Durham Events Calendar
Inspiring FOMO since 1869
Every day in the Bull City, there’s a wide variety of events happening to help you connect with our vibrant community. In fact, our event calendar hosts more than 5,000 visitor-friendly, Durham-grown events per year. Event organizers, small businesses and other organizations put together events like concerts, social gatherings, fund raisers, fairs, festivals and more, all designed for connection and sharing of cultures. If you're already here or planning a trip, use our search function below to find events suited to all interests and ages, from festivals and holiday headliners to creative DIY events, trivia nights, art exhibits, makers' markets and more.
Plan a Trip Around Durham's Biggest Annual Events
Durham is home to many homegrown festivals and events that happen annually and are easy to plan a trip around. From beats to barbecue and everything in between, check out our seasonal events page to find the perfect time to visit the Bull City.
Submit an Event to our Calendar
If you're a Durham-based venue or organization and you'd like us to include your event on our calendar, follow the link below to find our submission guidelines and submit your information.
Submit an Event
Featured Events
Biscuits & Banjos presents: a Day of Free Programming
Free daytime presentations and conversations, followed by the Evening Frolic of music and dance. Tickets are free, advance registration is required.
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Ichiko Aoba
Since Ichiko Aoba’s 2010 debut, “Razorblade Maiden,” the Japanese singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist has released seven albums, founded her independent label hermine, and has performed in a growing list of territories worldwide. Her music, often composed on just her classical guitar or a simple synthesizer, is simultaneously intimate and boundless; fragile and unyielding; virtuosic and understated.
With Special Guest: Charlie Martin
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Garmin Marathon Durham
5K, 10K, half-marathon and full-marathon races Course highlights include: Start at the historic American Tobacco Campus Scenic Watts Street with landmark buildings and well-preserved early 1900s homes Runners will jump on the American Tobacco Trail full of culture and history All distances will finish on Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium on the Duke University campus, with all the pomp and circumstance of a regular college dayShuttle services will be provided from the finish line...
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Sunset Paddle on Falls Lake
Enjoy a relaxed evening on the water as you paddle out to watch the sunset. As the sun disappears below the horizon, spend some time soaking in the colors and sounds of the evening before slowly making your way back to shore. Discover the sights and sounds of the early evening hours on this relaxing and fun paddle. Beginners welcome, but a basic knowledge of how to steer your boat is encouraged. Frog Hollow also...
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That Motown Band
That Motown Band brings together a remarkable ensemble of talented vocalists and musicians dedicated to keeping the Motown spirit alive. For years, they’ve been captivating audiences with their incredible performances and timeless music. Come and experience the timeless magic of Motown music like never before!Joining the Motown Band is Garfield Fleming. Garfield is a Soul Singing Vocalist of legendary status having been a member of The Delfonics for 25 years with William Hart. Garfield’s obvious...
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Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handler is a comedian, television host, and seven-time New York Times best-selling author whose humor and candor have established her as one of the most celebrated voices in entertainment and pop culture. After a strong seven-year run as the host of E!’s top-rated Chelsea Lately, a tenure in which she was the only female late-night talk show host on-air, she launched her documentary series Chelsea Does, followed by her talk show Chelsea on Netflix...
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Letters to America
“Letters to America” is the culminating event of the Durham Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO) 50th Anniversary season. Join them for a landmark event celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and 50 years of the DSO serving the community, promoting music education and uplifting the love and legacy of American Classical Music! The event brings together DSO’s community and arts partners, the Pauli Murray Center, Hayti Heritage Center, North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton...
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An Evening with David Byrne
David Byrne returns to the road with a brand-new live show in support of his latest album Who Is the Sky?, Byrne’s first album since releasing the acclaimed 2018 American Utopia, which was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical and HBO film. It was produced by the Grammy-winning Kid Harpoon (Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus), while its 12 songs were arranged by the members of New York-based chamber ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra. Guests include Paramore’s...
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HAMILTON
America's #1 Musical A revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition, and the dawn of a new nation. HAMILTON is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON has had a profound impact on culture, politics...
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The Price by Arthur Miller
Family dynamics, the value of furniture, and the cost of choice ignite a riveting struggle to make peace with the past and build hope for...
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Beer Garden Concert Series
Ready to rock out in the Beer Garden? Another season of the Beer Garden Concert Series will be out back in the Glass Jug RTP Beer Garden...
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Downtown Durham Food Tour with Taste Carolina
Durham is about cutting edge culture and fantastic food. Taste Carolina food tours highlight the restaurants, shops and people that are...
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Bull City Madness
Bull City Madness is Durham’s 3v3 basketball tournament to celebrate Durham’s rich basketball history, bring the community together, and...
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Setting Boundaries Within Your Relationship – Free Couples Workshop
Healthy relationships require clarity, communication, and mutual respect. But many couples find it difficult to express their needs or...
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Exotique's 20th Anniversary Celebration
Exotique: Boutique & Gallery is celebrating 20 years! Over the last two decades, Durham has changed in many ways, but Exotique has...
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Guided Spirits Tasting Tour
Join a brand ambassador from Liberty & Plenty Distillery for a guided tour of the production facility and rickhouse in Downtown Durham to...
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parkrun Durham
What is Durham NC parkrun?
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!...
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Durham Farmers’ Market
The Durham Farmers’ Market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, cut flowers, artisanal cheeses and breads, home-baked...
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Angels Among Us 5K & Walk for Hope
Angels Among Us is held on Duke's Medical Center Campus each April. Funds benefit the Preston Tisch Brain Tumor Center. The 5K run is a...
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Komen Triangle Race for the Cure
Race for the people who can't: for those too weakened by treatment to join. For those who are suffering. For those we have lost. Fight back...
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Free Community Day at the Pauli Murray Center
Take a self-guided tour of Pauli Murray's childhood home. Explore both the outdoor and indoor exhibits, highlighting the themes of...
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