The OPS Museum and National Park Service both offer several free programs each week for all ages, including opening the lighthouse. Summer Reading Program happens at the Ocracoke Library! Lifeguards are on duty 9-5, seven days a week at the lifeguard beach (a.k.a. Day Use Area). It's going to be a busy week on Ocracoke and we're all happy you're here. Here's some helpful tips:
- Walk facing traffic; bike with traffic.
- If you have to drive, do it slowly. Relax! You're on vacation and we're all going to get where we're going...
- You have to be 16 to drive a golf cart. Don't let your 15-and-under kids drive golf carts. Seriously.
- Don't cross the yellow line to pass golf carts. They count as real vehicles; slow down and stay behind them.
- Learn about rip currents, and be careful at the beach. The lifeguard beach is the safest place to swim.
Monday, July 8th:
9:30am: Ocracoke Lighthouse is open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 9:30-11am.
1pm: Ocracoke Pirates NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Learn about Blackbeard and other pirates with a park ranger.
1pm: Museum Tour @ OPS Museum: Get the inside scoop on exhibits!
3pm: Barrier Island Nature NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Join a park ranger for a talk about the wild side of the park.
7pm: Open Mic @ Dajio Every Monday night all summer long!
8:45pm: Night Sky NPS Program @ Lifeguard Beach Ocracoke After Dark! Enjoy and evening of stars and stories on the beach!
Tuesday, July 9th:
9:30am: Ocracoke Lighthouse is open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 9:30-11am.
10:30am: All About Turtles! NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. This activity especially for seashore kids and families.
11am: Summer Reading Program Story & Craft @ Ocracoke Library. It's a Universe of Stories at the library! Our theme is all about space, and we'll read books and do crafts each Tuesday at 11am. All ages welcome; this activity is geared toward grades K-2. Register for the Summer Reading Program at Ocracoke Library for a chance to win books and other prizes! We have lots of great activities happening through July 31st! FREE!
1pm: Porch Talk @ OPS Museum. Porch Talks are free, informative, and informal. Join us for our porch talk with Peter Vankevichabout Ocracoke's very own radio station, Ocracoke Community Radio 90.1FM, the voice of Ocracoke village.
1:30pm: Ocracoke Lighthouse is open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 1:30-3:30pm.
2:30pm: Ocracoke History NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Join a park ranger to learn about the island’s rich past.
7pm: Live Music! Knotty G's @ Oyster Co.
8pm: Live Music! @ Coyote Music Den: Coyote Plus One "Well-Crafted Spontaneity" - Marcy & Lou with a different special guest every Tuesday at 8pm (doors at 7:30). A fun, heart-felt evening of live music in a magical setting. This week's guest is Ocracoke's own Martin Garrish.
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/1040249 Watch from wherever you are for $1 - www.concertwindow.com/coyote
Wednesday, July 10th:
9am: NPS Banker Ponies Program @ Pony Pens. Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray!
10:30am: All About Turtles! NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. This activity especially for seashore kids and families.
1pm: Kids's Create-a-Craft @ OPS Museum Join us each Wednesday during the summer (June 5 - August 14) to make a cute craft! This week's theme is Ocracoke Quilting. FREE; Donations are happily accepted!
1:30pm: Lighthouse Open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 1:30-3:30pm.
2:30pm: Ocracoke Pirates NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Learn about Blackbeard and other pirates with a park ranger.
6pm: Civic Affairs meeting @ Community Center. Sponsored by OCBA. Open to all.
7pm: Kids' Movie Night @ Ocracoke Library. FREE! Snack provided or bring your own. Bring a pillow or blanket to get comfy on the floor. In keeping with the Universe of Stories space theme, this week's movie will be "Home." 7-9pm.
7pm: Live Music! The Stokes @ Oyster Co.
8pm: Live Music! Barefoot Wade @ Dajio
8pm: Season 2: Dingbatters (ALL NEW COMEDY) Guide to Ocracoke @ Deepwater Theater Back for a brand new season with all new Comedy-Skits, this critically acclaimed show is the ultimate guide for Ocracoke visitors (and residents) of all ages! Doors open @ 7:30pm. Admission: $20 adults; $10 children.
