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

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...

Details

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.

Details

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!

Details

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.

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

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

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

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.

Details

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...

Details

Kaiju-Quest Film Series — Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack

First ever screening at Retro! Kaiju-Quest proudly presents this ultra-rare theatrical screening from the Toho/Sony library!Fifty years... Details

Trivia Night

The very popular weekly trivia night hosted by Pickle continues for another season every Wednesday night! Kick it with your friends and... Details

Old School Bingo Night – Every Wednesday Night

Think you’ve got the winning card? Join FREE-TO-PLAY BINGO, every Wednesday at 7pm, where the prizes are real, the drinks are flowin’, and... Details

Music Mashup Trivia

Music Mashup Trivia by Not Rocket Science Details

Signature Wine Tasting

Join ZincHouse Wine Director, Dave, as he takes you on a journey through five signature wine offerings throughout a 45 minute session. Your... Details

Hammered Trivia at Hi-Wire

Weekly trivia at hi wire from 7-9 on Wednesdays Details

Music Bingo at Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

Did you once have an iPod with 30,000 songs on it? Do you listen to the radio with the windows down on the reg? Did you listen to vinyl... Details

Brett Chambers Open Mic

Very limited, properly spaced seating inside.First come, first serve.ALSO will stream on Brett’s Open Mic FB page. Details

A Magical Cirque Christmas

In A Magical Cirque Christmas, the cast of world-class acrobats, contortionists and aerialists will push the boundaries of imagination... Details

English Country Dance

Beginners welcome; all dances taught; no partner necessary.Live music on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays.Gender-free calling.Bring non-street shoes or... Details

Sip & Sketch: Shibari Figure Drawing Edition

Figure Drawing at Zeitgeist every 3rd Wednesday! You'll be using the art of shibari to add to the fun! Ticket sales are paid at the bar,... Details

Blends With Friends (Open Decks)

#BlendsWithFriends is an open decks DJ skill share event 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at The Pinhook in Durham! Come learn to DJ, spin some... Details

Durham Events Calendar

Submit an Event to our Calendar

Featured Events