Explore Durham Events
Events in Durham, NC
Home to almost 5,000 events every year, Durham is a place rich with unique things to do. From biannual arts markets to performances by world-class musicians at DPAC or Carolina Theatre, from workshops led by leading researchers to motorcycle rallies, from interactive classes at the Museum of Life + Science to food tours through Durham’s most acclaimed restaurants, there is always a wide variety of events to capture the interest of any visitor or resident.
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Major Events
Christmas by Candlelight
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December 14, 2018 (Every Friday)
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Duke Homestead State Historic Site
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(919) 477-5498
Experience a historical North Carolina holiday season with Duke Homestead! Costumed interpreters will lead you on a candlelit tour through the Historic Area festooned with period decorations …
Christmas in the Piedmont
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December 15, 2018
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Bennett Place State Historic Site
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(919) 383-4345
Visit Bennett Place during the Christmas season and witness how this occasion was celebrated in the Piedmont Carolinas during the American Civil War. Living historians will decorate the farm in a …
Special Events
A Christmas Carol
-
December 13, 2018
- December 16, 2018 (daily)
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DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center
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(919) 680-2787
This is not your grandparent’s version of the Charles Dickens' classic!
Ira David Wood III’s musical comedy adaptation of A Christmas Carol, celebrates its 44th Anniversary and will …
Author Jane Gabin
-
December 13, 2018
-
Levin Jewish Community Center
The author of The Paris Photo will read from her novel.
CANCELLED: Geminids Meteor Shower
-
December 13, 2018
-
West Point on the Eno Environmental Education Pavilion
-
(919) 560-4405
Family Sircle
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December 13, 2018
-
Beyu Caffe
-
(919) 683-1058
This group is known for primarily old school R&B with a lot of awesome choreography and great showmanship. Family Sircle has opened for Pattie LaBelle, the Whispers & Dramatics, George …
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker
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December 13, 2018 (daily)
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Carolina Theatre
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(800) 745-3000
Christmas is coming and so is the one and only Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker ~ Dove of Peace Tour! Presenting world class Russian artists, hand-painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens, …
Rabies Vaccination Clinic
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December 13, 2018 (Every Tuesday, Thursday)
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Durham County Sheriff's Office, Animal Services Division
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(919) 560-0630
The Durham County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Division offers a low cost one year rabies vaccination for cats and dogs 4 months of age and older. Dogs must be on a leash and cats will need to b…
Santa Photos
-
December 13, 2018
- December 24, 2018 (daily)
-
The Streets at Southpoint
Don't wait in line! Reserve your time with Santa and save on your photo package! Photo pre-purchase is required to book your time, however all guests can enjoy savings by pre-purchasing a photo …
Santa Train
-
December 13, 2018
- December 22, 2018 (Every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
-
Museum of Life + Science
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(919) 220-5429
Thousands of twinkling lights will shine throughout the Museum campus, guiding the way to all the fun! Check out the crowd favorite "ice" skating rink for skate-in-your-socks excitement. …
Wu Killa Bees
-
December 13, 2018
-
La Movida NightClub
-
(661) 817-8433
Hosted by MrHardOnDaMic, RedRunt, DI Dezo Dinero, on me 1's and 2's.
Ann Hampton Callaway: Diva Power
-
December 14, 2018
-
Durham Jazz Workshop / Sharp 9 Gallery
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(919) 486-5299
Ann Hampton Callaway is one of the leading champions of the great American Songbook, having made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. …
Dance Blues Friday
-
December 14, 2018 (Every Friday)
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Triangle Dance Studio
Inclusive blues dance event.
Delta Rae
-
December 14, 2018
-
Carolina Theatre
Six-piece band Delta Rae hails from Durham, NC with Liz Hopkins and Brittany Holljes fronting the robust group with sultry harmonies rounded out by Holljes' brothers Eric (vocals, piano) and Ian …
DJ Slim at The Tavern
-
December 14, 2018 (Every Friday)
-
The Tavern
Durham's Black Nativity
-
December 14, 2018
- December 16, 2018 (daily)
-
Hillside High School
-
(919) 906-0840
Durham's Black Nativity is an annual soulful celebration of the birth of Jesus. The cast features 100 talented singers, dancers and musicians.
