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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Saint Luke’s Pumpkin Patch
Kids of all ages love A PUMPKIN PATCH. Treat your kids and yourself to a good time at St. Luke’s Pumpkin Patch which runs from October 4th...
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Jenny Blazing: Beyond
5 Points Gallery is pleased to present "Jenny Blazing: Beyond" an exhibition of abstract landscapes where edges become places of change,...
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History Exhibit: Made in the Triangle: The Story of RTP
This exhibit explores Research Triangle Park’s evolution from its founding to future plans, highlighting key milestones, community...
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Art Exhibition - Sam van Strien: Traces of Displacement
Durham Art Guild presents Traces of Displacement, an exhibition of works by Sam van Strien, developed during his 2024–25 residency at...
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Art Exhibition — Human Landscapes, the Mystery of the Mark
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and the Eric Kelly Museum are proud to announce a major exhibition celebrating the extraordinary...
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Sip and Scare: Halloween Drinks Week
Desiring something different to drink? Get spooky with Halloween Drinks Week! Go for the cocktails and stay for the Halloween vibes....
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SIX
From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a...
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Whiskey Wednesday
Every Wednesday, the team at Alley Twenty Six chooses a different bottle of whiskey to serve at a break-even price. It’s a chance for...
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Whiskey Omakase at Dashi
Step in the izakaya for a five-course omakase designed around one of Dashi's greatest passions: whiskey! Each dish is crafted by their...
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Take a walk on The Broadside: A Durham Walking Tour
Celebrate the launch of WUNC’s newest walking experience!
Join in at WUNC Durham Studios for the kickoff of Walk on the Broadside:...
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Durham Community Day at the Museum of Life and Science
Durham Community days, Durham County residents get in free with proof of Durham address. All adults must have Durham residency to get in...
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Halloween Storytime on the Roof
It’s our spookiest Storytime of the year! Come in costume for Halloween Storytime on the Roof, Wednesday October 29 at 10:30 AM. Durham...
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