Avoid the Black Friday crowds in the big city, and get your holiday shopping done this week on Ocracoke. The island is home to dozens of unique shops – we've got crafts, local art, souvenirs, t-shirts, jewelry, antiques, decoys, surf gear, clothing, tackle and fishing supplies, housewares, wine and gourmet gifts, books, music, cigars, toys, crab pot Christmas trees, and more. Gift certificates to local businesses make great presents. There's something for everyone on your list. Most island shops will be open every day this week except Thursday.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Ocracoke Preservation Society is having a special holiday sale in their gift shop. For one day only on Tuesday, November 20th everything in the gift shop is 20% off. Open 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The gift shop and museum will close for the season at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Bake sale at the Variety Store: Wednesday afternoon, beginning at 1 p.m. Stop by to get your cakes, pies, bread, and sweet treats for your Thanksgiving dinner! Sponsored by the United Methodist Women.
Restaurants/bars open this week:
Ocracoke Coffee Company (mornings)
The Back Porch (Open for dinner 5 – 9 p.m., last night of the season is Saturday 11/24)
The Pony Island (Breakfast: Friday – Sunday, 7 – 11 a.m.; Dinner: Friday and Saturday 5 p.m.-8 p.m.)
Creekside Café (Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (last night of season).
Zillie’s Pantry (11 a.m – 7:30 p.m.)
Gaffer’s Sports Pub (Live music Friday with Aaron Caswell Band; Saturday with Hipslack)
The Topless Oyster (Open every day starting at 11 a.m.)
Thanksgiving Day: Hoping for a big turkey dinner that you don’t have to cook for yourself? Two restaurants on Ocracoke will be open on Thanksgiving Day. Gaffer’s and the Topless Oyster are both serving the traditional holiday meal with all the trimmings.
Homegrown, Handmade Market: Wednesday and Saturday this week, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Community Store. There’ll be work on display from local artists, crafters, and cooks!
Black Friday Art Studio open house at Heart's Desire: Artist Mary Bassell invites you to her studio at 340 Back Road. 1 – 5 p.m. Celebrate the upcoming holiday season with lots of goodies to eat and drink. Art works in pastel and watercolor will be offered at 20% discount!!
Ocrafolk Festival Fundraising Concert at Community Center, 7:30 pm (doors open at 7). Tickets at door: $15 adults/$7 kids. Performers: Molasses Creek, Donald Davis, Lightnin' Lou and the Blackouts, Sundae Horn, Rob Temple, Dave Frum, Philip Howard, and more!
Student Art Show at Down Creek Gallery: Saturday, 4 – 7 pm. Ocracoke School high school students will be showing their drawings, paintings, and sculptures. All are welcome to attend – there’ll be refreshments, too!