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.

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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.

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If you have any questions, please email eventcalendar@discoverdurham.com.

Featured Events

SplatterFlix Film Series

It’s exactly what you think it is: the goriest, scariest horror movies ever made, re-animated by Retro Film Series for screening over a three-day weekend.

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Third Friday in the Visitor Info Center: Beer Tasting with Fullsteam Brewing

Stop by the Visitor Info Center on Third Friday for a free slice of pizza, beer samples from Fullsteam Brewing and expert Durham recommendations. You can also earn another Bull City Beer Challenge check-in!*Pizza and beer samples while supplies last. You must be at least 21 years old to sample beers. Afterwards, continue your night visiting downtown art galleries and other Third Friday events!

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Pumpkin Patch Express

All aboard the Pumpkin Patch Express! Join in Saturdays and Sundays through October 26 to celebrate the arrival of autumn at one of the Museum's most popular family-friendly events. Pick the perfect pumpkin to decorate, race through the hay maze, and enjoy a variety of games, photo-ops, and activities inspired by the season. Then climb aboard the train for a relaxing ride back to the station on the Ellerbe Creek Railway!

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Nasher Museum 20th Anniversary Celebration

Help celebrate the Nasher Museum’s 20th anniversary and the grand opening of the Nancy A. Nasher and David J. Haemisegger Family Sculpture Garden! This exciting milestone will feature four special exhibitions on view, including Everything Now All At Once, which highlights bold and innovative works from the Nasher’s contemporary art collection.Guests can enjoy art-making stations, interactive learning experiences, hands-on activities, and special performances throughout the day. A variety of local food and beverage options will...

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Blacktoberfest

Black Brew Culture's amazing celebration of beer, food, art and entertainment. This year’s festival features 20 breweries and collaborators, plus six Black-owned wine and spirits brands. Add to that 30 vendors, food trucks, and a full entertainment stage, and you’ve got the makings of an East Durham block party you won’t want to miss.

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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...

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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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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...

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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, 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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The Dose: A Psychedelic Comedy Showcase

A mind-bending journey of experimentation, laughter, and healing. Set in vibrant and surreal venues all over the country, THE DOSE is a... Details

Broken Records: Musical Comedy Improv

Like music? Like comedy? Check out Broken Records, Durham's brand new, completely improvised musical comedy show! Be amazed as the cast... Details

Ally J and Kevin Clark

Enjoy a night of craft cocktails and smooth jams. Details

DECIDUUS ft BAALTI

With blu9, Dj benni, Uymami, and Snake Charm School Must be 18+ Details

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... Details

Karaoke at Flying Bull Beer Company

Sing karaoke with your friends, guaranteed good time! Details

Femme Friday: 3rd Friday Dance Parties!

Every 3rd Friday, The Velvet Hippo hosts a dance party with beats by some of the Triangle's best woman and NB DJs! These baddies will bring... Details

Bachata Fixation – FREE Class & Latin Dance Party!

𝘕𝘜𝘔𝘐𝘕𝘜𝘚 𝘓𝘐𝘝𝘌 Presents… ✨... Details

Freaky Fridays

Every Friday when the clock strikes 10pm Club ERA turns into Durhams only Gay, Queer, Trans nightclub and Bar. So get your slippers on and... Details

Oktoberfest Weekend

Music at 3 p.m. Saturday: North Carolina Polka All Stars; Sunday: Litte German Band & Dancers. Details

Guided Spirits Tasting Tour

Join a brand ambassador from Liberty & Plenty Distillery for a guided tour of the production facility and rickhouse in Downtown Durham to... Details

Outdoor Movie Series @Crank Arm Durham Saturdays at Dark

Every Saturday for 12 weeks Crank Arm will have outdoor movies playing on their 16 foot screen on the patio / side yard area. Plenty of... Details

Durham Events Calendar

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Featured Events