Your Guide to Blacktoberfest - The Masters

The events below occurred in 2023. For details on the 2024 Blacktoberfest event, check back closer to the date.

The fourth annual Blacktoberfest is Black Brew Culture's celebration of beer, music, entertainment and vendors, plus a four-category barbecue competition and three days of events hosted by Proximity Brewing Company and Mike D's BBQ Smokehouse and Retail.

Festival Highlights

Location: Garland Court, 491 S Driver St.
Date: October 14, 2023
Time: 12-8 p.m.
Buy Tickets

General Admission: $45

Festival admission includes a 5 oz. Blacktoberfest tasting glass, unlimited 5 oz. pours from 65 participating partners, including sixteen special collaborations, plus 40+ food and retail vendors, live bands and DJs. This year's Blacktoberfest signature brew is Blktobervest, a harvest ale made in partnership with Proximity Brewing Co.

VIP Three-Day Experience: $200

• Friday, October 13: exclusive barbecue dinner with pairings at Mike D's BBQ, 455 S. Driver St. followed by a bottle share presented by Black Brew Culture at Proximity Brewing and special access to Pitmasters' tents.
• Saturday, October 14: all-day event includes swag and special access to the festival's VIP section and soft-opening at the city’s first Black-owned brewery, Proximity Brewing Company, plus an indoor lounge area with a DJ and afterparty.
• Sunday, October 15: Brewers' Brunch with live entertainment.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to relax and enjoy the entertainment at the main stage.

BBQ Sampler Experience: $75

An add-on to general admission tickets for Saturday's festival, including early access to exclusive and limited pours, unlimited pours from participating partners and a BBQ sampler session from 12-2 p.m.

Non-Alcohol Access: $25

Saturday festival admission for non-drinkers! 40+ food and retail vendors, live bands and DJs.

Black Brew Culture Bottle Share: $25
Friday, October 13, 5-9 p.m

A Friday night party and bottle share at Garland Court with exclusive beer tastings, music and small bites from Boriqua Soul.

Brewer's Brunch: $25
Sunday, October 15, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Durham Bottling Co., 506 Ramseur St.

A special Brewers' Appreciation Brunch with a Black Table, Black Tent panel discussion moderated by Mike Potter of Black Brew Culture and food and beverage pairings by Boriqua Soul.

All tickets are available at black-toberfest.com/tickets.

Where to Stay

If you're coming to town for Blacktoberfest, you'll want to experience more of the culture and community the city has to offer between beer and barbecue tastings and mingling with other festival-goers. To stay near the festival, spread out with a suite at Springhill Suites Durham City View.

If you'd like to stay near the small businesses, restaurants and bars downtown, try a boutique stay at The Durham Hotel where you can enjoy a nightcap at the rooftop bar. The Aloft Durham Downtown offers luxury and amenities in American Tobacco Campus.

For ease of access to the airport, plus proximity to shopping and dining in the Southpoint area, check out the Hilton Garden Inn Durham Southpoint.

Experience More of Durham

Let us be your guide as you get to know our city. Stop by the Visitor Info Center at 212 W. Main St. for maps, guides and plenty of tips from Discover Durham Destination Experts.

Here are a few resources to help you plan your trip:

Your Guide to All Things Fall in Durham
Durham's Hottest New Restaurants
Durham's Black-Owned Businesses
Bars and Nightlife