Every day of the year, there’s a festival, show, concert, book reading, sporting event, or something incredible happening in the Bull City.

Durham is where self-made synth beats are created alongside home-grown and international talent.

Where renowned hip hop artists come home to spit with our next generation of performers.

Where there’s never a need to wait for Friday night; both large and small festivals and cultural events win the hearts of wandering souls from near and far — all week long.

Each year, 5,000 classes, tours, markets, competitions and performances await you here. The key to your next adventure lies in your own curiosity. Come taste, see, hear and discover.

Annual Events & Festivals The only way through is to do. Learn More

Submit An Event Take the bull by the horns. Learn More

We know many people are looking for things to do and ways to stay engaged with the Durham community. Check out the events below or head to the blog for safe and creative ways to remain connected to Durhamites, our local partners, and other Durham-based groups.

If you have any questions, please email eventcalendar@discoverdurham.com.

Featured Events

CatVideoFest

CatVideoFest is a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses. CatVideoFest is a joyous communal experience, only available in theaters, and raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters to best serve cats in the area.

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Music in the Gardens — Sarah Shook & the Disarmers

“Y’allternative,” “cowpunk,” “alt-country” – critics can’t settle on a way to describe Sarah Shook’s boundary-pushing take on country traditions, but they ultimately all agree – it’s great music. Hailing from Chapel Hill, Shook’s singular talent made a splash nationwide with three widely-acclaimed albums. Their gravely vocals and straight-shooting, personal songwriting as supported by their tight, always in-the-pocket band, the Disarmers, produces a sound described by Rolling Stone as “a sneering fusion of punk-rock autonomy and...

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Monica Bill Barnes & Company

Program: The Running Show A 7-year-old falls in love with dance at her first recital. 40 years later, she works every day to stay in the game. At 70 she keeps moving. Co-created by Monica Bill Barnes and Robbie Saenz de Viteri, The Running Show documents the life of a dancer through movement, interviews, and stories. Local dancers join Monica Bill Barnes on stage, learning their parts over one week. Robbie Saenz de Viteri interviews...

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Music in the Gardens — IAMDYNAMITE

Musical duo Christopher Martin and Chris Phillips keep fans happy with the catchy, hook-laden rock and pop sounds of their group IAMDYNAMITE. The fast-paced and hard-driving rock of their first album, SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC (2012) propelled the group to success with over 25 weeks on the Top 20 Billboard Alternative chart. The group landed back on the charts with their melodic sophomore album WASA TUSA (2015), showcasing their range with a collection of synth-pop tunes made for...

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Footprints

The Footprints program, which bridges ADF’s performance series and education programs, delivers an outstanding presentation of three ADF-commissioned world premieres, performed with impeccable technique and infectious energy by ADF students. This season’s choreographers are Charles O. Anderson, Artistic Director of Dance Theatre X, an Afro-contemporary dance theater company, and head of the dance program at UT Austin, Kimberly Bartosik, founder of Kimberly Bartosik/daela, choreographer, performer, educator, and a 2019 Guggenheim Fellow, and Shen Wei, choreographer...

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Nimesh Patel

Nimesh Patel is a comedian based in NYC. You should come to this show. His over 540,000 TikTok followers could be wrong about his standup, but they’re probably not. He’s opened for the likes of Chris Rock and has been a regular at Comedy Cellar for 6 years now. If you need convincing, Google him and enjoy the Wikipedia entry.

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Tobacco Road FC vs Charlotte Eagles (Soccer)

Part of the National Premier Soccer League. Tobacco Road FC existed as a highly successful amateur program for many years in the Triangle Adult Soccer League.

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Vertigo Dance Company

50Program: One, One & One Israel’s highly regarded Vertigo Dance Company performs One. One & One, choreographed by Noa Wertheim and set to a powerful score by Avi Belleli. Performed on a dirt-covered stage, the work creates an arresting sensory experience as it explores the individual’s desire for wholeness and spiritual connection to the natural world. One. One & One was created in celebration of Vertigo’s 25 Anniversary, and its recent engagement at the Baryshnikov...

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Music in the Gardens — Hank, Pattie and the Current

Bluegrass visionaries Hank Smith (banjo) and Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw’s (fiddle) innovative twist on traditional bluegrass music is a soulful brew flavored with classical, Motown, jazz, and pop sounds. Joined by Billie Feather on guitar and Stevie Martinez on bass, this dynamic local group is performing in support of their fourth album, Rise Above, from Robust Records. Ed Snodderly and Eugene Wolf of The Brother Boys will kick off the evening with their fresh take on...

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Music in the Gardens — Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience

Two-time Grammy Award winner Terrance Simien leads his 5-piece Zydeco Experience band in an exhilarating celebration of zydeco music, Louisiana tradition, and Simien’s Creole roots. Simien’s extraordinary instrumental skills, vocal talent, and passion for roots music traditions have helped keep zydeco music on the global stage for the past four decades. Simien and his long-time band will transport you to South Louisiana with an unforgettable evening of tight vocal harmonies and energetic zydeco sounds that...

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Tim Heidecker

Tim Heidecker (from Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and beyond) is taking his “No More Bullshit” stand-up character on the road, as well as his Very Good Band to present the first two-act evening of Tim Heidecker comedy and music. Heidecker’s “An Evening with Tim Heidecker” stand-up special has reached over 1 million views on YouTube, and has prompted publications like Vulture to dub him “the poet laureate of delusional assholes.” Truly, the...

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Art Exhibit — "Reckoning and Resilience: North Carolina Art Now"

Reckoning and Resilience: North Carolina Art Now brings together 30 emerging and established artists working across the state. This group... Details

Art Exhibit — "Helen Frankenthaler: Un Poco Más (A Little More)"

Helen Frankenthaler (1928–2011) is most known for her bold, colorful abstract paintings. She was a trailblazer in Abstract Expressionism,... Details

"Our House" DAC Student Showcase

An annual exhibition of Durham Arts Council student and instructor visual artwork. Masks are required to enter the Durham Arts Council... Details

Art Exhibit — "Watch Them Jump"

New works by DAG member artist Chris Facey. M-Sa 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Su 12-6 p.m. Details

American Dance Festival Performance Season

The 89th season of the American Dance Festival includes performances by both emerging and established companies, highlighting the breadth... Details

Art Exhibit — "Beyond the Surface: Collage, Mixed Media and Textile Works from the Collection"

This exhibition includes approximately 40 works, primarily from the Nasher Museum’s collection. With a focus on collage, mixed media and... Details

Durham Bulls Home Game

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Rise & Climb

This meetup group meets on the first Monday of each month and always features breakfast and hot coffee. Start your month off right with... Details

Self Guided Canoe, Kayak, and Standup Paddleboard Trips on Lower Eno River

Self-Guided trips provide the equipment while you provide the adventurous spirit. The guides will not be on the water for you but will... Details

Childrens' Independence Day Parade

Decorate those bike, trikes, wagons and strollers all welcome at 9:30 a.m., with items from The Scrap Exchange. Then, parade through the... Details

EnoFest

Music: Over 60 artists on three stages. Craft Show: Over 60 artisans from throughout the Southeast.Food & Drink: Food trucks and vendors,... Details

Frederick Douglass Community Reading at Stagville

Commemorate Independence Day with a community reading of Frederick Douglass' powerful Fourth of July address, "What to the Slave is the... Details