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

Summer Cocktail Class

Participants get a tour of the distillery, free tastings, and learn hands-on how to make some of your favorite summer cocktails. Must be 21+

Details

Third Friday in the Visitor Info Center - Celebrating Black Culture and Business

Stop by the Visitor Info Center on Third Friday for a late Juneteenth celebration with Black businesses from Durham! Enjoy entertainment from DJ RNB, sample wines from Sticks & Vines, pick up an African American Heritage Guide, and learn about NorthStar Church of the Arts' events and programming. Continue your night visiting downtown art galleries and other Third Friday events! *Food and wine samples while supplies last. You must be at least 21 years old...

Details

Juneteenth Celebration

Officially sanctioned by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, this fun-filled, educational, and uplifting festival will feature national recording artists and local performers, food trucks, vendors, a health fair, a Kids zone, exhibitors, and more! The festival kicks off with the official Opening Ceremony, which includes a processional with dancers, drummers, and the community. This is followed by a prayer, proclamations, the pouring of the libation, and presentations on the origin and significance of Juneteenth. Entertainment...

Details

Festival for the Eno

Music: Over 60 artists on three stages. Juried Craft Show: artisans from throughout the Southeast.Food & Drink: Food trucks and vendors, craft beers, wines, seltzers and cider.More: Art and dance demonstrations, fun on the river! The EnoFest, presented annually by the Eno River Association, raises awareness and funds to protect and restore exceptional places that provide our region with clean water and healthy forests, wildlife and natural areas, and open space. Parking is at Durham...

Details

Full Moon Fever Bike Ride

Experience the American Tobacco Trail at night with the Durham Community Trail Watch group. Please note: the ride has two starting times and locations. 7:30 p.m. - Early Start Time: the early start is at 7:30 p.m. in front of Mellow Mushroom (410 Blackwell Street) in downtown Durham. That group will ride down the American Tobacco Trail and meet up with the late group that meets at 8:30 p.m. in front of Bean Traders. 8:3...

Details

Bourbon Sensory Training

Take a professionally led course on the process of tasting and evaluating bourbon. In this immersive experience, you'll have the opportunity to savor an array of Mystic bourbons. Typically, bourbons are evaluated on five characteristics: color, aroma, mouth-feel, flavor, and finish.Learn the process of training your pallet to recognize the common smells and tastes of bourbon whiskey. They will guide you through a spectrum of flavors and aromas, from the smooth and caramel-infused notes to...

Details

OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival

OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival celebrates a worldwide glimpse of today’s LGBTQ+ life, helps bring the community together and features entertaining and sophisticated films and filmmaking.

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

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

Big Bear Bounce and Paint!

🎨✨ Bring your little ones to Paint and Play at Big Bear Bounce! They’ll enjoy bouncing and painting in a fun, interactive session... Details

Summer Solstice Party

The longest day of the year is cause for a fun afternoon celebration! Enjoy live music, outdoor games, free suncatcher craft station, food,... Details

Pre-Theatre Menu at Alley Twenty Six

Durham’s Alley Twenty Six offers a Pre Theatre Menu from 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. The three-course menu includes appetizer, entree and... Details

Third Friday - Guided Museum Tours

Offered in conjunction with the Third Friday Durham Art Walk & Gallery Crawl, learn about 21c Durham’s current exhibition Truth or Dare: A... Details

Salt Water Etching Mini Workshop

Using simple materials like salt water, electricity, and your creativity, you’ll learn how to safely etch custom designs into metal—no... Details

Papermaking with Natural Fibers

Discover the art of traditional papermaking using a unique hybrid method inspired by both Japanese and Hawaiian techniques—and take home... Details

The Duke Street Dogs

The Duke Street Dogs are a four-piece acoustic band out of Durham, NC. They play songs written by Dog Michael Borstelmann, as well as... Details

Third Friday at Golden Belt

Details

Juneteenth 4th Annual Art Show at Golden Belt - "The Cookout"

“The Cookout!” (A family Reunion…) The title of the show reflects the importance of what the cookout and the family reunion means to Black... Details

Friday Night Live Music on the Lawn at Bull McCabe's

Enjoy family friendly live music every Friday night from 6-9pm! There's never a cover! Each week we feature different local artists from... Details

Kindred Spirits a Convergene of African American Quilters

Step into the Future of Tradition—Join in for an Unforgettable Opening Night! Kick off the Kindred Spirits: A Convergence of African... Details

Third Friday in the Visitor Info Center - Celebrating Black Culture and Business

Stop by the Visitor Info Center on Third Friday for a late Juneteenth celebration with Black businesses from Durham! Enjoy entertainment... Details

Durham Events Calendar

Submit an Event to our Calendar

Featured Events