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 events each year. 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
The 8th Annual Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball
A Retro annual tradition! More than just a movie screening, Retro presents a full-theatrical, FX-driven, light show-blazing, fog-blowing, call-backing, motion picture extravaganza! Fasten your garter belt and come up to the Carolina Theatre’s historic 1000-seat lab and see what’s on the slab! This madcap musical begins when rain-soaked Brad and Janet take refuge in the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite mad scientist from outer space who is about to unveil his greatest creation! This...
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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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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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The Get Down: Halloween Edition
Up on the rooftop, down with the boogie, home before witching hour. Gold Dust is bringing it back with an All Hallows Eve costume party –...
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Scrap Paper Shakespeare presents “Titus Andronicus”
Shakespeare’s bloody tale of revenge presented for your spooky appetites!
North Carolina-based theater troupe Scrap Paper Shakespeare...
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The 8th Annual Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball
A Retro annual tradition! More than just a movie screening, Retro presents a full-theatrical, FX-driven, light show-blazing, fog-blowing,...
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Deep Creeps Halloween Party at Kingfisher and Queenys
Our Annual Halloween Party: Deep Creeps is BACK! Everything is EVEN SPOOKIER this year, starting now.
They’re creeping, crawling,...
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Clack & Groove: A Halloween Paint, Sip, And Soul Line Dance Party
Spooky Grooves & Soulful Moves!
Get ready to kick up your boots and shake your bones this Halloween at Soul Line Dancing Night! Skeleton...
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TV Show Lip Sync Competition
Summon your ghoulish gang and kick off the haunted night with a wicked lip-sync showdown - you can win some creepy-cool prizes just for...
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Open Mic Comedy Night at Durty Bull
Join in every Friday from 8pm-11pm at Durty Bull for a night of laughs. Check out local aspiring comics as they test out there material and...
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Bull Moon Rising Beer Release and Scaryaoke Party
Celebrate the release of famed spooky Black IPA, Bull Moon Rising - always brewed on the first full moon in October and released on...
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The Wizard of Ozzy Dance Party
It was on steamy late-August night in 1981 towards the end of the Blizzard of Oz tour that a concert goer reportedly made the first-ever...
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Halloween Weekend Costume Party at Unscripted Durham
Get ready to dress up in your most creative costumes and join in for a scary fun time. Enjoy an evening packed with thrilling music...
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Hush Hush Improv Comedy
Join Hush Hush for a special comedy show full of deep laughs and true revelations. Each show, audience members add their anonymous...
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Howl At The Moon: A Blacklight Halloween Party!
Get your costume ready for the blacklight Halloween party! Jorden The DJ will be doing his thing from 9:30pm–1:30am for your dancing...
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