Rock The Cape - Gallery Tour

Rock the cape

Celebrating the Arts on Hatteras Island

2026 Rock The Cape Gallery Tour

The 14th Annual Rock The Cape Art Gallery Tour will be held on Friday, September 18 from 10:00am to 5:00pm, and this year the event is expanding to include the island’s beloved bookstore and two additional galleries.

The free, family-friendly event is an all day self-guided tour of the galleries on Hatteras Island.

Ten art galleries and one bookstore from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village will be participating in this year’s Rock The Cape. The participating galleries will have demonstrations, classes, sales, raffles, music, food and drink, and more happening at their locations.

For a full list of the galleries, their hours, locations and what they will be offering during the Gallery tour, read the section below or click here.

Gallery Tours Details

The Rock The Cape Gallery Tour will be held on Friday, September 18.

Below is a list of the 11 participating creative spaces, listed from south to north on the island, but choose your own adventure.

Blue Pelican Gallery in Hatteras
Family Jewels in Hatteras
The Blue Lagoon in Frisco
Red Drum Pottery in Frisco
Empty Nest Studio & Gallery in Frisco
Buxton Village Books in Buxton
Artistic Treasures in Buxton
Swell Art: Gallery & Gifts in Buxton
Studio 12 in Avon
Pea Island Art Gallery in Salvo
Island Art House in Rodanthe

For a full list of the galleries, their hours, locations and what they will be offering during the Gallery tour, click the button below.

Tour Details

Rock the Cape Festival History

Rock the Cape was started in 2012 as an initiative to celebrate the artists, musicians, and artistic community on Hatteras Island. It was Dare Arts first attempt in establishing an annual event on Cape Hatteras. For years the event featured a big concert at Koru Village's Beach Klub, and then the event transformed into a few smaller events including an island art show, live music, art demonstrations, etc.

In 2025, Dare Arts reimagined Rock The Cape to a gallery tour to better support the art galleries and artistic community on the island.

2026 Sponsors

This project is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau.

This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.