, and cheesecake. They also have a variety of plate add-ons like beef tenderloin, baked rockfish, lump crab cakes, clam chowder, hushpuppies, and more. Dinner plates are $30.99 per person. Kids 12 & under are $15.99. Reservations for dine-in or carry-out can be accepted up to 48 hours in advance by calling (252) 480-2000.
The Captain's Table, formerly Owen's Restaurant
The Captain's Table, formerly Owen’s Restaurant, is offering a dine-in menu for Thanksgiving, available between 4:30 - 9PM. AYCE SEAFOOD AS WELL AS SOTHERN COASTAL COMFORTS (Prime Rib, Turkey, Ham, Meatloaf, Mashers, Mac n Cheese, Collards and so much more!
Basnight's Lone Cedar
Join Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe for their 16th Annual Thanksgiving Feast. They'll be open Thanksgiving Day from 10:30AM to 7:30PM. Both reservations and walk-ins are welcome for this massive buffet menu. Enjoy Thanksgiving with the beautiful views of the sound. Their wide selection of food includes Shrimp & Grits, Fresh, Local Seafood, Turkey, Ham, and Beef, a variety of vegetables, and an assortment of desserts including Banana Pudding and Pumpkin Cheesecake. $45.95 for Adults; $20.95 Under Twelve; Under Five Free. For reservations, call: 252-441-5405.
Other Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving
Here is a list of other local OBX restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day! (Note: hours and menus are subject to change. Check with individual restaurants for additional details).
Duck
- Cravings Steak & Seafood
- Duck Donuts
- Fishbones Raw Bar & Restaurant
- Lifesaving Station Restaurant
- NC Coast Grill & Bar
- The Paper Canoe
- Red Sky Cafe
- Roadside Bar & Grill
- Sweet T's Coffee, Beer & Wine
- Tulio's Bakery
Southern Shores
Kitty Hawk
- Big Buck's Homemade Ice Cream
- Shipwreck's Taphouse & Grill
- The Spot
- Stack'em High Pancakes and So Forth
- Vilai Thai Kitchen
Kill Devil Hills
- Beachside Bistro
- Captain George's Seafood Restaurant
- China King
- Duck Donuts
- Dunkin' Donuts
- Five Guys Burgers & Fries
- Front Porch Cafe
- Fuji Japanese Steakhouse
- Goombay's Grille & Raw Bar
- Higher Grounds Coffee & Ice Cream Co.
- Jolly Roger
- Khan's Mongolian Grill
- New York Bagels
- OBX Tortilleria Y Panaderia
- Proof Bakery
- Starbucks Coffee
- Subway
Nags Head
- Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe
- Benny Tesoro's
- Dirty Dick's Crabhouse
- Duck Donuts
- Dunkin' Donuts
- Freshfit Cafe
- Front Porch Cafe
- Grits Grill
- Mulligan's Grille in Historic Cottage Row
- New China Buffet
- Owen's Restaurant
- Player's Grille
- Sugar Shack Seafood Market
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Manteo
Hatteras Island
- Buxton Munch Company
- Cafe Pamlico
- Chinatown
- Diamond Shoals Restaurant & Sushi Bar
- Dirty Dick's Crabhouse
- Duck Donuts
- Frisco Bay Coastal Grill
- The Froggy Dog Restaurant & Bar
- Good Winds Restaurant
- Muffins & Scones
- Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe
Enjoy a Fresh Seafood Feast in Your Rental!
Outer Banks Clambake is the perfect solution for those who don't want to get the whole family ready to go out to a restaurant this holiday season. Instead, let the feast come to you! OBX Clambake will come right to your rental home, bring the ingredients, cook the meal, and clean up afterward! Plus, Seaside Vacations guests are eligible for discounts through Club Seaside! Contact Outer Banks Clam Bake directly to work out a menu, confirm guest total, and arrange other details.
