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

Whiskey Fest

To celebrate World Whiskey Day, Mystic will be holding a special day of tours, classes, and rare whiskey samplings. Take at VIP tour, or combine it with a Whiskey Blending Class. During the tour you will be tasting some of their experimental and unreleased distilled products. Try some of the crazy ideas they have cooked up over the years. You will also be tasting some of their no longer available releases from their whiskey library...

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Historic Durham & Tobacco Empire Driving Tour

Discover historic Durham and hear about the rise of the great Tobacco Empire on a comfortable, motorized vehicle. This 2½ to 3 hour tour will include sights such as: American Tobacco Campus, the downtown business district, Ninth Street, Brightleaf Square, Warehouse District, and Parish Street (Black Wall Street), Bennett Place, where the Civil War surrender was negotiated, Historic neighborhoods like Hayti, Watts-Hillandale, Old West Durham, Trinity Park Duke Memorial United Methodist Church, Maplewood Cemetery, Old...

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Béla Fleck – My Bluegrass Heart

Over the last four decades, Béla Fleck has made a point of boldly going where no banjo player has gone before, a musical journey that has earned him 15 Grammys in nine different fields, including Country, Pop, Jazz, Instrumental, Classical and World Music. But his roots are in bluegrass, and that’s where he returns with his first bluegrass tour in 24 years, My Bluegrass Heart.

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Frim Fram Friday

Swing by Mystic Farm and Distillery for a never-forget swing dancing class. Get ready to “cut a rug” with Joel & Jackie Plys from Retro Rhythm. They specialize in Swing Era dancing from the 1920s-50s. Swing Dancing is a great way to get fit, have fun, and socialize. No partner is required for the lesson. There will be a 30 minute class from 7-7:30pm to teach you how to swing, followed by social dancing from...

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Triangle Area Throwers Practice

Highland athletic games practice. Open to the public.

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Memorial Day Remembrance Event

Following the American Civil War, a "Decoration Day" began in communities across America remembering soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Senator John A. Logan, a former Union officer on staff with Major General William T. Sherman, was instrumental in making this a formal national day honoring our fallen soldiers, which became Memorial Day. Join military historians representing the American soldier of all time periods throughout our nation's history.

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Mystic Memorial Day

2 Live Music Bands Fire Dancers Beach Toys Apple Pie Eating Contest Bouncy House Cornhole Contest Yard Games Slip 'n Slide Splash Pad For Kids Food Trucks

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Robert Earl Keen – I’m Comin’ Home

Legendary Texas songwriter and entertainer Robert Earl Keen wraps up 41 years on the road with his 2022 final tour, I’m Comin’ Home: 41 Years On The Road. With a catalog of 21 albums, his band of stellar musicians, and many thousands of shows under his belt, Pollstar ranked Keen in its “Top 20 Global Concert Tours” in July, 2021. Keen has blazed a peer, critic, and fan-lauded trail that’s earned him living-legend status in the Americana music world.

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Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo

The rodeo features many food trucks and local breweries. The event is free to attend. You simply pay for what you decide to eat from the trucks’ menus–from savory and stick-to-your-ribs to sweet treats. Dogs are allowed at the Food Truck Rodeo on regular (not retractable) leashes. Food Truck Rodeos are rain or shine. Most trucks accept credit cards but an ATM machine is on site as well. Free parking is available in nearby lots...

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St. Olaf Choir

For more than a century, the St. Olaf Choir has set the gold standard for choral singing, performing for millions around the world. Comprised of 75 mixed voices, the St. Olaf Choir is hailed as one of the nation’s premier a cappella ensembles, renowned for its artistry and beauty of sound.“We seek to be a transforming force in society through choral performance, bringing understanding, mercy, justice, peace, and hope to a world that desperately cries...

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Art Exhibit — "Jean Charlot: Visions of Mexico, 1933"

This exhibition investigates artist Jean Charlot's relationship with Mexico's Indigenous past and colonial legacy. On view for the first... Details

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

DPS Art Show

This instillation exhibits the creative abilities of Durham Public Schools students. Details

Art Exhibit — “bear it/bare it/bear witness”

A collaboration of works by Cassandra J. Rowe, Alyssa Noble, Ayoni Jeffries, Claire Alexandre, Cori Fordham, Joaquín Carcaño, Kiara... Details

Truth and Memory; Group Exhibition featuring Clarence Heyward, Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier, Juan Logan, Renzo Ortega, Samantha Rosado, and Antoine Williams

Truth and Memory brings together the work of six contemporary artists of color living and working in North Carolina. Clarence Heyward, Lynn... Details

The Magical Realism of Henryk Fantazos

This exhibit features many favorite copperplate engravings from over the years, a medium Henryk has mastered through due diligence,... Details

Darius Quarles: 5 Points Gallery Featured Artist

5 Points Gallery is pleased to feature new paintings by Durham based artist, Darius Quarles. Darius describes his style as “unleashed!” He... Details

The Lofi Lounge

Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday... NC’s foremost Beat Culture collective, underground arcade, & Lo-Fi kickback! THE LO-FI LOUNGE is a place... Details

HAMILTON

HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has... Details

Colorful Summer Container Gardens [Online]

Learn to add year-round color in beautiful container plantings in this online demonstration with Beth Rudd-Myers, landscape designer at... Details

Hospitality Hiring Hour @ The Inn

The three hotel properties located on Duke University’s campus, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, JB Duke Hotel and The Lodge at Duke... Details