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.

Whether you’re planning a fall getaway or a fun-filled daycation, this fall guide has everything you need to help you, your friends, and your entire family 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 16-17
The Durham Arts Council is hosting the 48th 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, and families are welcome.

Bull City Summit | September 18-24
Bull City Summit is more than a business conference; it's a festival celebrating innovation in music, the arts, science and technology. Gather with fellow creatives, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs and thought leaders for speakers and programming and a great lineup of musical performances.

Pride: Durham | September 23
Pride: Durham 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. Start with a parade and festival at Duke East Campus before heading to CCB Plaza for a concert.

Vintage Baseball at the DAP | September 23
Imagine the Historic Durham Athletic Park as it was when it began hosting baseball games in 1926 at this double-header vintage baseball game. 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.

Slingshot Festival | October 7-9
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!

Made in Durham: A Little Brother Block Party | October 7
Made in Durham is an outdoor event in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Durham rap duo Little Brother's debut album, The Listening. Expect live performances, food trucks, vendors and more at the 300 block of East Main Street, outside the new music venue and event space, Missy Lane's Assembly Room.

Blacktoberfest – The Masters | October 14
Blacktoberfest – The Masters highlights Brew Masters and Pit Masters alike, and celebrates the rich and diverse culture of Black-owned businesses. Join the fun with an amazing celebration of beer, barbecue, art and entertainment on Oct 14.

Barktoberfest | October 28
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.

A Festival of Fabulous Mums | November 4-5
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 4-5
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 the Duke University home games on September 4, 9, 16 & 30; October 14; and November 2 & 25 at the Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Head to the O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium on September 2 & 30, October 26, and November 4 & 18 to watch the North Carolina Central University Eagles defend their 2022 HBCU National Championship title.

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 “Funny Girl” to “MJ The Musical”, 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 Judge John Hodgman, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue 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. Ella West Gallery is a highlight for this fall. The contemporary gallery dedicated to diverse, underrepresented artists from around the world celebrates its opening in August with boundary-pushing art 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 13 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 Halloween, head to the West Point on the Eno for the 35th 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.