Events in Durham, NC | Find Festivals, Concerts & Sporting Events

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

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...

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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+

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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...

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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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Champions for Children Golf Tournament

Now in its 5th year, the Champions for Children Golf Tournament is more than just a day on the green—it's a powerful fundraiser that directly supports youth in underserved communities throughout Durham and beyond. Hosted by the 5K Foundation, this annual event raises critical funds for year-round programming, including mentorship initiatives, academic support, and the Legacy League 7v7 Football League.This tournament brings together professionals from all walks of life—from former NFL and college athletes to...

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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.

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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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CenterFest Arts Festival

Celebrate Centerfest's 50th anniversary! Since 1974, Durham Arts Council has brought the Durham community together with an annual arts festival in the fall. As Durham’s signature fine arts festival, CenterFest showcases juried visual artists from across the country and fills multiple stages with stand-out local performers. Art shoppers are dazzled by world-class ceramics, paintings, photography, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork, glass, and more. Creators are based in Durham, the Triangle and across the country. CenterFest also...

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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.

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Raphael Saadiq: No Bandwidth!

Fresh off back-to-back sold-out nights at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City, Los Angeles’ historic United Theater on Broadway, and two homecoming nights at Oakland’s Fox Theater, Raphael Saadiq’s No Bandwidth Tour will see him extending his run after garnering widespread acclaim. Praised by NPR’s KQED as “a masterclass in intimacy, vulnerability, and musical excellence,” the one-man-show offers a powerful blend of storytelling and emotionally evocative experience, with Saadiq guiding audiences through his...

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Freaky Friday Dance Party!

One thing about it, is you know you are the baddest “B around, so why not tip toe through Durham’s sexiest Queer nightclub with that killer... Details

Les Misérables

Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon,... 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

Third Friday Durham: "Wild Things & Found Things"

Enjoy a playful, powerful exhibition featuring work by three Durham artists who channel the natural world through recycled materials and... Details

Connecting the Dots: Navigating PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can feel overwhelming and isolating—but you are not alone, and healing is possible. Connect the dots... Details

Tasting at Ten

Tasting at Ten is a free coffee tasting hosted by Counter Culture Coffee at the roastery, every Friday at 10am. A new coffee is featured... Details

Friday Co-Working Social

Join in for a fun-filled Friday Co-Working and Networking Social at The Glass Jug Beer Lab - Downtown Durham! You've made it to Friday,... 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

Day of Honor: Geer Cemetery Banner Exhibit Opening Event

The Museum of Durham History, in partnership with Friends of Geer Cemetery (FOGC), is proud to announce the next phase of its ongoing... 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

Drink & Draw Art Opening with the Artist

See illustrator and artist, Caleb Gray's FIRST exhibition in Durham, NC. Caleb will be on site to help you create your own small... 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

Durham Events Calendar

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Featured Events