Your Durham Guide to the Good Moon Festival
Come for the tunes. Enjoy pop-ups around downtown. And support local favorites while planning a Durham-filled weekend.
Ever since Psychic Hotline started teasing details of the Good Moon Festival, there’s been a buzz about town. A few years after the headlining Sylvan Esso sold-out a weekend of shows at the Historic Durham Athletic Park, the Grammy-nominated electronic pop duo and a full-lineup of other standout artists return for a third time to their hometown at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) on October 8-10.
Maybe you already know of their iconic ‘What Now’ album cover from a backdrop at Koktuku Surf Club. Or caught their ‘Rooftop Dancing’ performance recorded on a literal downtown rooftop for a CBS This Morning’s Saturday Session. But in case you didn’t, we hope by now you’re aware that Durham loves Sylvan Esso. And we hope all who plan to attend this year's Good Moon Festival at DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, and surrounding venues plan to show Durham love right back.
GOOD MOON FESTIVAL DETAILS
When: October 8-10, 2026
Time: Gates open at 5 p.m.
Where: Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 William V. Bill Bell Way, Durham, NC 27701
Good Moon Tickets
A limited number of VIP weekend passes and single day-passes remain. General admission tickets are available for $49.50 - $89.50 (pre-tax and fees) and VIP Weekend Passes are available online for $427.50. VIP weekend passes include access to the same seats for all three headline shows, priority access to all aftershow and daytime programming, an invite to a private happy hour and an exclusive merch bundle. Day passes are purchased on a tier scale, with tier one being the closest to the stage and tier four being the furthest.
They are also offering tickets to the aftershows at $40 for guaranteed admission. As space is available, they will also sell night-of aftershow tickets for $20. These tickets will be for sale at the venue starting at 11 p.m.
The Lineup
Enjoy one night of performances or get tickets for the whole weekend. On Thursday, October 8, Sylvan Esso will headline, following American singer-songwriter Meshell Ndegeocello. On Friday, October 9, Appalachian Americana artist Tyler Childers headlines following surrealist blues artist aja monet. Finally, on October 10, Sylvan Esso will wrap up the weekend with another headlining performance with Mexican artist Silvana Estrada opening the night.
Aftershows include both local and touring artists like Tash LC, Babe Haven, Weirs, Circuit des Yeux and more. There will also be a free matinee show featuring MJ Lenderman, Woke County Speedway, William Tyler and 'Time Indefinite'. The aftershows will be held at The Pinhook, Boom Club, and Bay 7.
Where To Stay, Eat and Visit During Good Moon
The third iteration of the Good Moon Festival is even bigger than it was in 2024. We hope that you, the fans, use the opportunity to make the most of the weekend discovering Durham and supporting small businesses.
The DPAC is located on the American Tobacco Campus, a 1-million-sq-foot refurbished former tobacco factory that today is teeming with local businesses and Instagrammable spots for visitors. There are seven hotels located within one mile.
Speaking of Instagrammable, don't miss recreating the iconic What Now album cover at Kotuku Surf Club while visiting for the weekend. Take a short stroll from the American Tobacco Campus down Rigsbee avenue to the Central Park District and discover this local-favorite watering hole. With an age limit of 23 and a beer list that’s far better than it needs to be, the dive bar’s expansive patio is one of the best places in Durham to catch a sunset.
Map Out Your Festival Weekend
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DPAC, Durham Performing Arts CenterWith a mission of presenting one-of a-kind live entertainment events, DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, truly has something for everyone, hosting…
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The PinhookAt this gritty, intimate venue downtown, you're equally likely to see a popular band up close and personal, discover your new…
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Bay 7 at American TobaccoCentury old brick and wood steeped in American history, along with panoramic windows and a wraparound balcony make Bay 7 at…
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Boom ClubBOOM Club is Durham's electronic music incubator and creative hub. Explore synths, recording gear, workshops, events, and a welcoming artist community.
