Your Guide to Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival

The events below have passed. For details on the 2026 Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival, check back closer to the date.

The 55th-Annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival is a family-friendly celebration of African and African American culture, history, arts and traditions hosted by the City of Durham.

Festival Highlights

Location: Rock Quarry Park, 701 Stadium Dr.
Date: May 17, 2025
Time: 1-7 p.m.
Admission: Free

On Saturday, bring your lawn chair or blanket and settle in for a day of music and community on the main stage with local talent. Later in the day, enjoy performances from Just Fine - Mary J. Blige Tribute Band, Africa Live!, D. Shawn and star headliner Raheem DeVaughn.

Between sets, hear from leaders who have shaped our community as you stretch your legs and take the kids to the Family Fun Zone which features drum circles, arts & crafts, storytelling, inflatables, face painting and a gaming truck. The Durham County Library will also be on-site with the Bookmobile, where festival-goers can even win free books.

Weekday Events

Community Block Party
Date: May 14, 2025
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Holton Career & Resource Center, 401 N. Driver St.
Admission: Free, all ages

Cypher at the Bull
Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Location: CCB Plaza
Admission: Free, all ages

Teen Pool Party
Date: May 16, 2025
Time: 7 - 10 p.m.
Location: I.R. Holmes, Sr. Recreation Center at Campus Hills, 2000 S. Alston Ave.
Admission: Free, all ages

All this leads up to Saturday, May 17th – the all-day, free event at Rock Quarry Park. For all event information, visit the Durham Parks and Recreation festival details page.

Know Before You Go

• Free parking will be available at the Durham County Stadium parking lots at 750 Stadium Drive. Access the lots via Wisteria Avenue.
• Take the bus! Go Durham has two routes that stop near the festival. Find details here.
• Leave these items at home: pets, coolers, personal tents or canopies. Smoking and alcohol are prohibited. Review all the festival rules on the event webpage.

Where to Stay

If you're coming to Durham for Bimbé, you're going to want to experience more of the culture and community the city has to offer. To stay near the festival, check out Courtyard by Marriott Durham Near Duke University/Downtown or Hampton Inn & Suites Durham/North I-85.

If you'd like to stay near the small businesses, restaurants and bars downtown, try Unscripted Durham where you can lounge by the rooftop pool and people watch over CCB Plaza when you're not at the festival.