Christmas Holiday Closures
All Dare County offices and facilities will be closed Wednesday, December 24, 2025; Thursday, December 25, 2025 and Friday, December 26, 2025 in observance of the Christmas holidays. Offices and facilities will reopen and resume their regular hours of operation on Monday, December 29, 2025. 

New Year’s Holiday Closures
All Dare County offices and facilities will also be closed on Thursday, January 1, 2025 in observance of New Year’s Day. Offices and facilities will reopen and resume their regular hours of operation on Friday, January 2, 2025.

Holiday Trash Collection Schedules Changes
In addition, Dare County Public Works—which provides residential and commercial trash collection for the unincorporated areas of the county as well as the Town of Kitty Hawk—has announced revised trash collection schedules for these holiday weeks. To view the revised schedules, visit DareNC.gov/PublicWorks or click the buttons below.

A topping out ceremony for the new Dare County Early College was held at 9 a.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025, on the College of The Albemarle (COA) – Dare Campus in Manteo. The event celebrated the placement of the final structural beam on the 25,735-square-foot, two-story facility currently under construction. Barnhill Building Group hosted the ceremony in partnership with Dare County and Dare County Schools.

The event was attended by county and school officials, along with students from the first cohort who will attend the new Early College once the building is complete. Informal remarks were shared by Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard, Dare County Board of Education Chairman David Twiddy, Dare County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight, and College of The Albemarle President Jack Bagwell.

Students in the Early College’s inaugural Class of 2029—who are currently attending classes on the COA–Dare Campus while the new facility is under construction—were invited to attend the milestone event and sign the commemorative beam before it was lifted into place.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held in July 2025, and construction remains on schedule for completion in the fall of 2026. Once completed, the new Early College building will accommodate up to 300 students and provide a personalized, college-style learning environment. Planned features include expanded classroom space, state-of-the-art labs, administrative offices, and a central lobby with grab-and-go food service to support collaboration and a strong campus culture.

To learn more about the Dare County Early College project, please click here to visit the Dare County Schools website.

The Dare County Library will host a series of fun, free and family friendly events featuring holiday themes at each of its three branches throughout Dare County during the month of December to get the Outer Banks community into the spirit of the holiday season. Check out the events happening at a Dare County Library branch near you!

Manteo Library: “Polar Express PJ Party”

Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Location: Manteo Library (700 Highway 64/264, Manteo, NC)

Details: Come dressed in your PJs—or not—whichever you prefer! Enjoy a story or two, make some Christmas crafts, decorate a cookie, enjoy hot chocolate, and have some fun with the Library Polar Express Crew!

Kill Devil Hills Library: “Santa Comes to KDH” 

Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Kill Devil Hills Library (400 Mustian Street, Kill Devil Hills, NC)

Details: Visit with Duck Santa and Sprinkles the Elf! Join us for a fun and free drop-in event for the whole family with reading, crafts and more. Pick up a “Letter to Santa” at the front desk and bring it back the night of the party!

Hatteras Library: “An Old-Fashioned Christmas Party” 

Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Hatteras Library, (57689 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras, NC)

Details: Join us for pizza, snacks, and punch, help us decorate the Christmas tree, make old-fashioned garland, enjoy take-home crafts or gifts to share, and visit with Santa! We’ll also have snow and a model train! 

For more information about the assortment of programs, services and resources that are available at the Dare County Library’s three branches, please visit DareNC.gov/Library or click the button below.

Do you know someone in Dare County who has generously given their time, energy and talent to assist others in our community by serving as an outstanding volunteer? Dare County encourages you to nominate them for North Carolina’s prestigious 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, which honor individuals and groups from the public, private sector and nonprofit sector who have made a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. 

Volunteers can be nominated for their service in a variety of categories, including veteran/military, youth, seniors, animals, education, environmental, disaster, health and human services, etc. Nominations will be submitted to the county award coordinator, who will then present the nominations to a committee that will review the nominees and select the top 5 volunteers for Dare County.  

Nominations are strongly encouraged to be submitted online but can also be submitted by downloading a nomination form in Microsoft Word and returning it to Dare County award coordinator Shannon Glaser (954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, P.O. Box 1000, Manteo, NC 27954). The deadline to submit nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards is 5 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026. For more information, please visit DareNC.gov/GovernorsAward.

