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
    
         
 
            
    
                
                        
                        
            
            
				
                    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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            Outdoor Movie Screening — Drumline 
        
                
        
            Bring your own picnic blanket or chair. No alcohol or smoking allowed. Part of the Fall Movies in the Park Series.
            
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            Durham Ghost Walk 
        
                
        
            Explore the spooky side of Durham's history on this tour of the city's most haunted locations. From the disgraced sons of tobacco giants...
            
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            Boney James: Slow Burn Tour 
        
                
        
            slow burn: noun, informalA feeling that grows with a slow but deliberate intensity.For saxophonist and composer Boney James, these words...
            
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            Bardo Bloom 
        
                
        
            Durham local Bardo Bloom (Peter Daaleman) brings an array of melodic, organic, and uplifting tracks mixed alongside a growing list of...
            
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            andmoreagain presents -- Daft Disko: A French House & Disco Party 
        
                
        
            Daft Disko returns for a special Halloween edition
Join a night of French House and disco, inspired by the music of:
Daft Punk ⋅ Stardust...
            
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            Blind Tigers Live Band Karaoke 
        
                
        
            Think you’ve got karaoke game? Swagger like Mick Jagger swagger? Slay like Beyonce?Well ditch that old digital canned karaoke music, cuz...
            
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            Saturday Night Dance Party 
        
                
        
            Join in on the roof in downtown Durham every weekend for a Saturday Night Dance Party with the best DJs in the Triangle! Dance the night...
            
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            Drink, Drag, Dance, Repeat! 
        
                
        
            Every Saturday is a dance party, and every Saturday is a New ERA! Club ERA gives you a new Dj with a drag show, and a good drink to match...
            
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            Folloween 
        
                
        
            Just when you thought you couldn't get enough Halloween, Sentient Music and The Fruit teamed up to bring you, FOLLOWEEN! 👻 Prepare...
            
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            BOOM Club: The Rail Residency 
        
                
        
            Durham, NC — BOOM Club, a new Arts Organization dedicated to providing resources for electronic musicians, is excited to announce the...
            
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            Triangle Vegfest Durham 
        
                
        
            Saturday, 11/1 - Education Day (limited vendors) - 11am - 5pm
Sunday 11/2 - Festival Day (no education) - 12pm - 5pm
Everything you love...
            
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            Day of the Dead at Durham Beer Garden 
        
                
        
            Join in to celebrate Día de los Muertos with vibrant colors, lively spirits, and specialty cocktails crafted just for the occasion!
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