Currituck Beach Lighthouse 150th Illumination Celebration
Honoring 150 Years of Light
This fall, join us in celebrating a century and a half of maritime history, preservation, and community at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse. From November 12 through December 1, a series of special programs and events will honor the lighthouse’s enduring legacy and those who have kept its light shining since 1875.
Dates: November 12 – December 1
Location: Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Corolla, NC
Admission: Most events are free; donations support ongoing lighthouse preservation.
Donate & support lighthouse preservationCurrituck Beach Lighthouse 150th Illumination Celebration Event Schedule
Wednesday–Sunday, November 12–23
Twelve Days of Currituck Beach Lighthouse Keepers’ House Tours
Step back in time with guided tours of the restored Keepers’ House. Learn about the families who tended the light and the daily lives that kept the beam burning bright.
- Times: 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM (daily with reservations)
- Reservations: Call 252-453-4939 or email currituckbeachlighthouse@obcinc.org
- Donations appreciated.
Friday, November 28
Corolla Craft Village & Holiday Market
- 11 AM–4 PM: Corolla Craft Village
Explore local artisans and handmade treasures in the heart of historic Corolla Village. - 4–8 PM: Corolla Village Holiday Market
Enjoy holiday lights, music, and coastal cheer as you shop local.
Saturday, November 29
Celebrating 150 Years & A Lens That Changed the World
- 4–5 PM: A Short History of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse & “Augustin Fresnel: Through a New Lens” – A Living History Performance
Experience the story of the man whose invention revolutionized lighthouse illumination. - 4–8 PM: Corolla Village Holiday Market
- 5–8 PM: Private Lighthouse Reception (Invite Only)
A special evening for invited guests at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.
Sunday, November 30
History, Heritage & Nature
- 11 AM – 12 PM: A Short History of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse & “Augustin Fresnel: Through a New Lens”
(Second performance) - 2 PM: Nature Walk with Corolla Wild Horse Fund
Join a guided exploration of the Currituck Banks Maritime Trail and learn about the wild horses that roam our shores.
Monday, December 1 – The 150th Anniversary Day!
Free Lighthouse Climbs & Sunset Celebration
- 11 AM–4 PM: Free Climbs at the Currituck Beach Lighthouse
(Donations appreciated) - 4–5 PM: Anniversary Celebration
Join us for speeches, sparklers, cake, and a champagne toast to another 150 years of light.
(Rain or shine — bring a friend!)
Special Event Highlight
Augustin Fresnel: Through a New Lens
In celebration of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse’s 150th anniversary, the Outer Banks Conservationists and The Northern Outer Banks proudly present Joseph Smith, a New York–based living history performer, in two special performances of his one-man play “Augustin Fresnel: Through a New Lens.”
Through storytelling and drama, Smith brings to life Augustin Fresnel (1788–1827) — the French physicist and engineer whose revolutionary lens transformed maritime navigation. The first-order Fresnel lens installed in the Currituck Beach Lighthouse in 1875 remains one of the last of its kind still lighting the coast today.
Both performances will take place at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla.
Admission: Free (donations welcome to support the lighthouse’s preservation).
Plan Your Visit
- Location: Currituck Beach Lighthouse, Corolla, NC
- Contact: Call 252-453-4939 or email currituckbeachlighthouse@obcinc.org
- Admission: Most events are free; donations support ongoing lighthouse preservation.
- Parking: Available throughout Corolla Village
- Accessibility: Limited; please contact us for accommodations.
