Throughout the year, the Outer Banks welcomes not only sun-seeking vacationers but also embraces a profound reverence for its history and the remarkable heroes who have dutifully served our beloved nation. Veterans Day, a day devoted to expressing gratitude to those who have tirelessly safeguarded our country, holds a cherished place in the hearts of Outer Banks residents and visitors alike. In this blog, we invite you to discover delightful ways to celebrate Veterans Day in this breathtaking coastal paradise, creating cherished memories along the way.
Outer Banks Veterans Week
Join us for Outer Banks Veterans Week, taking place from November 4-11, 2024!
Outer Banks Veterans Week is an annual celebration that honors our Veterans and their families through various artistic expressions. Our primary goal is to highlight the Outer Banks as a warm and welcoming destination for Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families. We achieve this by organizing special events, concerts, and meaningful ceremonies.
During Outer Banks Veterans Week, veterans and their families can look forward to a range of ceremonies, exclusive offers, and discounts. Updates from Dare County Arts are ongoing, so check this page regularly for updates!
Special Events
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Outer Banks Veterans Concert- Saturday, November 9
Experience an intimate evening of storytelling through song by award-winning musicians at the Outer Banks Veterans Concert, which will be held at 7pm on Saturday, November 9 at The Pioneer Theater in downtown Manteo. Co-founder of Soldier Songs and Voices Tony Rosario, founder of the Veterans Writing Project Ron Capps and singer-songwriter-producer Jana Pochop will take the stage together at the historic Pioneer Theater for a special song swap. Tickets to the concert are $5.00 with a military or Veteran ID and $10 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at ThePioneerTheater.com and at the door.
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Veterans Writing Workshop- November 9-10
The 12th Annual Outer Banks Veterans Writing Workshop will be held at the UNC Coastal Studies Institute in Wanchese from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10. Co-founder of Soldier Songs and Voices Tony Rosario, founder of the Veterans Writing Project Ron Capps and singer-songwriter-producer Jana Pochop are leading the hands-on songwriting workshop. Beginner and experienced songwriters are invited to participate in this two-day workshop that is free for Veterans, active-duty military and their family members. Participants are welcome to bring an instrument if they choose to. For more information about the workshop or to register, please click here or call Dare Arts at 252 473 5558.
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Annual Dare County Veterans Celebration Luncheon- Thursday, November 14
The Annual Veterans Celebration Luncheon will be held at 12pm on Thursday, November 14 at 12:00pm at the Virginia Tillett Community Center, located at 950 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo. RSVPs are required. Please RSVP to the luncheon by calling 252 475 9270. There will be a program and visual presentation highlighting our service members. Entertainment will be provided.
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Outer Banks History Center Exhibit "The Vietnam War in the Outer Banks" at the Manteo Library
A new exhibit, “A Thousand Words: Photographs by Vietnam Veterans,” is open at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo. On loan from the North Carolina Museum of History, it will be on display in the temporary exhibit space Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., through December 31. This free exhibit is open to the public.
Veterans Day Ceremonies on the Outer Banks
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Cape Hatteras Veterans Ceremony
Cape Hatteras Secondary School (CHSS) is hosting their annual Veterans Celebration on Friday, November 8 in Buxton. The day will begin at 9:00am in the CHSS cafeteria where Veterans will be served a free breakfast and will be able to visit and catch up. At 10:00am, the Veterans will be honored by students, faculty, and community members during a special program in the gymnasium. The program is open to all area Veterans and active-duty servicemen and women.
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Manteo Veterans Day Ceremony
The Veterans Day Ceremony in Downtown Manteo will take place on Monday, November 11 at 9:30am at the Dare County Veterans Memorial, located at 300 Queen Elizabeth Avenue, Manteo.
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Southern Shores Veterans Day Ceremony
The Veterans Day Ceremony in Southern Shores will take place on Monday, November 11 at 11:00am at the Southern Shores Town Hall Flagpole Pavilion, located at 5375 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Southern Shores.
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Nags Head Veterans Day Ceremony
The Veterans Day Remember & Honor Ceremony in Nags Head will take place on Monday, November 11 at 11:00am at Nags Head Town Hall, located at 5401 S. Croatan Highway, Nags Head.
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Kill Devil Hills Veterans Day Ceremony
The Veterans Day Ceremony in Kill Devil Hills will take place on Monday, November 11 at 12:30pm. The ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial on Veterans Drive in Kill Devil Hills.
Visit Historic Sites
The Outer Banks has a rich history, and many of its historic sites and museums pay tribute to the sacrifices made by veterans. Consider visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, where you can learn about the Wright brothers' contributions to aviation and their involvement in World War I.
The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum on Hatteras Island also offers a compelling look at the maritime history of the region, including the role of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Check out the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station to learn more about this little-known organization that eventually became part of the Coast Guard and learn about the daring water rescues that changed the course of history.
Take a trip down to Ocracoke to see the British Cemetery. This piece of land has been leased in perpetuity to the British Commonwealth, serving as the eternal resting place for four brave souls who tragically lost their lives on May 11, 1942. On that fateful day, a German U-Boat unleashed a torpedo, striking the HMT Bedfordshire and claiming the lives of all 37 sailors aboard. Heartbreakingly, only four bodies washed ashore, leaving the fate of the others shrouded in mystery. During World War II, the waters off the Outer Banks earned the ominous moniker "Torpedo Alley" due to the heightened presence of German U-Boats in the vicinity. Each year, a touching memorial is held at this site, graced by representatives from the British Royal Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, coming together to pay homage to these fallen sailors.
