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Events
We offer a variety of free, family-friendly events throughout the year. From lively concerts and bustling markets to relaxing movies under the stars, energizing fitness classes, fun-filled kids activities, and tail-wagging gatherings, our events are primarily held at beautiful Dowdy Park and offer something for everyone.
Dowdy Park
Located at 3005 South Croatan Highway, Dowdy Park offers inclusive playground equipment, an exercise trail, sport courts (one pickleball and one basketball), fitness classes, and special events such as markets, movie nights, and concerts.
Become a Market Vendor | Become a Sponsor | Become an Event Volunteer
Satterfield Landing Road Dog Park
The Town of Nags Head offers a dog park located at 227 West Satterfield Landing Road. The park provides a safe, fenced area for dogs to play and exercise.
Click on the tabs below for event schedules.
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Dowdy Park Winter Markets 2026
Experience the Warmth of Community at the Winter Markets! Read on...
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Paige Griffin
Event CoordinatorPhone: 252-449-2010
Dowdy Park Markets
The Town of Nags Head hosts several types of markets at Dowdy Park throughout the year, including winter markets, summer markets, and holiday markets.
Summer Market Season
The Dowdy Park Summer Market runs from mid-June through mid-August. To maintain a positive experience for vendors and visitors, the market is intentionally capped at approximately 50 vendors per event, with limited date overlap. Market dates and capacity are driven by the local school calendar, as the market has grown to a size that requires use of the school parking lot for vendor and visitor parking.
Vendor Application and Selection
Each February, returning vendors from the previous season are contacted to confirm participation. This process helps determine the number of spaces that may be available for new vendors.
When availability allows, application information is posted in mid-April on the Dowdy Park Facebook page and the Town of Nags Head website.
Applications are typically open for a short window of approximately two to four days. All applications are reviewed, and the Arts & Cultural Committee selects new vendors based on available space and established selection criteria.
Please note: Only approved vendors are permitted to sell at the market.
Fees and Market Considerations
The vendor fee for the summer market is $240 for the full season. As the market has grown, the application and coordination process has become more complex, particularly due to limited parking capacity. When openings are available, producer and consumable vendors may be given priority consideration to support overall market balance.
The Town of Nags Head has been made aware of fraudulent advertisements claiming to offer vendor spaces for Dowdy Park markets. Please be advised that only information posted by the official Dowdy Park page, the Town of Nags Head, or on the Town website is legitimate.
Any vendor opportunities not shared through these official channels should be considered unauthorized. When in doubt, please verify information through the Town’s official pages or contact the Town of Nags Head directly.
Parking
Additional parking is available at Nags Head Elementary School.
If parking along nearby streets, please observe the following:
- Do not park in driveways
- Obey all traffic cones and posted No Parking signs
- Vehicles must be parked completely off the roadway, with all four wheels off the pavement
- If there is not enough space to park fully off the road, please find parking elsewhere
These guidelines help ensure that traffic flows safely and that emergency vehicles can access the area when needed.
Keep an eye out here for more information or sign up to receive an email or text when we add information about events. Scroll down to the News Flash category and click next to Events. You can also follow the Dowdy Park Facebook or Instagram pages.
Contact our event coordinator, Paige Griffin, by email or by phone at 252-489-8551 if you have any questions.
Yoga in the Park
Get ready to stretch! Information on Yoga in the Park 2026 will be coming soon.
Keep an eye out here for more information or sign up to receive an email or text when we add information about events. Scroll down to the News Flash category and click next to Events. You can also follow the Dowdy Park Facebook or Instagram pages.
Fitness Fridays
Fitness Fridays has ended for the season, but stay tuned for details about Summer 2026.
Summer Concert Series
Our summer concert series has ended for the 2025 season. We look forward to bringing more fun music events to Dowdy Park during the summer of 2026.
Keep an eye out here for more information or sign up to receive an email or text when we add information about events. Scroll down to the News Flash category and click next to Events. You can also follow the Dowdy Park Facebook or Instagram pages.
Stay tuned for updates and information on free movie showings at Dowdy Park in 2026.
Keep an eye out here for more information or sign up to receive an email or text when we add information about events. Scroll down to the News Flash category and click next to Events. You can also follow the Dowdy Park Facebook or Instagram pages.
2026 Holiday Market and Events Dates
Stay tuned for details on our 2026 Holiday Markets and Events!
Want to become a vendor? Learn more here.
Scammers are advertising fake vendor spots for Dowdy Park markets. Only information posted by the official Dowdy Park page, the Town of Nags Head, or on the Town website (www.nagsheadnc.gov) is legitimate. If it’s not from us, it’s not real. When in doubt, check our official pages, the Town website, or contact the Town directly.
Keep an eye out here for more information or sign up to receive an email or text when we add information about events. Scroll down to the News Flash category and click next to Events. You can also follow the Dowdy Park Facebook or Instagram pages.
- January 10
- February 14
- March 14
- April 11
Unlike our larger markets, these Winter Markets are intimate gatherings with food vendors only, offering tasty bites and a cozy community atmosphere.
Keep an eye out here for more information or sign up to receive an email or text when we add information about events. Scroll down to the News Flash category and click next to Events. You can also follow the Dowdy Park Facebook or Instagram pages.
Family Fun Times
Family Fun Times has ended for the season, but stay tuned for details about Summer 2026.
Kids Back to School
The Kids Back to School event has ended for the season, but stay tuned for details about Summer 2026.
Kids Move More
Kids Move More events has ended for the season, but stay tuned for details about Summer 2026.
Keep an eye out here for more information or sign up to receive an email or text when we add information about events. Scroll down to the News Flash category and click next to Events. You can also follow the Dowdy Park Facebook or Instagram pages.
Thank you to everyone who joined us this summer! Waggin’ Wednesdays has ended for the season, but stay tuned for details about the 2026 series.
Keep an eye out here for more information or sign up to receive an email or text when we add information about events. Scroll down to the News Flash category and click next to Events. You can also follow the Dowdy Park Facebook or Instagram pages.