Holiday Magic on the Outer Banks
Thanksgiving Dinner
This Thanksgiving, let The Lifesaving Station set the table while you focus on what matters most: time together. Join us for an elegant four-course Thanksgiving dinner featuring seasonal flavors, classic holiday favorites, and thoughtful coastal touches.
Begin with roasted sweet potato and apple bisque before enjoying a beautiful roasted pear and chicory salad. For the main course, choose between sage cornbread stuffed turkey breast, slow-roasted prime rib of beef, or a wild mushroom and butternut squash Wellington. Finish with your choice of spiced apple cider cheesecake or cranberry-orange bread pudding for a sweet taste of the season.
Thanksgiving at The Lifesaving Station is an opportunity to slow down, linger a little longer, and celebrate together over a memorable meal by the sea.
Thanksgiving Lunch & Dinner
12PM – 7PM
$90 per adult | $42 for children 12 and under
Price does not include tax and gratuity.
Seasonal Wine Dinners
Experience an intimate evening of exceptional food and wine at The Lifesaving Station this holiday season. Each wine dinner features a thoughtfully curated multi-course menu, with individually plated dishes paired with distinctive wines selected to complement every course. Set against the coastal beauty of the Outer Banks, these elevated dinners celebrate inspired cuisine, exceptional wine, and memorable hospitality.
Spanish Coast Wine Dinner
Discover the vibrant character of Spanish winemaking through a curated selection showcasing the diversity of Spain’s celebrated wine regions. From lively Cava and expressive aromatic whites to distinctive Bobal and a rich Garnacha-based red, each wine is thoughtfully paired to complement the evening’s courses and celebrate the unique varietals, terroir, and winemaking traditions of Spain.
First Course
Currituck Crab Croqueta with preserved lemon aioli, shaved fennel, pickled shallot and herb oil – paired with Joan Bundo Pons Cava
Second Course
Pan-Roasted Local Catch with saffron-tomato broth, charred leek, confit fennel and crispy garlic – paired with Penedes Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Moscatel de Alejandria
Third Course
Seared Duck Breast with smoked sweet potato puree, blackberry mostarda, roasted cipollini and natural jus – paired with Bobal Red
Fourth Course
Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Rib with manchego potato pave, smoked onion puree, crispy brussels sprouts leaves, and rosemary jus – paired with Aessir Expression Red
Swiss Terroir Wine Dinner
Explore the distinctive character of Swiss winemaking through a curated selection from Adrian’s, showcasing the elegance and individuality of Switzerland’s lesser-known wine regions. From vibrant sparkling and expressive whites to a refined Pinot Noir, each wine is thoughtfully paired to complement the evening’s courses and celebrate the unique terroir and biodynamic winemaking traditions of Switzerland.
First Course
North Carolina Oyster with green apple mignonette, cucumber, creme fraiche, and trout roe – paired with Adrian’s Crémant Brut
Second Course
Seared Sea Scallop with celeriac puree, compressed apple, brown butter, and toasted hazelnut – paired with Adrian’s Elbling
Third Course
Pan-Roasted Local Catch with leek-potato fondue, charred asparagus, gooseberry beurre blanc, and dill oil – paired with Adrian’s Sauvignon Blanc
Fourth Course
Herb-roasted Duck Breast with wild mushroom spatzle, sour cherry, braised red cabbage, natural jus – paired with Adrian’s Pinot Noir
Make your holiday getaway a little more coastal this year.
At The Sanderling, Christmas comes with a distinctly Outer Banks twist. Waiting in your room is a beautifully decorated crab pot Christmas tree, inspired by the commercial fishing traditions that are woven into the history and character of our coast. What began as a practical part of life on the water becomes a uniquely Sanderling holiday tradition bringing the spirit of the Outer Banks into your own private retreat.
Settle in and enjoy a festive welcome basket filled with everything you need for a cozy night in, including hot cocoa, holiday toppings, seasonal snacks and sweet treats. And because the best holiday memories are the ones you take with you, you’ll also receive a Sanderling ornament to bring home and hang on your tree for years to come.
Whether you’re gathering with family, planning a coastal winter escape or simply looking for a little holiday magic by the sea, this is Christmas the Sanderling way—warm, welcoming and unmistakably Outer Banks.
Valid on stays 11/27-1/3.
Festive Family Experiences
Gather for Christmas
Join us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for an elevated holiday dining experience at the Lifesaving Station Restaurant, where thoughtfully prepared cuisine, gracious service, and coastal charm come together. Gather around the table, savor every course, and let us take care of the details while you celebrate the season together.
