How to Celebrate Labor Day in Durham
Labor Day may mark the (unofficial) end of summer, but that doesn't mean the good times have to end.
When it's your last three-day weekend of summer, you've gotta go big and do it right. As we bid the longer days a bittersweet farewell and welcome all things fall (hello pumpkin spice), it's time to plan that final road trip and spend the long weekend resting, exploring, dreaming and dining in Durham with family and friends.
If you enjoy outdoor activities, live music, cocktails, beer and top-rated restaurants and accommodations, plan a weekend getaway to Durham to soak up the last rays of summer in those white shorts. Laborious? Nope, not this weekend. We're making things as easy as possible with this list of Labor Day accommodations, events and fun things to do!
Enjoy Live Music, Events & Shows
From hip hop and soulful jazz to art galleries and shows, there’s always something exciting happening in the Bull City.
Friday Night Live Music on the Lawn | August 29
Go to Bull McCabe's Friday night for live music featuring multiple local artists. Enjoy drinks, food, and yard games while you kick back and relax at this family friendly music event.
Hammer No More the Fingers at Motorco | August 29
Long time local legends Hammer No More the Fingers will be rocking out at Motorco on Labor Day Weekend. Come to the show for a good time, good music and good drinks.
Freaky Fridays | August 29
Club ERA, Durham's only Gay, Queer, Trans nightclub and Bar, invites you to come and Freak out on the dance floor Labor Day Weekend. Every Friday, it's a dance party at Club Era, with curated sets from Durham's best DJs till 2 in the morning.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band All The Good Times: The Farewell Tour | August 29
Say goodbye to the three-time Grammy Award-winning Nitty Gritty Dirt Band as The Farewell Tour stops at The Carolina Theatre.
Outdoor Movie Series @Crank Arm | August 30
Crank Arm's outdoor movie series is a great way to spend your Saturday night. Pull up with a chair or a blanket, grab a beer and some free popcorn from the bar, and enjoy the film.
Saturday Night Dance Party | August 30
Looking to dance your way through Labor Day Weekend? Head to The Velvet Hippo. They hold a dance party every Saturday, so you know you won't be the only one there breaking it down. Enjoy specialty cocktails, late night eats, and live DJ sets.
Durham Underground Market | August 31
Sunday night, you can find an awesome market and live music event happening at Durham Central Park. Featuring local acts, 45+ local vendors, food trucks, and more, the Durham Underground Market is a great low-key option to take you into Labor Day.
Pre-Labor Day on the Roof: Sunday Set with DJ Skylan | August 31
Pregame your Labor Day with a rooftop DJ set at The Roof at the Durham. Enjoy skyline views, dancing, food specials, a build-your-own spritz bar and more from 2 - 5 pm.
Islands in the Alley | August 31
Head to Alley Twenty Six for their last summertime cocktail pop-up for the season. The bar will be decked out with vacation-themed decor and offer a special food and drink menu inspired by popular vacation destinations.
RuPaul's Drag Race Werq the World Tour | August 31
Join the finalists from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 17 with performances and red carpet commentary at DPAC.
Cheer on a Local Team
There are many reasons for sports fans to stay in town this Labor Day weekend. It's that magical time of year when college football season overlaps with Durham Bulls baseball. What could be better?
Duke vs. Elon | August 28
Two NC teams will battle it out when Duke football takes on Elon. Snag tickets to the matchup at Wallace Wade Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Bring the tailgate into the stadium with the Devil's Deck.
Durham Bulls vs. Worcester| August 30
Nothing says Labor Day like a good old fashioned day at the ball park. Cruise on over to DBAP to watch local favorites, The Durham Bulls, face off against the Worcester Red Sox. Enjoy hot dogs, beers, baseball and more.
North Carolina Central University vs. Southern University | August 30
Head over to O'Kelley-Riddick Stadium to watch the NCCU Eagles clash against the SU Jaguars. NCCU fans are sure to show out for this match up, so come ready for a good show.
Explore the Great Outdoors
Durham’s city vibe is paired with easy access to the wonders of nature in the form of lakes, forests, beautiful gardens and trails. Our outdoor adventure guide will help you unplug for a few hours and get in touch with nature.
Labor day weekend is the perfect time to plan a trip to one of Durham's popular attractions. Explore Sarah P. Duke Gardens, a 55-acre botanical wonderland in Durham. The Museum of Life and Science has over 35 indoor and outdoor exhibits for all ages, including a zoo, an aquarium, an aerospace museum, a science lab, a nature preserve, a conservatory, an old-time railway and more.
Forget the zoo. Book a tour at the Duke Lemur Center (DLC), the world's largest sanctuary for endangered lemurs outside Madagascar, for various tours, including a VIP behind-the-scenes experience.
Falls Lake is great for dock or bank fishing or hiking along the Mountains to Sea Trail. Just make sure to check their website for trail closures before you go. Experience the outdoors and sign up for rock climbing, hiking and backpacking, canoeing, and paddling excursions with Frog Hollow Outdoors or take your adventure to the next level with Two Sisters Adventure Co., a local woman-led company.
See Murals & Public Art
Whether you’re hoping to see some of the well-known murals and landmarks around the city or looking to learn about Durham's history, we’ll make sure you don't miss a thing.
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.
Whether you're searching for the perfect Instagram background or visiting and looking for something inexpensive and fun to do outdoors, our mural starin' and drink pairin' guide will help you discover art around the city while sipping on a refreshing beverage.
Markers, murals, homes, and heritage coalesce to honor the stories of our African American community. Check out Durham’s African American Heritage Guide to learn more about the people and events that helped shape Durham into what it is today.
Eat Finger-lickin' good Barbecue
We tend to grill burgers and hotdogs for Memorial Day; turkeys are gobbled for Thanksgiving; and everyone (well, almost everyone) eats barbecue for Labor Day. Ready for a weekend full of smoked meat and beer? Here's a list of some of Durham's best barbecue spots.
Dine outside at a local Restaurant
Craving cacio e pepe, sambusa, mojo chicken empanadas and more? What about cold and creamy ice cream treats? Take your pick from one of the many restaurants where you can dine outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather.
Check out the Bars & Nightlife
Durham comes alive when the sun goes down. From late-night eats and dive bars to celebrated craft cocktails and venues with nationally touring acts, the Bull City’s energy will keep pace with you through the wee hours. Here's a guide to the city's vibrant bars and nightlife with the best music, drinks and atmosphere to keep the party going strong.
Book the best Accommodations
Durham has nearly 70 lodging options (with around 8,000 guest rooms), ranging from large conference centers and boutique hotels to cozy bed and breakfasts and locally-owned inns, plus over 1,000 active rentals with unique experiences on Airbnb and VRBO. Find everything you need to know about where to stay.
For a comprehensive list of all of the Durham events happening on Labor Day weekend, visit our events calendar.
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