Outer Banks Halloween Parade of Costumes

The 9th Annual Outer Banks Halloween Parade of Costumes returned to Aviation Park in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina on Sunday, October 30, 2022, drawing a record number of attendees.

After being held as a virtual online-only event for the past two years, the Outer Banks’ biggest Halloween celebration was welcomed back as an in-person event for the first time since 2019 with the largest overall attendance ever, as hundreds of locals and visitors enjoyed a spirited afternoon under perfect fall weather.

Approximately one-third of all those registered were from outside of Dare County, and many from outside the state, with some families travelling from over eight hours away, further solidifying the Halloween Parade as a destination event for the Outer Banks.

The free, family friendly Halloween preparty kicked off with trick or treating provided by local nonprofit organizations around the frog pond at Aviation Park, plus first responder vehicles and props on display throughout the park for photos. The short walking parade along a portion of Veterans Drive and around the First Flight Elementary School parking lot began shortly after 3:00 p.m., followed by a brief Costume Contest judging ceremony for the Best In Show costumes in three categories.

The 2022 Best In Show trophy winners are Melanie Salinas of Kill Devil Hills for her hand-made dragon puppet in the Age 13 and Over category, Daix Monette of Currituck for her recreation of Darla from Finding Nemo in the Age 12 and Under category, and Rhex and Jhett Hrupsa of Kitty Hawk for their aliens in flying saucers costumes in the Group category.

Founded in 2014, the Outer Banks Halloween Parade is the largest Halloween event on the Outer Banks, drawing hundreds of participants and onlookers each year, while showcasing many of the area’s nonprofit organizations.

The 2022 Outer Banks Halloween Parade is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and Halloween Daily News.

You can watch the entire Parade, as well as a full walkthrough of the trick or treat stations, preparty highlights, Costume Contest judging ceremony, and exclusive winners interviews in the videos below, and then scroll down to view over 150 exclusive images in our photo gallery.