Christmas Eve Dinner at the Lifesaving Station
Starter
Choice of:
Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque
Maple Crème Fraîche | Toasted Pepitas | Sage Brown Butter
OR
Seared Scallops
Sweet Corn Purée | Crispy Prosciutto | Micro Basil
OR
Winter Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
Arugula | Candied Pecans | Citrus Vinaigrette
Entree
Choice of:
8 oz Center-Cut Filet Mignon
Potato Pave | Mushroom Conserva | Smoked Collards | Cabernet Demi-Glace
OR
Pan-Seared Rockfish
Carolina Gold Rice | Leek and Sweet Corn Succotash | Lemon-Thyme Beurre Blanc
OR
Maple-Glazed Bone-In Pork Ribeye
Brown Butter Carrot Purée | Bacon Braised Brussels Sprouts | Cornbread Crumble | Apple Bourbon Demi-Glace
OR
Wild Mushroom Risotto (V)
Shaved Parmesan | Truffle Oil | Crispy Sage
Dessert
Choice of:
Brown Butter Apple Cider Cheesecake
Creamy Apple Cider Cheesecake | Brown Butter Streusel | Spiced Apple Compote | Salted Caramel
OR
Warm Cranberry-Orange Bread Pudding
Buttery Brioche | Cranberries | Fresh Orange Zest | Vanilla Bean Creme Anglaise | Candied Orange
Christmas Dinner at the Lifesaving Station
Starter
Choice of:
Lobster Bisque
Cognac Cream | Chive Oil | Butter-Poached Lobster Garnish
OR
Roasted Pear & Stilton Salad
Baby Arugula | Spiced Pecans | Port Wine Vinaigrette
OR
Braised Short Rib Ravioli
Wild Mushroom Velouté | Crispy Shallots | Micro Thyme
Entree
Choice of:
8 oz Filet Mignon
Potato Pave | Grilled White Asparagus | Mushroom Conserva| Bone Marrow Demi-Glace
OR
Maple-Brined Bone-In Pork Ribeye
Sweet Potato Purée | Bacon Braised Brussels | Cornbread Crumble | Apple-Pomegranate Jus
OR
Seared Halibut
Saffron Risotto | Tomato Confit | Basil Beurre Blanc
OR
Wild Mushroom & Truffle Risotto (V)
Aged Parmesan | Crispy Leeks | Winter Herbs
Dessert
Choice of:
Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding
Bourbon Toffee Sauce | Vanilla Gelato
OR
Eggnog Crème Brûlée
Nutmeg Dust | Gingersnap Crumble
OR
Flourless Chocolate Tart
Candied Orange Peel | Sea Salt Caramel Drizzle
Home for the Holidays
Make the holidays feel a little more special with a stay in one of our private residences. Gather together in the comfort and privacy of your own coastal home, with spacious living areas made for lingering, relaxing, and celebrating. Settle in with a festive welcome, complete with a beautifully decorated crab pot Christmas tree, cozy hot cocoa, holiday treats, and seasonal snacks. Take home a Sanderling ornament as a keepsake from your coastal Christmas. Wake up to the beauty of the Outer Banks, enjoy festive days by the sea, and create cherished holiday traditions together; all with the thoughtful amenities and hospitality close at hand.
New Year’s Eve Celebration – Midnight on the Banks
First Course
North Carolina Oyster & Caviar
Champagne Sabayon | Pickled Apple | Chive Oil | American Sturgeon Caviar
Second Course
Roasted Celery Root Velouté
Butter-Poached Blue Crab | Black Truffle | Crispy Leeks | Herb Oil
Third Course
Pan-Seared Diver Scallop
Parsnip Silk | Pomegranate Gastrique | Crispy Country Ham | Brown Butter
Fourth Course
Braised Short Rib Pappardelle
Wild Mushroom Ragout | Red Wine Jus | Aged Pecorino | Crispy Shallots
Fifth Course
Choice of:
Roasted Sea Bass
Saffron-Shellfish Consommé | Fondant Potato | Roasted Pearl Onions | Crispy Garlic Brussels Sprout Leaves
OR
Six-Ounce Filet of Beef*
Celery Root Gratin | Glazed Baby Carrots | Black Truffle-Bone Marrow Jus
Finale
Dark Chocolate & Bourbon Cherry Bread Pudding
Salted Caramel | Candied Hazelnuts | Vanilla Bean Gelato