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

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CenterFest - Credit Samantha Everette

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

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

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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Thanksgiving: History & Legacy Tours

The modern Thanksgiving holiday stems from a mid-19th century campaign by Sara Josepha Hale for the adoption of a national thanksgiving holiday. President Abraham Lincoln created the federal holiday in 1863 during the American Civil War. So how did our Thanksgiving narrative come to focus on a fantastical meal shared between colonists and American Indians? What messages did Americans hope to convey with the Thanksgiving holiday? What were some popular Thanksgiving foods of generations past...

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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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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

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

TGIF: Family Game Night

It’s Friday night in the ’90s. The TV is set to TGIF, your favorite board game is spread across the floor, and someone’s begging to trade... 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

Live Vinyl Spinning by PhDJ Every 1st & 3rd Friday!

A favorite local DJ comes to spin records every FIRST and THIRD Friday of the month with a variety of vinyl offerings. Anything from funk... Details

Pregame Fridays!

Every Friday at Club Era they pick a spotlight artist playlist. All you need to do is show up on the dance floor with your moves and vibes! Details

Wanda Sykes: Please & Thank You Tour

WANDA SYKES is an Emmy winning stand up comic, writer, actress and producer who has been entertaining audiences for over twenty years. She... 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

Open Mic Comedy Night at Durty Bull

Join in every Friday from 8pm-11pm at Durty Bull for a night of laughs. Check out local aspiring comics as they test out there material and... Details