Thursday, July 11th:
9am: NPS Banker Ponies Program @ Pony Pens. Meet the ponies unique to Ocracoke! Bring bug spray!
11am: Preschool Story Time & Craft @ Ocracoke Library: Story Time with Ms. Juju! All ages welcome; this activity is geared toward the littlest library patrons, age 0-5. Register for the Summer Reading Program at Ocracoke Library for a chance to win books and other prizes! Lots of great activities happening through July 31st! FREE!
1pm: Porch Talk @ OPS Museum. Porch Talks are free, informative, and informal. Join native historian Philip Howard.
as he talks about various shipwrecks and the U.S. Lifesaving Service.
1:30pm: Lighthouse Open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 1:30-3pm.
2:30pm: Ocracoke History NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Join a park ranger to learn about the island’s rich past.
6pm: Wine Tasting @ Zillie's 6pm: Wine tasting at Zillie's Island Pantry! Wine tastings take place every Thursday @ 6pm, and pair five great wines with delicious hors d'oeuvres from the pantry. Space is limited, so make a reservation, and sign up at zillies.com.
8pm: Live Music! Raygun Ruby @ Dajio, 8–11pm. Everyone's favorite 80's cover band!
8pm: Live Music! Molasses Creek @ Deepwater Theater. Every Thursday night all summer! Doors open @ 7:30pm. For 26 years, Molasses Creek's high-energy performances and heartfelt songwriting has brought the love of their coastal home to the stage. The band's elegant harmonies and arrangements, stellar songwriting, blazing instrumentals, and quirky sense of humor have won loyal followers throughout the United States and around the world.
Friday, July 12th:
8:30am: Birds & Beaches NPS Walk @ Campground beach parking lot. Join a ranger for an island exploration. Fun for all ages! (90 minutes). Bring bug spray.
9:30am: Ocracoke Lighthouse is open! You can go in, but not up! You know you want to see inside... 9:30-11am.
1pm: Museum Tour @ OPS Museum. Get the inside scoop on exhibits!
2:30pm: All About Turtles! NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. This activity especially for seashore kids and families.
6pm: Wine Tasting @ Zillie's 6pm: Wine tasting at Zillie's Island Pantry! Wine tastings pair five great wines with delicious hors d'oeuvres from the pantry. Space is limited, so make a reservation, and sign up at zillies.com.
7pm: Live Music! Kate McNally @ Oyster Co.
8pm: Live Music! John Gilbride @ Dajio
8pm: Live Music! @ Coyote Music Den Friday nights through October 25th, Fridays at the Den will be Marcy & Lou "In Concert" with a special guest (or not) at 8pm (doors at 7:30). A fun, heart-felt evening of live music in a magical setting.
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/1040249 Watch from wherever you are for $1 - www.concertwindow.com/coyote
Saturday, July 13th:
3pm: Tacos @ Community Center. Mexican food sale to benefit the Festival Latino de Ocracoke.
5pm: Ballet Folklorico de Ocracoke @ Community Center. Come out and see this performance of traditional Mexican dance from Ocracoke's own dance troupe. All are welcome.
7pm: Martin & Friends @ Oyster Co.
8pm: Live Music! Kate McNally @ Dajio
9pm: Dance @ Community Center. Fundraiser for Festival Latino de Ocracoke in partnership with Ocracoke Alive. Live music with El Trip Kartel de la Sierra and dance tunes with DJ Palankas. Admission is $20 for women and $25 for men; admission includes door prize tickets!
Sunday, July 14th:
Services @ both churches: Ocracoke United Methodist (Sunday School 10am; service at 11am) and Ocracoke Assembly of God (Sunday School 10am, services at 11am and 6pm; also Wednesday night service at 7pm).
7pm: Live Music! John Lea @ Oyster Co.
Looking ahead....
Check out the Ocracoke Current calendar for more events and information! We post updates on Facebook, too!
Send info about any events we may have missed to ocracokecurrent@gmail.com.
This story will be updated as needed with more information, so check back!