Free Food Fridays
-
December 14, 2018 (Every Friday)
-
The Salvation Army of Durham
-
(919) 688-7306
Food includes: meats, canned goods, drinks, pet food, snacks, hygiene items, and more. Limit: only one person per household can pick up supplies. Must bring a copy of lease agreement and photo ID. …
Holiday Hootenanny
-
December 14, 2018
-
Arcana
-
(919) 973-1675
Enjoy the best craft cocktails in Durham accompanied by Tea Cup Gin's unusual collection of seasonal songs sprinkled into sets of torchy blues and jumpin jazz.
Lady Misrule
-
December 14, 2018
- December 15, 2018 (Every Friday, Saturday)
-
Walltown Children's Theatre
When disgraced ad man Stephen Wurth learns of his daughter's death, the only thing more shocking than the news is where he must go to retrieve her: the North Pole. There, he'll be embroiled in a …
Louis Austin Exhibit Opening Event
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December 14, 2018
-
Museum of Durham History
-
(919) 246-9993
The opening of an exhibit examining the life of Louis E. Austin, editor and publisher of The Carolina Times newspaper from 1927 to his death in 1971. Exhibit curated by Dr. Jerry Gershenhorn, who …
NCCU Faculty Holiday Concert
-
December 14, 2018
-
Beyu Caffe
-
(919) 683-1058
NCCU‘s Jazz Faculty celebrates with an evening of music of traditional jazz holiday favorites. The NCCU Jazz Studies program - an NCCU Area of Distinction, "where Jazz still swings" -…
Santa Paws
-
December 14, 2018
-
Durham Armory
-
(919) 560-4355
An evening of holiday fun with your canine friends! This event will feature pictures with Santa, a holiday pet market, and food vendors.
Santa Selfies
-
December 14, 2018
- December 24, 2018 (daily)
-
Northgate Mall
Bring your camera and take a Santa Selfie!
Santa will be at Northgate and ready to visit with children of all ages. Bring your phone or camera and enjoy taking candid photos with Santa.
The Wusses
-
December 14, 2018
-
Motorco Music Hall
-
(919) 901-0875
With Beauty Operators. All ages show.
Under The Gun Band
-
December 14, 2018
-
Bralie's Sports Bar
Major Events
Christmas by Candlelight
- December 14, 2018 (Every Friday)
- Duke Homestead State Historic Site
- (919) 477-5498
Experience a historical North Carolina holiday season with Duke Homestead! Costumed interpreters will lead you on a candlelit tour through the Historic Area festooned with period decorations …
Christmas in the Piedmont
- December 15, 2018
- Bennett Place State Historic Site
- (919) 383-4345
Visit Bennett Place during the Christmas season and witness how this occasion was celebrated in the Piedmont Carolinas during the American Civil War. Living historians will decorate the farm in a …
Special Events
A Christmas Carol
- December 13, 2018 - December 16, 2018 (daily)
- DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center
- (919) 680-2787
This is not your grandparent’s version of the Charles Dickens' classic! Ira David Wood III’s musical comedy adaptation of A Christmas Carol, celebrates its 44th Anniversary and will …
Author Jane Gabin
- December 13, 2018
- Levin Jewish Community Center
The author of The Paris Photo will read from her novel.
