Events in Durham, NC | Find Festivals, Concerts & Sporting Events

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

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

Featured Events

NY Dog Film Festival

The NY Dog Film Festival® is an annual philanthropic celebration of the love between dogs and their people. The Festival is a medley of animated, documentary and narrative short films from around the world with a canine theme. The Festival premieres every year in New York City, then travels to theaters across the United States and Canada with 10% of every ticket benefiting a local dog rescue. The 15 films in the “10th Annual Dog...

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Bull City Food & Beer Experience

Please note: All ticketholders must be 21+ to attend. A signature DPAC event is back! This year the event features 30 triangle restaurants paired with breweries spread throughout all three DPAC floors featuring unlimited samplings and the Harris Onstage Experience showcasing live music & a variety of local food vendors. Make sure you visit each level of DPAC’s lobbies and the stage for the full experience and come join your friends while helping a great cause!

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The Orchestra Starring ELO and ELO Part II Former Members

Over the years, the members of THE ORCHESTRA have played ELO’s greatest hits to millions of fans in over fifty countries.

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Hannah Berner

Hannah Berner is a stand-up comedian and New York Times Best-Selling author known for her relatable humor and charismatic crowd work. She rose to prominence with her debut comedy special “We Ride at Dawn” which premiered at #2 on Netflix. Berner hosts two hit podcasts, Giggly Squad alongside Paige DeSorbo and Berner Phone with Des Bishop, which have garnered over 100 million combined downloads. After a sold-out national tour, Berner and DeSorbo recently released their...

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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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Uneasy Peace: Bennett Place Surrender's 161th Anniversary

A commemoration of the surrender negotiations at Bennett Place that led to the largest surrender of the American Civil War. Learn more about how Generals Johnston and Sherman's three meetings at the Bennetts' home reflected the broader national debate over how to reunite the nation & remake the United States without slavery. Explore how veterans, civilians, and freed people alike experienced and thought about the end of the American Civil War and what would come...

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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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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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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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Goat Yoga

There will be an all levels (including beginners) yoga flow taught while you are snuggling sweet goats and sheep. Poses are optional, but... Details

"Dark Tales of the Eno River" Paddle with author David Cook

Join a paddle along the Eno River, joined by author David Cook, who will talk about his book “Dark Tales of the Eno River.” David will... Details

Canine Field Day

Enjoy a day in the park with your furry friend at Canine Field Day, where you and your dog can participate in fun field game activities!... Details

Saturdaze — Sheila Casalett

Enjoy some brunch with live music at Boxyard RTP! Let loose, grab some food and drinks from vendors and enjoy SATURDAZE, a mix of eclectic... Details

Discovering West Point: Historic Walking Tour

Have you ever wondered about the lives of the people who were here before you? At West Point on the Eno, explore the complex histories of... Details

PBS North Carolina Screening of THE LIBRARIANS

PBS North Carolina and the Durham County Library proudly present an Indie Lens Pop-Up Screening of THE LIBRARIANS. Watch the film and join... Details

Free Wine Tasting

Sample a selection of wines from estate grown, family owned wineries from around the world. These tastings are educational, but also casual... Details

Drafts of the Bull: Craft Beer and Food Tour

Discover the heart of Durham’s craft beer culture with an immersive brewery tour that blends rich flavor and local history. Whether you’re... Details

STEM workshop for kids: build a spectroscope to split white light into a rainbow

DIY Spectroscope: Seeing the Hidden Colors of Light Parents are requested to remain nearby during the workshop so they can be reached if... Details

Nailed It DIY - Build It Event

Every fourth Saturday Nailed It reserves time for adults to build the project of the month. Art Tenders will guide you, step by step, to... Details

Historic Downtown Durham Guided Walking Tour

The history of Durham is hidden beneath your feet! Join a tour of the history of Downtown Durham: From the Tobacco District to Five Points... Details

Oyster Roast at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.!

Ponysaurus is teaming up with Three Little Spats for an all-you-can-eat oyster roast in the beer garden! Enjoy roasted local oysters, plus... Details

Durham Events Calendar

Plan a Trip Around Durham's Biggest Annual Events

Submit an Event to our Calendar

Featured Events