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 2022, 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!
*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 23rd 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 25th and Saturday, November 26th, 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 26th 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 27th for select dates through January 16. 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. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for ages 6-17, and $7 for children 5 to 2. 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! To start 2020’s Thanksgiving Bounty, enjoy coffee, tea, local craft brews and fall-themed cocktails. The main dish options include fire-roasted turkey, Virginia ham, shrimp & grits, Wagyu sirloin, Fried Oysters, and more! There are plenty of sides too, of course, ranging from Caesar salad and candied sweet potatoes to mac & cheese, and redskin potatoes. Don't forget a homemade dessert prepared by Holly’s Creative Confections! The cost for adults is $47 and the cost for kids 12 & under is $15. Lunch is served from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and reservations are recommended by calling or texting (252) 619-2867.
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 9:00 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 $21.95 per person and you can even take home your leftovers starting at $4.99 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! New this year is their “Better Than a Buffet” dine-in or carry-out dinner plates. Plates include turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, sweet potato casserole, collards, cranberry sauce and cornbread! You can also choose a dessert for your plate with options like bread pudding, pecan pie, and pumpkin pie. 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 $28.99 per person. Reservations for dine-in or carry-out can be accepted up to 48 hours in advance by calling (252) 480-2000.
OWEN'S RESTAURANT
Owen’s Restaurant is offering a dine-in menu for Thanksgiving, available between Noon and 8:00 PM. Meals range from Turkey & Ham with gravy, dressing and potatoes to Rockfish & Shrimp with sweet potato crunch, mac & cheese, and collards. Side orders, salads, soups and desserts are also available for purchase. Their Southern Coastal Cuisine A la Carte menu includes soups, salads, desserts, surf and turf platters, and more with a range in prices. There is even a menu for kids that includes chicken fingers, local fish, cheeseburgers, turkey and ham with a side!
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).
- Andy's Pancake & Grill - AM ONLY
- Angelo's Pizzeria
- Barrier Island Bagels
- Basnight's Lone Cedar Cafe
- Beachcomber's Wood Fired Grille & Tiki Hut - Limited Hours & Menu
- Beachside Bistro
- Cafe Pamlico
- Chilli Peppers
- China King
- Chinatown
- Coastal Creamery
- Cookshack Fried Chicken
- Diamon Shoals Restaurant & Sushi Bar
- Dirty Dick's Crabhouse
- Duck Cottage Coffee & Bookshop
- Duck Donuts
- Dunkin' Donuts
- The Froggy Dog Restaurant & Bar
- Front Porch Cafe - TIL NOON
- Grits Grill
- Good Winds Restaurant
- Goombay's Grille & Raw Bar
- Higher Grounds Coffee & Ice Cream Co. - TIL 1PM
- Lifesaving Station Restaurant
- Little Caesars Pizza
- Muffins & Scones
- New China Buffet
- New York Bagels
- NC Coast Grill & Bar
- Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe
- Player's Grille
- Roadside Bar & Grill
- Sal's New York Pizza
- Sonic Drive-In - AFTER 5PM
- Stack'em High Pancakes and So Forth
- Starbucks Coffee
- Subway
- Sunrise Seafood Market - AM ONLY
- Sweet T's Coffee, Beer, & Wine
- Ten O Six - TIL NOON
- Thai Room
- T.L.'s Family Restaurant
- Tommy's Natural Food Market - AM ONLY
- Tullio's Baker
- Uglie Mugs Coffee Shop
- Vilai Thai Kitchen
- The Wreck
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.