CANCELLED: Geminids Meteor Shower
- December 13, 2018
- West Point on the Eno Environmental Education Pavilion
- (919) 560-4405
Family Sircle
- December 13, 2018
- Beyu Caffe
- (919) 683-1058
This group is known for primarily old school R&B with a lot of awesome choreography and great showmanship. Family Sircle has opened for Pattie LaBelle, the Whispers & Dramatics, George …
Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker
- December 13, 2018 (daily)
- Carolina Theatre
- (800) 745-3000
Christmas is coming and so is the one and only Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker ~ Dove of Peace Tour! Presenting world class Russian artists, hand-painted sets, Russian Snow Maidens, …
Rabies Vaccination Clinic
- December 13, 2018 (Every Tuesday, Thursday)
- Durham County Sheriff's Office, Animal Services Division
- (919) 560-0630
The Durham County Sheriff's Office Animal Services Division offers a low cost one year rabies vaccination for cats and dogs 4 months of age and older. Dogs must be on a leash and cats will need to b…
Santa Photos
- December 13, 2018 - December 24, 2018 (daily)
- The Streets at Southpoint
Don't wait in line! Reserve your time with Santa and save on your photo package! Photo pre-purchase is required to book your time, however all guests can enjoy savings by pre-purchasing a photo …
Santa Train
- December 13, 2018 - December 22, 2018 (Every Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
- Museum of Life + Science
- (919) 220-5429
Thousands of twinkling lights will shine throughout the Museum campus, guiding the way to all the fun! Check out the crowd favorite "ice" skating rink for skate-in-your-socks excitement. …
Wu Killa Bees
- December 13, 2018
- La Movida NightClub
- (661) 817-8433
Hosted by MrHardOnDaMic, RedRunt, DI Dezo Dinero, on me 1's and 2's.
Ann Hampton Callaway: Diva Power
- December 14, 2018
- Durham Jazz Workshop / Sharp 9 Gallery
- (919) 486-5299
Ann Hampton Callaway is one of the leading champions of the great American Songbook, having made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. …
Dance Blues Friday
- December 14, 2018 (Every Friday)
- Triangle Dance Studio
Inclusive blues dance event.
Delta Rae
- December 14, 2018
- Carolina Theatre
Six-piece band Delta Rae hails from Durham, NC with Liz Hopkins and Brittany Holljes fronting the robust group with sultry harmonies rounded out by Holljes' brothers Eric (vocals, piano) and Ian …
DJ Slim at The Tavern
- December 14, 2018 (Every Friday)
- The Tavern
Durham's Black Nativity
- December 14, 2018 - December 16, 2018 (daily)
- Hillside High School
- (919) 906-0840
Durham's Black Nativity is an annual soulful celebration of the birth of Jesus. The cast features 100 talented singers, dancers and musicians.
Free Food Fridays
- December 14, 2018 (Every Friday)
- The Salvation Army of Durham
- (919) 688-7306
Food includes: meats, canned goods, drinks, pet food, snacks, hygiene items, and more. Limit: only one person per household can pick up supplies. Must bring a copy of lease agreement and photo ID. …
Holiday Hootenanny
- December 14, 2018
- Arcana
- (919) 973-1675
Enjoy the best craft cocktails in Durham accompanied by Tea Cup Gin's unusual collection of seasonal songs sprinkled into sets of torchy blues and jumpin jazz.
Lady Misrule
- December 14, 2018 - December 15, 2018 (Every Friday, Saturday)
- Walltown Children's Theatre
When disgraced ad man Stephen Wurth learns of his daughter's death, the only thing more shocking than the news is where he must go to retrieve her: the North Pole. There, he'll be embroiled in a …
Louis Austin Exhibit Opening Event
- December 14, 2018
- Museum of Durham History
- (919) 246-9993
The opening of an exhibit examining the life of Louis E. Austin, editor and publisher of The Carolina Times newspaper from 1927 to his death in 1971. Exhibit curated by Dr. Jerry Gershenhorn, who …
NCCU Faculty Holiday Concert
- December 14, 2018
- Beyu Caffe
- (919) 683-1058
NCCU‘s Jazz Faculty celebrates with an evening of music of traditional jazz holiday favorites. The NCCU Jazz Studies program - an NCCU Area of Distinction, "where Jazz still swings" -…
Santa Paws
- December 14, 2018
- Durham Armory
- (919) 560-4355
An evening of holiday fun with your canine friends! This event will feature pictures with Santa, a holiday pet market, and food vendors.
Santa Selfies
- December 14, 2018 - December 24, 2018 (daily)
- Northgate Mall
Bring your camera and take a Santa Selfie! Santa will be at Northgate and ready to visit with children of all ages. Bring your phone or camera and enjoy taking candid photos with Santa.
The Wusses
- December 14, 2018
- Motorco Music Hall
- (919) 901-0875
With Beauty Operators. All ages show.
Under The Gun Band
- December 14, 2018
- Bralie's Sports Bar