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Arcana Bar and LoungeYou'll be rewarded with a good time once you make your way to this hidden gem in Durham, which is recognized…
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Boricua SoulHusband and wife team Toriano and Serena Fredericks have been melding their Puerto Rican and African American heritage into delightful bites…
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E.O.‘s Athletic ClubLooking to hit Main Street and catch the game? E.O.'s is your spot. "A sports bar for (E)very (O)ne," E.O.'s Athletic…
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Kotuku Surf ClubKotuku Surf Club, open to those 23 and up, has a sprawling outdoor area that often hosts food trucks, DJs and…
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Lutra Café & BakeryLutra Bakery recently announced their upcoming storefront in American Tobacco Campus. They’ll be joined by Durham classic, Fullsteam Brewery, as the…
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Ment Beverage CompanyHoneygirl Meadery got a major “glow up” at the end of 2024 by moving and expanding their facilities and offerings under…
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Parker and OtisGifts. Goods. Grub... and it's all great. Jennings Brody has created an oasis of delightful food with fresh, local ingredients and…
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Press Coffee, Crepes & CocktailsIf you want to visit France without planning an entire vacation, we can help. Press is a European-inspired coffeehouse offering quality…
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QueenBurgerThere’s been an influx of new openings at American Tobacco Campus (ATC), including the highly anticipated addition of QueenBurger, owned by…
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SeraphineEnjoy Louisiana-style cuisine at Seraphine. The restaurant includes a cozy patio with ironwork details in the heart of American Tobacco Campus…
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The Velvet HippoOn weekends, you don’t have to leave Fido behind when visiting this new neighborhood bar downtown. The Velvet Hippo, an homage…
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The Waiting RoomThis cozy bar at American Tobacco Campus was designed to be a place to relax before a dinner reservation or after…
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Zweli’s EkhayaEkhaya is a beautiful, intimate spot in American Tobacco Campus from chef and restauranteur couple Chef Zweli and Leonardo Williams. Enjoy…
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Pie PushersFrom a food truck known for specialty pizzas and wings to a downtown brick-and-mortar location and concessions stands at the Durham…
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21c Museum HotelStanding tall and proud in the center of downtown Durham, 21c Museum Hotel is a multi-venue contemporary art museum offering a…
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Aloft Durham DowntownWhether you’re visiting DPAC for a show, catching a Durham Bulls game, or taking in the downtown vibe, we are located…
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Durham Marriott City CenterExperience a blend of comfort and cosmopolitan style at Durham Marriott City Center. Set in the heart of Durham, this hotel…
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Residence Inn by Marriott Durham McPherson/Duke University Medical Center AreaHost your private meeting, small forum, weddings, and special occasion. The property offers a prime location near Duke University, North Carolina…
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The Durham HotelThe Durham, a mid-century modern boutique hotel, has been resurrected and reimagined using the fibers of its past. With 2,317 square…
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American Tobacco Campus
We’d be remiss not to mention some of the diverse offerings at the American Tobacco Campus, the main backdrop of the festival.
- Smash burgers steal the show at QueenBurger, but the veggie and vegan burgers hold their own.
- Press Coffee, Crepes and Cocktails will transport you to a European café.
- Parker & Otis offer stellar sandwiches as you peruse an eclectic offering of souvenirs and local wares.
- Nestled next Parker & Otis is to Seraphine, a 2025 Michelin Guide recommended New Orleans-inspired restaurant offering staple dishes with modern twists.
- Grab a cocktail from The Waiting Room prior to strolling along the man-made river under the iconic Lucky Strike Tower.
- Across the breezeway from Parker & Otis, fill up on food with a Southern soul, Caribbean flair, and Euro-African Roots at Zweli’s Ekhaya. Ekhaya has received national acclaim for its Bantu-fusion tapas. Ekhaya means “home” in the Zulu or Ndebele languages.
- In the morning, get prepped for another night of dancing at Lutra Bakery. Order a full breakfast (get there early for the 100 Layer Hash brown) or savor one of their sweet buns that have developed a cult-following.
Where To Park
Tickets? Acquired. Hotel room? Booked. Dinner reservations? Made. One burning question remains: where do you park your car in Durham? Can you park your car once for the weekend or should you plan to keep your wheels handy? Check out our guide to learn all you need to know about parking in the Bull City.
Other Durham Recommendations
We could continue, but know this guide is already getting a little bit long. If you’d like personalized recommendations for what to do, where to eat or how to shop before doors open, we got you. Walk into our Visitor Info Center at 212 W. Main Street, about a 0.3 mile stroll from the DBAP, for a curated list of things to do based on your interests, provided to you by Durham locals. There will also be a pop-up Visitor Info Center set up at Good Moon with folks happy to help you on site.Y
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