Your Guide to the Biscuits & Banjos Festival

Biscuits & Banjos is more than a three-day music festival, it's an exchange of ideas, an invitation for expansive conversation and an opportunity to uplift the traditions that have set the stage for today's artists and creators.

Musical performances by a lineup including Rhiannon, Taj Mahal, a reunion of The Carolina Chocolate Drops and Durhamites Rissi Palmer, Shirlette Ammons, Pierce Freelon and others will be joined by readings, workshops, lectures and, of course, biscuits from chefs, authors, visual artists and more.

The inaugural festival will launch in Durham in April 2025 to honor the 20th anniversary of the Black Banjo Gathering, a landmark musical summit held in Boone, NC in 2005 that inspired the creation of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, which launched Rhiannon's career. Rhiannon's connection to Durham, it's Black history and contemporary culture, as well as its music scene made the Bull City the perfect setting for the launch of the festival.

The events below have passed.

This weekend of music, culture and connection is one you won't want to miss.

Dates: April 25-27, 2025
Location: Downtown Durham, with performances at DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, The Carolina Theatre, The Durham Armory and more.
Tickets: While weekend and day passes sold out quickly, outdoor programming will be open to the public.

Free Programming

If you weren't lucky enough to score tickets when they went on sale last fall, you can still get a taste (literally and figuratively) of the festival through free programming, sponsored in part by Duke Comunity Affairs and Duke Arts, and the Biscuit Trail.

Venues offering free programming:

• Blackbird Stage at Lot 20 – outdoor musical performances at 139 Corcoran St.
  • Be sure to check out the Rhiannon Giddens and Carolina Chocolate Drops performance at DPAC livestreamed to the Blackbird Stage in Lot 20 for the public to enjoy Saturday evening. It's also available for at home viewing via Veeps so the greater public can view it outside of downtown.
• DNCR Airstream at Lot 20 – a community art project, exhibits and more, plus scheduled programming for kids
• PSI Theatre – film screenings at 120 Morris St. inside the Durham Arts Council
• The Pinhook – late night afterparties at 117 W. Main St.
• Water Tower at ATC – outdoor panel discussions and musical performances on the lawn at American Tobacco Campus, 300 Blackwell St.
• Music Village at 21c Museum Hotel – banjo lessons, elderly instruments shop and more at 111 Corcoran St.

See all free programming

Check out the full schedule on the festival website.

Rhiannon's vision for the festival was not only inspired by the music of North Carolina, but by Southern food culture. During a stint living in Ireland, she treated her homesickness by baking batches of homemade biscuits, developing her own recipe using classic, Southern White Lily flour and Irish Kerry Gold butter.

During the festival, be sure to immerse yourself in this Southern staple at local restaurants offering biscuit-inspired dishes – ranging from a simple showcase of a family recipe to elaborate twists on the South's cuisine – on the Biscuits and Banjos Biscuit Trail.

Biscuit Trail Stops

• Zweli's Ekhaya – Southern Biscuit Sandwich with spicy cheer wine sauce, fried mac and cheese patty, Texas Pete-infused fried chicken cutlet, candied yams and collard green coleslaw
• Bull City Burger and Brewery – Lumpy Buttermilk Biscuit
• Counting House at 21c Museum Hotel – Grandma Mary’s Angel Biscuits
• Alley Twenty Six – Duck Fat Cornmeal Biscuit with crispy pork confit, local collard greens, Alley Twenty Six pineapple demerara pot likker gravy, sfumato rhubarbaro butter
• The Durham – Red Dragon Welsh Cheddar Biscuit with Vera Luce Farm Smoked Ham and Housemade Spicy Local Strawberry Mustard
• Parts & Labor – The Parts & Labor Mushroom Poutine Biscuit
• Rue Cler – Brown Butter Biscuit with Hazelnut

Art of the Biscuit

The festival introduces a bit of friendly competition with a panel discussion and biscuit showdown, presented by Biscuitville, where each participating restaurant's biscuit will be sampled by judges Rhiannon Giddens, Toni Tipton-Martin, Alice Randall, Michael Twitty, Ricky Moore and guest judge Steve Mueller (Chief Executive Chef), from Biscuitville. The winner will be awarded The Golden Biscuit.

Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 11 a.m. - noon
Location: The Armory, 212 Foster St.

Panel Discussion

This lively conversation will explore the deep connection between biscuits and Black food culture in the South, highlighting their historical and cultural significance, as well as modern twists on this beloved classic.

Let us be your guide! Stop by the Visitor Info Center at 212 W. Main St. for expert advice and maps and guides you can take with you on your way. Be sure to pick up your copy of our African American Heritage Guide to learn about the Black history and community that make Durham the perfect festival setting.

Where to Stay During Biscuits & Banjos Festival

Festival events are centered around downtown Durham's City Center and American Tobacco Campus where there are numerous hotels conveniently located within walking distance to venues, including our three boutique hotels, several branded accommodations and one of only a few Black-owned bed and breakfasts in the country.

• Durham Marriott City Center – book by April 10 to join the festival room block for a discounted stay and free wifi.

City Center Hotels:

• The Durham Hotel – mid-century modern design and rooftop drinks make this locally-owned boutique property a stylish pick.
• Unscripted Durham – relax on the roof by the pool or join the dance party in the lobby lounge to make the most of your night after the show.
• 21c Museum Hotel – check out the art museum – open 24/7 – on your way to your room for the night.

Other Nearby Properties:

• Aloft Durham Downtown – stay int he heart of American Tobacco Campus, just next door to the main events at DPAC.
• Morehead Manor Bed & Breakfast – experience the legendary Southern hospitality owners Monica and Daniel Edwards proudly offer at this historic, Black-owned property.
• Springhill Suites Durham City View – enjoy a spacious stay with modern amenities just blocks from the action.

Search all places to stay in Durham on our Hotels & Inns page.

Where to Eat and Drink During the Festival

Enjoy the culinary scene that has earned Durham accolades between sets. Our Downtown Durham District Guide offers many options for dining in the neighborhoods that make up downtown. Here are a few recommendations within walking distance, but we recommend you get out and explore even more.

Coffee and Breakfast

• Loaf – pop in for wood-fired pastries and freshly made bread
• The Oak House – coffee to go or to stay, plus wine and whiskey in the evening
• Parker and Otis – biscuits and coffee becomes sandwiches and salads for lunch, plus a side of shopping

Lunch and Brunch

• Press Coffee, Crepes and Cocktails – a European cafe in a beautiful setting
• Toast – simple, satisfying paninis and salads
• Alimentari at Mothers & Sons – Italian-style deli serving lunch and weekend brunch
• Boricua Soul – Where Southern food meets Caribbean and African roots

Dinner

• Seraphine – Louisiana-inspired cuisine in American Tobacco Campus
• Pizzeria Toro – wood-fired pizza and bustling neighborhood bar
• Zweli's Ekhaya – Bantu tapas celebrating all five senses
• Queeny's – friendly community eatery serving elevated bar food from lunch until late

All Day

• The Durham Hotel – stylish coffee shop and dining room serving meals all day, plus plenty of space to stay a while
• The Daily Beer Bar – equal parts coffee shop, lunch stop and beer hall, plus retail and a local art gallery
• The Durham Food Hall – plenty of options and seating for the indecisive group

If you're equal parts foodie and fan, be sure to check out our award-winning chefs and restaurants.

Getting Around

While the festival events are concentrated in a compact, walkable downtown area, you may want to get out an explore. If you're staying within the downtown area and need a ride, you can use The Bull Ride to navigate downtown. This free, convenient ride service operates on a flexible route between popular downtown locations from 4:30 p.m. to midnight Thursday and Friday and noon to midnight on Saturday. Hail it on the street or call 919-682-BULL.