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

Pictured:

CenterFest - Credit Samantha Everette

Every day in the Bull City, there’s a wide variety of events happening to help you get involved in our vibrant community. If you're already here or planning a trip, use our search function below to find events suited to all interests and ages.

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

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...

Details

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.

Details

CenterFest Arts Festival

Celebrate Centerfest's 50th anniversary! Since 1974, Durham Arts Council has brought the Durham community together with an annual arts festival in the fall. As Durham’s signature fine arts festival, CenterFest showcases juried visual artists from across the country and fills multiple stages with stand-out local performers. Art shoppers are dazzled by world-class ceramics, paintings, photography, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork, glass, and more. Creators are based in Durham, the Triangle and across the country. CenterFest also...

Details

The Promise of Peace: Slavery's End in North Carolina

The close of the American Civil War with military surrenders at sites like Bennett Place assured the end of legal slavery in America. On the evening before the 160th anniversary of the Bennett Place surrender, join us as we commemorate and recognize the lives of over 330,000 North Carolinians enslaved during the Civil War. This program highlights experiences of enslaved and newly freed people through storytelling, music, and luminaries.

Details

Raphael Saadiq: No Bandwidth!

Fresh off back-to-back sold-out nights at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City, Los Angeles’ historic United Theater on Broadway, and two homecoming nights at Oakland’s Fox Theater, Raphael Saadiq’s No Bandwidth Tour will see him extending his run after garnering widespread acclaim. Praised by NPR’s KQED as “a masterclass in intimacy, vulnerability, and musical excellence,” the one-man-show offers a powerful blend of storytelling and emotionally evocative experience, with Saadiq guiding audiences through his...

Details

Bull City Race Fest and Food Truck Rodeo

Experience the brand NEW 2025 Race Routes! This festival has something for the fastest runners and families alike. Start and Finish at Diamond View Park at the American Tobacco Campus and choose from the Half Marathon, Five Miler or 1 Mile distances. Enjoy a fall morning of running through downtown Durham, Duke University and surrounding Historic Neighborhoods. After you cross the finish line, enjoy delicious eats from a variety of delicious food trucks! The Bull...

Details

Diana Ross

Diana Ross is a consummate performer, as well as one of the most iconic female singers of all time and one of the most prominent women in popular music history and pop culture of the late 20th century. Diana Ross’ famed and remarkable career spanning almost five decades has resulted in major awards, accolades and music history milestones. Her international achievements were acknowledged by the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in December 2007 in Washington DC...

Details

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

Details

Emily K Center Cornhole Tournament

Bring your A-game and be ready to have some fun - all in support of a good cause! The Emily K Center Cornhole Tournament is a friendly... Details

Durham Grown: The Durham County Library Garden Club

Go Native! Why are native plants important? Why should we care? Join Plant Ecologist Sam Wright for an engaging overview of native... Details

Open Saturdays at the Pauli Murray Center

Stop by the childhood home of a twentieth-century human rights activist, legal scholar, author, labor organizer, poet, Episcopal priest,... Details

Geer Cemetery Pop-Up Event @ Museum of Durham History

Visit the MoDH for an all ages pop-up event from the Friends of Geer Cemetery focusing on artifacts and genealogy. As part of the ongoing... Details

Thrift-A-Bull Vintage & Craft Market

Summer may be starting to wind down, but Thrift-A-Bull Market is just heating up! See them for all your favorite fun stuff, like assorted... Details

Drop-In Make Your Own Body Fragrance

Bright Black invites you to a drop-in perfume making experience every Saturday, from 11a - 5p. Experiment with dope scents and great vibes,... Details

Stormie Daie Presents Drag & Serve Drag Brunch

💄 Queens That SlayExpect fierce performances, flawless looks, and show-stopping energy from some of Durham’s most dazzling drag... Details

Crafternoons

Crafternoons - All day event. Free pint with purchase of craft box. Choose from a variety of craft packages available for all ages. Details

Adam Sandler Back to School Bar Golf

"It's too damn hot for a penguin to be just walkin' around here..." but it's perfect for humans to bar crawl! Grab a golf scorecard from... Details

Tacos & Margarita Festival

Try specialty taco and margarita creations for a unique culinary experience! This festival will not only include a variety of food and... Details

Historic Exhibits Tour

Guided tours for the three historic exhibits. Tours begin in 20-minute increments, with the last tour starting at 1:40 pm. No registration... Details

End of Summer Block Party

Summer may be ending, but the fun isn’t! Join an End of Summer Block Party! Enjoy an afternoon packed with FREE carnival games, face... Details

Durham Events Calendar

Submit an Event to our Calendar

Featured Events