How to Celebrate Labor Day in Durham

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 | September 4

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.

Ian McMahan at Glass Jug RTP | September 4

Spend the night at Glass Jug RTP listening to the melodic acoustic tunes of Ian McMahan. Grab some food from Copperheads Burgers Food Truck and sip on a pint while you enjoy the music.

REZN at Stanczyk's | September 4

Fans of heavy music should make their way to Stanczyk's on Friday night for a show to remember. Psychedelic doom metal band REZN will headline the show, supported by openers Lockstep and Hilt. 

First Friday Karaoke | September 4

Be the star of the show this Labor Day Weekend at The Pinhook on Friday night. Step on the stage and sing to your heart's content or cheer on your friends singing all your favorite songs.

PLAYlist Concert Series: Africa Unplugged | September 4

Kick off labor day weekend right with Durham Central Park's PLAYlist concert series. Featuring the Greensboro based multi-genre band Africa Unplugged, this event will also have food trucks, drinks and local vendors.

Saturday Night Dance Party | September 5

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.

Beats N Bars Festival | September 5 & 6

Take part in the final chapter of a 10 year journey by attending Beats N Bars festival. For two days, Beats N Bars fills the city with hip hop and R&B music. 

Melissa Etheridge: RISE at the Carolina Theatre | September 5

Spend your evening at the Carolina Theatre listening to the joyful and triumphant tunes of Grammy award-winning artist Melissa Etheridge. 

Fall Movies in the Park: Zootopia | September 5

Round up the family for a fun, free outdoor movie viewing experience at Durham Central Park. Lay out a blanket or set up some chairs, grab some food from the food trucks, and enjoy the film.

Duke Symphony Orchestra: Pops Concert | September 6

Let your Labor Day Weekend build up to one of Duke's most anticipated yearly shows. Set up outdoors on the East Campus Quad, The Duke Symphony Orchestra will play for the public. Bring some friends, spread out on the lawn, and enjoy the beautiful melodies.

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. Tulane | September 5

Head over to Duke university to watch the Blue Devils take on Tulane. 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. Nashville | September 7

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 Nashville Sounds. Enjoy hot dogs, beers, baseball and more.

North Carolina Central University vs. Elizabeth City State University | September 5

Head over to O'Kelley-Riddick Stadium to watch the NCCU Eagles clash against the ECSU Vikings. NCCU fans are sure to show out for this match up, so come ready for a good show.

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 hiking along the Mountains to Sea Trail. Just make sure to check their website for trail closures before you go. Due to drought conditions, aquatic activities at Falls Lake look a little different this summer. However, there are still many ways to enjoy the lake. 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. For a special experience, sign up for their Light the Night Paddle, a guided group night paddle where they string colorful lights around each of the boats.

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.

Drop by Future Hooman to unplug and get your daily dose of art. Acting as an art "clinic", Future Hooman offers "Art Rx", where you can engage with immersive art, instruction, puzzles, and hidden lore.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.