Discover Durham This Fall, Y’all

Seriously, fallin’ for fall in Durham is inevitable. It’s finally time for cozy sweaters, fall festivals and all sorts of seasonal beverages. (Hey there, pumpkin spice!) We also get to witness an explosion of colors as the trees in the city change from lush green to vibrant reds and oranges ─ a seasonal spectacle that never gets old.

Plan a fall getaway or a fun-filled daycation to experience this magical time of year.

1. Chill at a fall festival or event

Get ready for games, arts and crafts, outdoor music, people, beer and a little more beer at Durham’s fall festivals, events and celebrations.

Bull City Beer Challenge | September 13 - December 31

Take part in the Bull City Beer Challenge and earn a free t-shirt. From September 13th to the end of the year, visit at least 12 of the 23 participating breweries and businesses to complete the challenge. All you need to do is download the Discover Durham App then, click on the challenge from the homepage, and then scan the challenge QR codes when you visit a location. There will also be six fun events planned throughout the duration of the challenge that will count as check-ins.

Duke Arts at American Tobacco Campus | Wednesdays in September

Kicking off on September 3rd, American Tobacco Campus will host a live music series every Wednesday organized by a partnership between Duke Arts and Hayti Heritage Center. While this series occurs every year, this year is even more special. The artists of this year's series were selected in celebration of the Hayti Heritage Center's 50th anniversary. Shop around or dine at ATC's restaurants then enjoy live music celebrating the heritage and experiences of Americans of african Descent.

CenterFest Arts Festival| September 20-21

The Durham Arts Council is hosting the 50th Annual CenterFest, an art and community-focused street festival in downtown Durham. The two days of festival fun will include art from creators from Durham and across the state and country, music, dance, street performers, a Creative Kids' Zone and community groups providing information. Admission is free with a $5 suggested donation, and families are welcome.

Vintage Baseball at the DAP | September 27

Imagine Historic Durham Athletic Park as it was when it began hosting baseball games in 1926 at this vintage baseball game, where four teams will play a total of six games. See players wearing historical uniforms, following vintage gameplay rules and using the original equipment as they honor the struggles and achievements of the many players who have brought us the Durham baseball culture we know today.

Pride: Durham, NC | September 26 - 28

Pride: Durham, NC is all about unity and celebrating equality in Durham. This year's theme, "We Are the Rainbow," calls all celebrants to come together and to recognize our collective power, particularly with our coalitions, our environments, and our futures. Pride: Durham, NC has blossomed into a three-day event and celebration. On Friday, gather for a Justice Concert & Rally. Saturday festivities include the Community Parade & March beginning at noon on Duke's East Campus with a Health & Wellness Kickback to follow. Sunday, finish the weekend of events by shopping local LGBTQIA makers at the Vendor & Food Truck Market at Durham Central Park.

Luftgekühlt | October 4

Head to the American Tobacco Campus on October 4 for this ticketed, one-of-a-kind car show. Devoted to Porsche's air-cooled cars, built from 1948 to 1998, this curated experiential event will show off these pieces of history surrounded by the striking architecture of ATC.

Slingshot Festival | October 10-12

Slingshot is the international nexus for music, electronic arts and technology in the South. Get ready for a weekend of music from leaders in electronic music.

Fall FestiBull | October 11-12

Meet the harvest season with two days of Fall fun at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Organized by NC Eat & Play, this festival will include all kinds of fall themed activities, booths and more. Ride the Wool E. Bull Hey Wagon or try your hand at Pumpkin Batting Practice. Enjoy line dancing, face painting, a scarecrow slide, corn kernel sand box and more. You can buy tickets for $15 for visitors 13 and up and $9 for kids ages 3-12.

Blacktoberfest | October 18

Blacktoberfest is a celebration of Black culture, community and creativity, featuring a diverse array of food, music, art and entertainment. Along with the 30 breweries represented, the event's fifth year will also feature six Black-owned wine and spirit brands. The popular festival brings together local vendors and food trucks for a celebration of local flavor and community.

Barktoberfest | October 25

Durham Parks and Recreation has an afternoon of fun for you and your pup. Meet at Durham Central Park with your fur baby in tow.

