NPS programs
The base of the lighthouse is open daily for visitors to view inside, 10 am to 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm to 4 pm. Lighthouse Talks are offered every Monday through Thursday at 11 am.
Monday, July 1
The NPS parking lot will be closed starting at 5 pm July 1 through July 2 for the fireworks set up.
NPS program Meet the Banker Ponies: 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the Pony Pasture.
NPS Ranger program at lighthouse, 11 am
NPS Talk — Life on a Barrier Island: 2:30 pm. Outside the Discovery Center.
Mini Bar at Ocracoke Coffee: Mondays and/or Tuesdays: Bead by the Sea jewelry making class, 6-8 pm
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Whiskey Business, 7 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Drew Gregory, 7:30 pm
Tuesday, July 2
NPS Talk — Life on a Barrier Island: Outside the Discovery Center, 2:30 pm.
Morning Bird Walk, 8:30 am. Meet at the NPS Campground parking lot.
NPS Ranger program at lighthouse, 11 am
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Drew Gregory, 7:30 pm
7 pm Pre-fireworks gathering: Ocracoke Island deejay Tommy Hutcherson will spin dance tunes and patriotic songs at the NPS docks.
9:15 pm: Fireworks by Pyrotecnico will be launched from the large National Park Service parking area at the southern end of the island.
Wednesday, July 3
NPS program Meet the Banker Ponies: 9:30 to 10 a.m. at the Pony Pasture
Ocracoke Community Library: Baby/Toddler/Preschool story time, 10 am
NPS Ranger program at lighthouse, 11 am
Ocracoke Community Library: Program for kids grades K to 5, 1 pm
NPS Talk — Life on a Barrier Island: 2:30 pm. Outside the Discovery Center.
3 to 5 pm at Books to Be Red: Storyteller Donald Davis signs his new book “How They Linger.”
3 to 6 pm: Fundraising Fish Fry for the OPS. Island Inn Commons.
7 to 8:30 p.m. Old fashioned Ocracoke square Dance at the Berkley Barn with Molasses Creek. Charge: $5 for adults 13 and over. See story here.
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Boss Roots Sound System, 7 pm
Thursday, July 4:
9:30 am – Noon: 44th Annual Sand Sculpture Contest at the NPS Lifeguard Beach. Everyone on the beach votes for Best in Show at noon.
Ocracoke Lighthouse open. The lighthouse is open for viewing the inside, 10-noon & 1:30 to 4 pm. All are welcome. No climbing.
NPS Talk — Life on a Barrier Island: 2:30 pm. Outside the Discovery Center.
4 pm: Independence Day Parade. Theme: Old Tyme Ocracoke
All are welcome to enter the parade to vie for best walk & roll, best wheels, best float, best theme and Best in Show. No political messages/themes. No throwing water. Sign up starts at 3 pm at Old Beach Road & Irvin Garrish Hwy. Lineup starts there at 3:30 pm. Parade starts at Old Beach Road and ends at NPS docks.
5:30 pm: National Anthem played by Dallas Mason & awards presentation for Parade & Sculpture Contest winners; Books to Be Red stage. BYO seating.
6 pm: Cookout at the Ocracoke United Methodist Church
- 7 to 10 pm:Community Beach Fire under the stars at the Ocracoke Day Use Area/NPS Lifeguard Beach. BYO beach blankets, chairs, marshmallows, roasting sticks.
Mini Bar at Ocracoke Coffee: Brooke & Nick 6-8 pm
The Breeze: Ray McAllister Band, 8 pm
Friday, July 5
What’s Happening on Ocracoke interview on WOVV 90.1 FM, 11:30 am
Mini Bar at Ocracoke Coffee: Kate McNally, 6-8 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Caldwell Grey, 7 pm
1718 Brewing Ocracoke: The Dune Dogs, 7 pm
DAJIO: DJ Matteus, 7:30 pm
The Breeze: The Lost Artist, 9 pm
Saturday, July 6
Mini Bar at Ocracoke Coffee: artist TBD, 6-8 pm
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Ocracoke Rockers, 7 pm
DAJIO: Ray McAllister Band, 7:30 pm
The Breeze: The Lost Artist, 9 pm
