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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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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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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African American Dance Ensemble Kwanzaafest
Kwanzaa Fest is more than just a gathering; it’s a time to honor African American culture and values, including unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
It's also a time for reflection and celebration, with communal feasts and gatherings that bring together family and friends.
Performances start at 2:00 pm.
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Jason Isbell
Six-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Jason Isbell is one of the most respected and celebrated artists of his generation. The North Alabama native possesses an incredible penchant for identifying and articulating some of the deepest, yet simplest, human emotions, and turning them into beautiful poetry through song. Isbell sings of the everyday human condition with thoughtful, heartfelt, and sometimes brutal honesty. After releasing multiple critically-acclaimed albums, appearing in an Academy Award-nominated film, Killers of the Flower...
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Public Tour of Duke Chapel
Learn about the history, architecture, and life of Duke Chapel in this tour, which is free and open to the public. The tour begins at 12:15...
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Open Table TTRPG at Moon Dog Meadery
Game Masters and their groups can enjoy their TTRPGs at Moon Dog with no distractions from other events. . There is no table fee just bring...
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Black Farmers Market
Black Farmers Market:
This market happens every 1st and 3rd Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. This event has multiple black farmers, growers, and...
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Botanical Scent Storytelling: Pauli Murray
Scent tells stories and evokes memory. In celebration of Pauli Murray’s birthday month, use your sense of smell to learn about the legacy...
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Savory Sunday - Bloody Marys with ALL the Fixins at Liberty & Plenty Distillery!
🍅A Savory Sunday with ALL the Fixins🫒
They’re serving $14 Bloody Marys and Bloody Caesars with as many toppings as they...
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Hot Wax on Tap
Please join in for drop in candle making, exploring new scents every Sunday! No pre-registration is required and no appointment is needed....
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Hammered Trivia at Durty Bull
Join in every Thursday and Sunday at Durty Bull for Hammered Trivia! Sunday from 2pm-4pm come bring your friends and test your knowledge on...
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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...
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Organ Recital Series: Maxine Thévenot
Maxine Thévenot, Director of Cathedral Music and Organist, Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Maxine Thévenot is...
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Open Mic
Hosted by Deb Aronin. Comedy, Music, Poetry, Ventriloquism and whatever other talents and performance skills you might have. All are...
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Po' Ramblin' Boys Concert Benefiting the Breweries of Western NC
Grammy-nominated bluegrass band The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys will bring their high-energy, authentic sound to Motorco Music Hall in Durham for a...
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NC IDEA Ecosystem Summit
Keynote, panel discussions and breakout sessions centered around entrepreneurship and the economy.
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