Celebrate Spooky Season | Dates Through October

Durham does it up for Halloween. From crafting events to haunted trails and everything in between, check out our blog post for a rundown of Halloween events in Durham.

Griot & Grey Owl | November 7 - 9

Join in writers' workshops and attend author readings at the Griot & Grey Owl Black Southern Writers Conference. A celebration of Black Southern literature, this conference is the first writing conference in the Triangle that focuses on bringing together Black writers.

NC Comicon | November 8 - 9

Embrace your inner geek at this two-day gathering that celebrates world-building, cosplay, collectibles and more with panels, special guests and costume competitions.

Liberty Arts Iron Pour and Batalá Durham Concert | November 15

Now in its 9th year, the Liberty Arts Iron Pour is a quintessentially Durham event each fall. Equal parts free public arts event in Durham Central Park and fundraiser supporting local youth and veterans through creativity, the Iron Pour is a spectacle to behold. Iron workers pour molten iron into molds at fiery hot temperatures for a crowd of thousands as they enjoy food trucks, vendors, performances, craft beer and performances from Batalá Durham. This year will include a very special 10th anniversary performance from the Afro-Brazilian percussion ensemble.

Festibull of Lights | November 21

The Durham Bulls Athletic Park will be getting a cold weather makeover at the end of fall, complete with a dazzling light display park wide. This immersive holiday light experience will include festive music, a chance to meet Santa, festive food and drinks, arts and crafts, s'mores making, private igloo rentals and more. Tickets are available in a range of options included day and season passes.

2. See the leaves change color

Mother Nature always puts on a fall foliage show in Durham. Check out some places where you and your Instagram followers (do it for the gram) can take in the crisp weather and enjoy the vibrant colors of autumn.

• Take a leisurely stroll through Durham Central Park or one of the 68 parks managed by Durham Parks and Recreation.
• Hike or mountain bike the American Tobacco Trail or trails at Falls Lake in October for fall color perfection.
• Adventurous types can opt to see the leaves from the water on a guided kayak tour with Frog Hollow Outdoors or Two Sisters Adventure Company.
• Leaf peepers are guaranteed to dig the 55-acres of botanical wonderland at Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

3. Sip a seasonal beverage

When you want the flavor of fall, Durham’s got it all. From coffee to beer, we’ve got you covered with a list of places serving up delicious, and extremely necessary seasonal beverages all around Durham.

Sure, pumpkin spice lattes are good, but Durham is ready for fall with various fall drinks. Stop by Yonderlust Cafe for a cozy fall latte while you shop gear for your next outdoor adventure, or visit one of the other cafes in our best coffee spots in Durham roundup.

Alley Twenty Six, Kingfisher, Bar Virgile, Arcana and Conniption Bar & Lounge are all cocktail bars in downtown Durham that feature unique pairings in a relaxed setting.

Celebrate Oktoberfest in Durham

Celebrate Oktoberfest all fall long, whether you attend an event or not. Pumpkin and fall-themed flavors pair well with hops, too. Here’s a guide to some of the breweries in Durham that will be brewing up seasonal flavors to help you get your brew on.

Beyond Durham Oktoberfest, multiple breweries across town will hold events to showcase their seasonal brews, including Ponysaurus, Atomic Clock and The Glass Jug.

4. Cheer on the Blue Devils and Eagles

As home to both Duke University and North Carolina Central University, there’s always college football action in autumn. Get the family decked out in face paint, don your Blue Devils and Eagles attire, and cheer on two of the best Bull City teams.

Get your tickets to Duke University home games on September 6 and 20, October 18, and November 15 and 29 at the Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Head to the O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium on August 30, September 13, October 25, and November 8 and 14 to watch the North Carolina Central University Eagles.

NCCU fans and alumni won't want to miss The Ultimate Homecoming Experience, a weeklong gathering and celebration of all things Eagles October 17-25. Join for class reunions and parties culminating with a parade, football game and afterparty in the center of campus.

For a full preview of fall sports in Durham, check out this guide from the Durham Sports Commission.

