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
    
         
 
            
    
                
                        
                        
            
            
				
                    Thanksgiving: History & Legacy Tours
                
                
                                
                    
                         
                    The modern Thanksgiving holiday stems from a mid-19th century campaign by Sara Josepha Hale for the adoption of a national thanksgiving holiday. President Abraham Lincoln created the federal holiday in 1863 during the American Civil War. So how did our Thanksgiving narrative come to focus on a fantastical meal shared between colonists and American Indians? What messages did Americans hope to convey with the Thanksgiving holiday? What were some popular Thanksgiving foods of generations past...
                    
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                    2025 Chefs for Change Gala
                
                
                                
                    
                         
                    Enjoy a multi-course dinner prepared by five of North Carolina’s top chefs—Matt Kelly, Gray Brooks, Aaron Benjamin, Michael Lee and Chris McLaurin—along with a live auction led by professional auctioneer Scott Peterson of Custom Benefit Auctions. Most auction items will be exclusive, chef-focused culinary experiences. Proceeds benefit Families Moving Forward, Durham’s primary emergency shelter for families with children.
                    
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                    NC Comicon
                
                
                                
                    
                         
                    With its creator-focused vision and intimate, all-encompassing atmosphere, NC Comicon is a prime destination for fans and creators of all walks and passions to learn, celebrate, and share in a wide variety of interests and fandoms, from comics to cosplay, gaming, film, animation, design, and more. Regardless of age or experience level, all are invited and welcome at NC Comicon!
                    
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                    Civil War: Part 2 Airsoft Event
                
                
                                
                    
                         
                    Ultimate Airsoft Event! Choose your side — West Coast Syndicate or East Coast Coalition — and get ready for an unforgettable day of action, teamwork, and adrenaline
For ages 8 and up.
                    
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                    Chocolate & Bourbon Pairing
                
                
                                
                    
                         
                    This luxury class will take you through different Mystic Bourbons and the chocolate pairing that brings out the amazing flavors. Learn about, and taste, all of their spirits along with a classic chocolate pairing.
                    
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                    Durham Art Walk Holiday Market
                
                
                                
                    
                         
                    Support local artists and help keep Durham’s creative spirit shining bright this holiday season! The Durham Art Walk Holiday Market returns, transforming downtown into a festive marketplace filled with fine art, handmade gifts, live music, and holiday cheer. The Durham Art Walk Holiday Market is a festive fine arts and crafts event that kicks off the holiday season in downtown Durham! The Holiday Market invites art lovers to experience a weekend featuring local artists, live...
                    
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                    Cigar & Bourbon Pairing
                
                
                                
                    
                         
                    Join a professionally led course on the art of pairing cigars and bourbon. This class is for new cigar smokers and seasoned cigar smokers alike. Get ready to indulge in a unique pairing experience that will tantalize your taste buds and elevate your senses. This course will demonstrate hand-rolling techniques along with proper cutting, lighting and smoking. Then move to the porch to indulge in a guided pairing journey including a trio of bourbons to...
                    
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                    Handel’s Messiah
                
                
                                
                    
                         
                    Since 1933, Handel’s Messiah has been the fulcrum of the Chapel’s concert life and a cherished Duke holiday tradition. Handel’s masterwork traces the history of humanity’s divine redemption through Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection, in music that is both treasured and timeless. This year Messiah will be performed with period instruments and Baroque-era tuning, as Handel himself would have heard it. Each performance will last approximately two hours and fifteen minutes with intermission. Seat cushions...
                    
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                    Durham Holiday Parade
                
                
                                
                    
                         
                    Cheer on dynamic floats, hometown bands, drill teams, schools, and community groups as they make their way down Main Street at the Durham Holiday Parade. The procession will conclude with a guest appearance from Santa. 
Free EventRain or Shine
                    
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            TBS 1st Tuesday Blues Jam 
        
                
        
            They are kicking the Triangle Blues Society Blues Jams back into gear EVERY 1ST TUESDAY of the month. 
Get on in there and be part of one...
            
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            Adult Coloring Night 
        
                
        
            Grab a drink from the bar and swing by the art table to grab a page and fill a cup with the supplies you need. It's totally FREE and...
            
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            Gentle Yoga Flow 
        
                
        
            Join You Call This Yoga for a no cost gentle mat class that is a full body practice for functional movement and stress management. You will...
            
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            Not Rocket Science Trivia 
        
                
        
            🤙 Get ready to kickstart an epic weekly trivia sesh, my friends! 🤙
DSSOLVR Durham's Weekly Trivia is about to blast off,...
            
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            Karaoke Night at the bar! 
        
                
        
            Get ready for a night full of music, laughter, and unforgettable performances at Karaoke Night! Whether you’re a seasoned singer or a...
            
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            Video Game Night at Moon Dog Meadery 
        
                
        
            Calling all Gamers! Hang out and play some video games (Rock Band, DDR, Retro Games, Fighting Games and more!), and sip on some delicious...
            
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            Time to break the boring cycle.
Join in every Tuesday for fun and exciting trivia game with Hammered Trivia at Crank Arm DURHAM. There...
            
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            Trivia at Beer Study Durham 
        
                
        
            Trivia with alternating hosts Nick & Nikko for categories can include current events, music ID, movies, TV, books, geography, history,...
            
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            Queer Country Night 
        
                
        
            All ages. KARAOKE / DJ Meltdown Rodeo / LINE + PARTNER DANCING w/ JOEL from ARTHUR MURRAY DANCE STUDIO.
Must be 21+
            
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            Guided Tour of Pauli Murray's Childhood Home 
        
                
        
            Explore the childhood home of a twentieth-century human rights activist, legal scholar, author, labor organizer, poet, Episcopal priest,...
            
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            Wine Wednesday! Free Wine Tasting 
        
                
        
            Join wine experts and taste your way through different regions, styles, grapes, & whatever other themes we can create! Each Wednesday Beer...
            
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            Horton Grove Hike 
        
                
        
            Join Triangle Land Conservancy Trail Guides on a brand new social hike series at Horton Grove! There will be a hike on the first Wednesday...
            
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