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.

CenterFest | September 21-22

The Durham Arts Council is hosting the 49th 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 28

Imagine the Historic Durham Athletic Park as it was when it began hosting baseball games in 1926 at this vintage baseball game where 4 teams will play a total of 6 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 28 - 29

Pride: Durham, NC is all about unity and celebrating equality in Durham. This year's theme, "Give Them Their Flowers," offers honor and gratitude for the courage and leadership of the trans communities. Pride: Durham, NC will go for two days this year, instead of just one like the previous years. On Saturday, enjoy a pop-up market, concert and food truck station downtown. Start Sunday off with a parade and festival at Duke East Campus and afterwards head back to the start for a community kickback.

Slingshot Festival | October 4-5

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.

Blacktoberfest | October 12

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 5th iteration of this event will also feature 6 Black-owned wine and spirit brands. The popular festival brings together local vendors and food trucks for a celebration of local flavor and community.

Harvest Festival at Duke Gardens | October 20

Round up the whole family and head to Duke Gardens for its fall Harvest Festival. Enjoy music, activities, live demonstrations and more, all for free.

Barktoberfest | October 26

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 1-3

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.

A Festival of Fabulous Mums | November 2-3

Dazzle your eyes with an explosion of fall color at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, where a display of show mums wows in the Doris Duke Center and outside in the Culberson Asiatic Arboretum. A flower show competition will showcase the skill of designers near and far. Admission is free and fun for all ages.

NC Comicon | November 9-10

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

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 trails at the Eno River State Park, the American Tobacco Trail, or Little River Regional Park in October for fall color perfection.
• Adventurous types can opt to see the leaves from the water on a guided kayak tour of Falls Lake with Frog Hollow Outdoors or discover the Eno with Two Sister’s 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 the recently opened 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.

It turns out 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 some seasonal flavors to help you get your brew on.

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

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 14 and 28, October 18 and 26, and November 23 at the Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Head to the O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium on September 7 and 21, October 12 and 26, and November 15 to watch the North Carolina Central University Eagles defend their 2022 HBCU National Championship title.

NCCU fans and alumni won't want to miss The Ultimate Homecoming Experience, a weeklong gathering and celebration of all things Eagles. 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 “Clue” to “&Juliet,” 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 Dweezil Zappa, 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.

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

Get into the Halloween spirit at Fright Night, Durham Parks & Recreation’s Friday, October 11 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 26, head to the West Point on the Eno for the 36th 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.