5. Pick the perfect pumpkin

Whether you need pumpkins to carve or pumpkin-flavored foods to satisfy your seasonal tastebuds, Durham is full of wonderful places where you can get your pumpkin fix.

Head on down to the orchard or farm for some fall family fun. Perkins Orchard, a fruit and vegetable stand located in the heart of Southeast Durham has pumpkins, produce and funnel cakes. Holder Hill Farm provides a wide variety of pumpkins as well as play areas, hayrides, corn mazes and walking trails.

6. Shop for fall swag

Make sure you’ve got your Bull City fall gear and those coveted Durham wares to show you’ve been here. From Hometown Apparel to BullCity Apparel to the Durham Bulls Ballpark Corner Store, we’ll absolutely make sure you’ve got what you need to step out in style.

7. Dine outside on a patio

Autumn days in Durham equate to perfectly sunny and cool weather, which of course is the best time to dine outside on a patio. Savor the flavor with a bit of elbow room and treat yourself, your friends and family, or your special someone to one of Durham’s local restaurants with spacious outdoor seating.

8. See Durham’s public art

No matter where you are in Durham, you are steps away from discovering museum-worthy public art. Soak up this perfect fall weather and travel by foot, bike, scooter, bus, or car on a self-guided tour around the city and county to experience art while learning about Durham, enjoying unique attractions, and sampling local fare.

9. Take in a live performance or gallery show

Durham’s music and arts scene is automatic, supersonic, hypnotic and funky fresh. From hip hop and soulful jazz to Broadway shows and independent galleries, there’s always something happening for the art lovers in the Bull City.

• The Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) brings in big-name Broadway shows and hosts over 200 performances yearly. From “The Outsiders” to “Beauty and the Beast,” multiple exciting performances are coming to the DPAC stage this fall. See the full list of musical performances, comedians and shows.
• The Carolina Theatre fall lineup includes Eric Johnson, José González and much more. A full list of upcoming live events can be found here.
• Duke Arts has an exciting lineup this fall, including the return of live music at American Tobacco Campus. Choose from performances, screenings and shows by world-renowned artists on the stages of Duke University, downtown Durham and beyond.
• The Blue Note Grill is a family-owned and operated restaurant and live-music venue with a list of live fall shows.
• Head to Motorco Music Hall and its accompanying restaurant Parts & Labor to enjoy performances in a smaller setting. The Pinhook, a welcoming downtown bar and live music venue, has a fall roundup of community events, performances and dance parties.
• The Brightleaf District will holds its own Brightleaf Concert Series that features soul, jazz indie folk-pop and Afrocentric music. The first event of the series was held August 15 and the second will be September 12. Get there early to shop around or grab food before the music starts.

Durham's jazz scene is a well-known treasure with renowned musicians playing at venues across town. The highly anticipated Missy Lane's Assembly Room is the newest venue on the scene, and local musician Al Strong ran down his favorite spots to see live jazz in a video for our Instagram.

If visual art is more your speed, Durham's Third Friday Art Walk is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the city's galleries. Don't miss a stop at Ella West Gallery, dedicated to diverse, underrepresented artists from around the world on Parrish Street, where it stands on the shoulders of the Black entrepreneurs, artists and activists who built Durham.

10. Embrace the spooky season

The Bull City does spooky season right, with Halloween events happening all over town. While some events are announced closer to October 31, many organizations have their dates announced well in advance.

Get into the Halloween spirit at Fright Night, Durham Parks & Recreation’s Friday, October 17 event. Kids of all ages are welcome to wear their favorite costumes and enjoy carnival games and a haunted house at Rock Quarry Park.

On October 18, head to the West Point on the Eno for the 37th annual Hallow-Eno, an evening full of family fun (mostly for ages 12 and under) complete with campfire stories and songs, hayrides, treats, crafts, games and face painting.

For all the grown-ups, we’ve rounded up a list of bars and nightlife with the best music, drinks and spooky atmosphere.

Durham has approximately 70 lodging options, ranging from large conference centers and boutique hotels to cozy bed and breakfasts and locally-owned inns, plus over 1,000 active rentals on Airbnb and VRBO. Here’s everything you need to know about where to stay, what to explore and how to discover Durham safely.