coastal food fests

North Carolina Seafood Festival 2026: Your Insider’s Guide

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Families in line at carnival food stands with Ferris wheel at NC Seafood Festival

Every October, Morehead City hands its waterfront over to shrimp boats, fryer smoke, and a few hundred thousand hungry people. That’s the North Carolina Seafood Festival, and 2026 marks its 40th year on the Crystal Coast. Mark your calendar for October 2–4, and read on before you show up hungry and clueless. We’ve covered this … Read more

Wing Fling Outer Banks: Manteo’s Saucy Summer Showdown

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Platter of glazed chicken wings served on lettuce, ready for tasting at Wing Fling Outer Banks

Forget lighthouses for one afternoon. On Saturday, August 1, Manteo’s waterfront turns into a battlefield of buffalo, garlic parmesan, and honey habanero. The All-American Wing Fling has landed on Roanoke Island, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the Outer Banks‘ most talked-about new traditions. If you’ve spent any time on this stretch … Read more