The Dare County Board of Elections has announced that candidate filing for the 2026 North Carolina Primary Election* will begin at 12 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025 and conclude at 12 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025. The 2026 Primary Election—which will be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026—will feature a number of local contests, including:

Dare County Sheriff

Clerk of Superior Court

Dare County Register of Deeds

Dare County Board of Commissioners —Three Seats with Terms Ending in 2026:

• Dare County Board of Commissioners (District 1 - Roanoke Island and Dare County Mainland)

• Dare County Board of Commissioners (District 2 - Nags Head, Colington and Kill Devil Hills)

• Dare County Board of Commissioners (District 5 - At Large)

Dare County Board of Education - Three Seats with Terms Ending in 2026

• Board of Education Member (District 1 - Roanoke Island and Dare County Mainland)
• Board of Education Member (District 2 - Nags Head, Colington and Kill Devil Hills)
• Board of Education Member (District 3 - Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores)

*Please note that Dare Soil & Water Conservation District Board seats whose terms expire in 2026 will have a separate candidate filing window that runs from June 8, 2026 to July 6, 2026.

To view a current list of elected officials in Dare County, please click the button below.

Dare County, in partnership with Current TV, has released “Discover Hidden Dare: Wanchese,” the latest installment in its ongoing video series that highlights the people, history and natural beauty of Dare County’s unique unincorporated communities. The latest episode takes viewers to Wanchese, a small village located on the southern tip of Roanoke Island—a place as deeply connected to the water as it is steeped in centuries of maritime tradition.

Explore how Wanchese’s legacy as a working waterfront continues to thrive today, from its world-renowned boat-building industry to its active marinas and public boating access at the Dare County-operated Wanchese Boat Ramp. Viewers are introduced to local landmarks such as Pigum Walker Park, managed by the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department, and the Roanoke Island Marshes Nature Preserve, where trails and wetlands offer a glimpse into the island’s natural landscape. Also highlighted is the role of the historic Wanchese Community Building, which serves as a cornerstone of village life and a prime spot for hosting local events and gatherings.

“Discover Hidden Dare: Wanchese” captures the authentic character of this close-knit fishing village—where craftsmanship, resilience and community pride continue to define daily life. Through thoughtful storytelling and vivid imagery, the video offers audiences an inside look at how the village of Wanchese on Roanoke Island honors its past while embracing its future.

To view the video on Dare County’s YouTube channel, please click the button below. For more detailed information about Wanchese, please visit DareNC.gov/Wanchese.

As we enjoy the holiday season this year—making special meals, gathering with loved ones and decorating our homes—it’s important to keep safety in mind so the festivities remain merry and bright. Here are a few tips to help prevent home fires and keep your family safe this season!

Inspect Decorative Lighting
Before stringing your lights along the roofline or wrapping them around the tree, give each strand a quick but thorough inspection. Toss any sets containing cracked bulbs, damaged plugs or worn wiring, as these can increase the risk of fire. Only use lights labeled specifically for indoor or outdoor use as recommended—and don’t forget to switch off or unplug your lighting when you head to bed or leave your home.

Keep Live Trees Well-Watered
A dry Christmas tree can ignite in a matter of seconds if it comes into contact with a heat source, turning a small spark into a dangerous and potentially deadly fire. Make watering your live tree part of your daily routine to keep it well-hydrated and reduce the risk of fire. Once the holidays wrap up—or when the tree begins to shed its needles—dispose of it promptly to prevent a potential fire from occurring.

Keep Clear of Heat Sources
In addition to keeping your tree well-watered, ensure it’s been given plenty of breathing room by keeping it at least three feet away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, candles, space heaters and vents. This protective spacing helps prevent accidental ignition and also ensures any exits in your living space remain clear should you need to escape quickly.

Use Candles Carefully
If candles are part of your holiday decor, keep them at least a foot away from any items that could catch fire—and always place them in sturdy holders set on stable surfaces. If you’re searching for a safer option, consider decorating with battery-powered flameless candles, which offer the same festive glow without the risk of catching fire.

Stay Safe in the Kitchen
Holiday cooking can be hectic, so staying attentive at all times is essential to preventing potential kitchen fires. Never leave the stovetop unattended, and keep all combustible items—such as dish towels and pot holders—away from open flames or hot burners. If your holiday plans include frying a turkey, do so outdoors on a level surface located a safe distance away from any buildings or other structures. Be sure to keep an eye on the fryer at all times, and always keep a fire extinguisher handy when cooking!

By keeping these tips in mind when you celebrate, you can help ensure your family and friends enjoy a safe and stress-free holiday season. From all of us at Dare County Government, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Meet Addy, our Outer Banks SPCA Pet of the Week! Addy was brought into the care of the SPCA with the help of animal control. Since arriving at the shelter, she has opened up, showing off her playful side. She plays great with other dogs and also loves people!

Click here to watch a video produced by Current TV, or stop by the Outer Banks SPCA, (which is located within the Dare County Animal Shelter at 378 Airport Road in Manteo) anytime during the hours listed below for a meet and greet!

Outer Banks SPCA Adoption Hours:

Monday to Friday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for naptime)
Saturday & Sunday: By appointment only