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, Durham-grown events per year. Event organizers, small businesses and other organizations put together events like concerts, social gatherings, fund raisers, fairs, festivals and more, all designed for connection and sharing of cultures. 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
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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Third Friday in the Visitor Info Center - Artist Reception with Jordan Abdur-Ra’oof
Celebrate Third Friday with an artist reception featuring photographer Jordan Abdur-Ra’oof at the Visitor Info Center. His exhibition, Life is Service, highlights community, connection, and hospitality, showcasing people from beloved local businesses. Stop by for a free slice of pizza and earn a check-in for the Love Durham as a Creative Challenge!
Continue your night visiting downtown art galleries and other Third Friday events!
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Killers of Kill Tony
Building upon the success and energy of “Kill Tony”, "Killers of Kill Tony" showcases the diverse talent pool of comedians who have graced the stage of the original podcast with their wit, humor, and unique comedic styles. “Killers of Kill Tony” will feature your favorite characters doing their longer standup sets, all in one night. Regulars and fan favorites from “Kill Tony”, one of the top live podcast in the world, bring their standup show...
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Sherri Shepherd: Make It Make Sense Tour
Lessons, Life, and LaughterSherri Shepherd is a Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show host, comedian, actress, and best-selling author. She hosts the nationally syndicated talk show “SHERRI,” where her warmth and fiery humor shine through her topical headlines, celebrity interviews, comedy, and uplifting stories. Recently, she co-starred in Tyler Perry’s acclaimed film “STRAW” and is preparing to release her first children’s book, “The Sunshine Queens.” A multiple NAACP Image Award winner, Sherri has also earned recognition...
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Brett Young
From his self titled debut in 2017, Brett Young has captured the hearts of fans everywhere through his honest lyrics and West Coast meets Southern sound, aptly dubbed his “Caliville” style. With more than 8.5 billion global streams and seven consecutive No. 1 singles, Rolling Stone has called him “one of Country’s most consistent radio stars,” carving a lane as one of the genre’s most successful and relatable voices. With an impressive string of hits...
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Seth Meyers: Live
Seth Meyers is an Emmy Award-winning writer, New York Times bestselling author and host of NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” since 2014. Meyers began his TV career with “Saturday Night Live” in 2001 where he was a cast member for 13 seasons. He served as head writer for nine seasons and “Weekend Update” anchor for eight. He has released two critically acclaimed stand-up specials to date, “Lobby Baby” (Netflix) and “Seth Meyers: Dad Man...
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Mrs. Pat
Following the success of The Ms. Pat Show, BET/Paramount Global signed Pat to a multi-genre overall deal under which she will produce, write and perform in new series and other projects—both scripted and unscripted— across all platforms. Under this deal, she debuted her weekly court show Ms. Pat Settles It on BET linear on October 18th, 2023. In the beloved tradition of Judge Judy, Judge Joe Brown, and Steve Harvey, Pat takes hold of the...
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Hannah Berner
Hannah Berner is a stand-up comedian and New York Times Best-Selling author known for her relatable humor and charismatic crowd work. She rose to prominence with her debut comedy special “We Ride at Dawn” which premiered at #2 on Netflix. Berner hosts two hit podcasts, Giggly Squad alongside Paige DeSorbo and Berner Phone with Des Bishop, which have garnered over 100 million combined downloads. After a sold-out national tour, Berner and DeSorbo recently released their...
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Evening with Gregory Porter
With his rich baritone voice and his mastery of the deepest traditions of soul, jazz and gospel, Gregory Porter has established himself as one of America's most versatile and acclaimed vocalists. His artistry and sensitivity is plain to the ear whether he's putting his stamp on beloved standards by heroes like Nat ""King"" Cole or demonstrating his own writing talents with original songs strong enough to stand with the many classics in his repertoire. Produced...
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NEEDTOBREATHE
Despite a 20-year history filled with accolades, GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum band NEEDTOBREATHE approached their latest studio album with a renewed mindset - a band still feeling they have something to prove. Over the years, they’ve carved out a distinctive space across multiple genres, blending modern rock, purpose-driven soul, and pop appeal into a rare and impressive track record. With five Number One albums spanning the Billboard Rock, Alternative, and other charts, over three billion career streams...
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Branford Marsalis Quartet
Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is one of the most influential and revered figures in contemporary music. The NEA Jazz Master, GRAMMY Award winner, and Tony and Emmy Award nominee is equally at home performing concertos with symphony orchestras and sitting in with members of the Grateful Dead, but the core of his musical universe remains the Branford Marsalis Quartet. After more than three decades of existence with minimal personnel changes, this celebrated ensemble is revered for...
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Crafternoons
Crafternoons - All day event. Free pint with purchase of craft box. Choose from a variety of craft packages available for all ages.
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North Durham Farmers' Market
North Durham Farmers' Market is Durham's newest Farmers' Market centering BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and Women-led businesses. Visit every 1st and 3rd...
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Kids Build It!
Every first Saturday Nailed It has a special event for kids to make the Project of the Month. Art Tenders will guide you in every step in...
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Historic Downtown Durham Guided Walking Tour
The history of Durham is hidden beneath your feet! Join a tour of the history of Downtown Durham: From the Tobacco District to Five Points...
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Casual Chaos 4 Person Silly Smash Bros. Ultimate Casual Video Game Competition
Play or spectate, hop in and out as you please, and try out a game you might not have at home. No matter your age, identity, or skill level...
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Durham African American History Guided Tour
Durham is the home of a litany of African American historic sites. Whether you want to learn about architects, artists, athletes, or...
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Downtown Durham True Crime Walking Tour
Hosted by a local historian, the Durham True Crime walking tour will surely capture your curiosity. From a mayoral candidate with a...
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Durham Ghost Walk
Explore the spooky side of Durham's history on this tour of the city's most haunted locations. From the disgraced sons of tobacco giants...
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Chelsea Handler
Chelsea Handler is a comedian, television host, and seven-time New York Times best-selling author whose humor and candor have established...
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Blind Tigers Live Band Karaoke
Think you’ve got karaoke game? Swagger like Mick Jagger swagger? Slay like Beyonce?Well ditch that old digital canned karaoke music, cuz...
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Saturday Night DJ Dance Party!
Join the party in downtown Durham every weekend for a Saturday Night Dance Party with the best DJs in the Triangle, alternating between...
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Drink, Drag, Dance, Repeat!
Every Saturday is a dance party, and every Saturday is a New ERA! Club ERA gives you a new Dj with a drag show, and a good drink to match...
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