And as you journey back through, consider making a poignant stop at the Hatteras Island British Cemetery in Buxton. Here, you'll encounter the resting places of two unidentified British sailors who found their way ashore in Buxton during the turbulent times of World War II. Their silent presence serves as a testament to the profound impact of history on this remote and cherished stretch of the Outer Banks.
You can get an overview of the local history with the Manteo Historic Walking Tour. Find out about the tour and delve into Roanoke Island history with episode #16 of the Outer Banks Podcast. And as a bonus, Seaside Vacations guests are eligible to receive 1 free adult ticket when booking a party of 4 or more with Manteo Historic Walking Tour.
Outer Banks Veteran's Day Discounts
Every year, many locations on the Outer Banks extend additional offerings for discounts on services, admission, and dining. See the 2023 directory of discounts below. Check back for updated discounts closer to Veteran's Day and bookmark the Dare Arts Veterans Directory here.
- Ace Hardware provides a 10% discount to Veterans, active-duty military and reserves every day at all 7 Outer Banks locations. Ace Hardware has numerous locations on the Outer Banks. Please bring a valid military ID.
- Artsy Octopus offers a military, Veterans, and first responders a 20% discount everyday. Patrons must show ID upon checkout to receive the discount.
- Atlantic Dentistry is honoring our nation's heroes by offering free dental services to all Veterans on Friday, November 8. Whether you need a cleaning, check-up, or dental care, they are here to serve you and say thank you for your service. Please call 252 261 7700 to schedule an appointment. Atlantic Dentistry is located at 3704 N. Croatan Highway Kitty Hawk.
- Barefoot Bernie's restaurant offers 10% off meals for Veterans year-round.
- Electrical & Lighting Solutions provides a 15% discount on all services scheduled prior to Veterans Day, exclusively for Veterans.
- High Cotton NC BBQ offers 10% off meals for Veterans, active-duty and first responders year-round.
- Jolly Roger Restaurant is offering great specials for Veterans during Outer Banks Veterans Week. They also offer free Veterans breakfast the first Tuesday of every month. Please bring a military I.D. The Jolly Roger Restaurant is located at 1836 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills.
- Kitty Hawk Kites stores offer a 10% discount to all Veterans and active-duty military.
- Morgan Family Dentistry is doing their 10th Annual Veteran's Dental Clinic on Friday, November 8 starting from 8am to 12pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but please call two weeks in advance if taking blood thinners. Please bring proof of service. For more information call 252 256 9302. Morgan Family Dentistry is located at 10 A Juniper Trail, Kitty Hawk.
- North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is offering 50% off admission for all active-duty, retired, or reserve and their immediate family members on Veterans Day, November 11. The aquarium is located at 374 Airport Road, Manteo and is open daily from 9am-5pm. Must show proof of service/ID.
- Sugar Shack and Sugar Creek Seafood Restaurant offer 10% off for Veterans year-round.
- Shutters On The Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills is offering 10% off vacation stays for Veterans.
- Surfside Hotel in Nags Head is offering 10% off vacation stays for active-duty military, but the reservation must be made over the phone by calling 252 441 2105.
- Tarheel Motel in Nags Head is offering 10% off vacation stays for Veterans. Guests must use the code "military" and present a valid ID.
- Upscale Furniture in Powell's Point is offering 20% discounts to all Veterans during Veterans Week and a 10% discount to all active-duty military and their families the rest of the year.
- Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills will waive entrance fees on Monday, November 11 to celebrate Veterans Day.
Find Your Ideal November Vacation Rental Today
Celebrate the veteran in your life (or yourself!) by booking an Outer Banks vacation for Outer Banks Veterans Week or the month of November today! Participating homes also offer a military discount on stays, so be sure to give our Guest Services team a call where they can help you find the perfect vacation rental that your whole family will love. We're also booking for the holidays and it's not too late to get in that last-minute family vacation for Diwali, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah. Have family traveling or already have holiday plans? Get away in between the holidays! Taking a week to recharge on the Outer Banks between Thanksgiving and Christmas is sure to help get you ready for your next holiday gathering.
Give our wonderful Guest Services Team a call today at (866) 884-0267 or take a look at our available rentals to get started planning your next historic adventure to the Outer Banks. And don't forget about our layaway plan for stays more than 90 days out, which makes booking your dream vacation easier than ever. So don't wait. We're booking Outer Banks vacation rentals year round and we're excited to help you create memories to last a lifetime. We're here to help make your OBX vacation fun, exciting, and hassle-free. Give us a call today! Be sure to provide accurate information and make any necessary payments.
Explore our website and give us a call to help kick-start your unforgettable Outer Banks vacation today. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok to stay up to date on all of our specials, new & featured homes, and tips & tricks for making the most of your next Outer Banks vacation.
We’ll see you at the beach.
About the Author: Lauren is an Outer Banks local, mom, veteran, trained historian, and travel enthusiast. When she isn’t writing for the Seaside Vacations Travel Blog, Lauren can usually be found with her nose in a book or cuddling with her cats.
