Events
Inspiring FOMO since 1869
Every day of the year, there’s a festival, show, concert, book reading, sporting event, or something incredible happening in the Bull City.
Durham is where self-made synth beats are created alongside home-grown and international talent.
Where renowned hip hop artists come home to spit with our next generation of performers.
Where there’s never a need to wait for Friday night; both large and small festivals and cultural events win the hearts of wandering souls from near and far — all week long.
Each year, 5,000 classes, tours, markets, competitions and performances await you here. The key to your next adventure lies in your own curiosity. Come taste, see, hear and discover.
We know many people are looking for things to do and ways to stay engaged with the Durham community. Check out the events below or head to the blog for safe and creative ways to remain connected to Durhamites, our local partners, and other Durham-based groups.
If you have any questions, please email eventcalendar@discoverdurham.com .
Featured Events
Mrs. Doubtfire
Everyone's favorite Scottish nanny is headed to DPAC in an internationally acclaimed new hit musical critics call "wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny" (Manchester Evening News) and "a feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers" (The Hollywood Reporter). Based on the beloved film and directed by four-time Tony Award® winner Jerry Zaks, MRS. DOUBTFIRE tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. It's "the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we...
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Conversation between María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Carmen Hermo and Mazie Harris
Hear artist and MacArthur Fellow María Magdalena Campos-Pons in conversation with the curators of her solo exhibition, “Behold,” organized by Carmen Hermo, Associate Curator, Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art, Brooklyn Museum and Mazie Harris, Assistant Curator, Department of Photographs, Getty Museum. Born in Cuba and working across disciplines that include photography, performance, film and painting, Campos-Pons creates work that illuminates the spirits of people and places past and present. As the descendant of...
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RetroGothic Film Series
Gothic horror movies are adult fairy tales. Young women appear at ancestral castles and fall in love with the dark, brooding masters of the estate. Or flee in terror while wearing flowing dresses. One window is always lit by candlelight against stormy midnight skies. There is murder, confinement, revenge, and ancient curses. Dark secrets pile up at alarming rates. The blood of resilient gothic heroes and heroines is ignited while saving their souls from Satan...
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Holi, the Festival of Colors
Throw colors, shake off winter + celebrate the arrival of Spring with henna, bhangra & more. India's most colorful festival is all about new beginnings, celebrating the triumph of good over evil, marking the end of winter/welcoming spring, and embracing rebirth.
There will be food specials from Cheeni x Mike D's BBQ available for purchase, and plenty of cocktails, wine and beer available at Congress and Proximity Brewing.
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Film Screening – Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival is one of the largest and most prestigious mountain festivals in the world. Held every fall from the Rocky Mountains of Banff Canada, films are screened and selected for the tour. From the over 400 entries submitted into the Festival each year, award-winning films and audience favorites are carefully selected to travel the globe. Tour programs feature a collection of the most inspiring action, environmental, and adventure films. See...
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LeToya Luckett
The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Leadership in Entertainment and the Arts Program (L.E.A.P.) Talk Symposium rounds out the academic year with artist and actress LeToya Luckett. Luckett, a two-time Grammy award winner and original member of the legendary group Destiny’s Child, epitomizes versatility and success in the realm of music, cinema and television. With her talents leading to multi-platinum music accolades, she is not only a revered recording artist but also an influential public...
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John Crist
John Crist is one of today's fast-rising stand-up comedians, with more than one billion video views, over five million fans on social media and sold-out shows from coast to coast making Pollstar's Top 100 Global Tours list in 2019 with over 197,000 tickets sold. Widely known for viral videos like "Honest Football Coach," "Every Parent at Disney," "Brands that need to be CANCELLED" plus hundreds more. John Crist has performed all over the world and...
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Durham Bulls FanFest
The event will feature two different sessions, with Session 1 taking place from 3:00pm-5:00pm, while Session 2 will last from 6:30pm-9:00pm. Admission is free, however tickets are required for entry. A limited number of tickets will be available for each session, with activities including:Play catch on the fieldBatting practice for fans 12 & underClubhouse toursSay hello to and get pictures with Wool E. BullPhoto opportunities with the manual scoreboard and groundscrew equipmentInflatable games
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Pat Metheny — Dream Box Tour
In Fall 2023, twenty-time Grammy Award-winning Guitarist & Composer Pat Metheny launched a solo tour which coincides with a new album release on BMG Modern Recordings, “Dream Box.” The tour, a first of its kind for Metheny, will feature personal and fan favorites from his nearly 50 year career.
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Joe Satriani & Steve Vai
Two of Rock’s Biggest Guitarists Joe Satriani and Steve Vai’s musical careers have been intertwined since their very early days. Satriani served as Vai’s guitar teacher during their teenage years on Long Island, New York. Their connection has continued to evolve over the years, even sharing record labels, starting at Relativity Records in the late 80’s, to both calling Sony/Epic Records home for a significant portion of the 90’s. Together, they have also frequently teamed...
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The Zombies Different Game Tour
2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees The Zombies are back with their long-awaited new album, "Different Game" (2023 - Cooking Vinyl Records). "Different Game" is the follow-up to the iconic British psychedelic pop legends’ 2015 Billboard-charting album, "Still Got That Hunger." The Zombies originally infiltrated the airwaves with sophisticated melodies, breathy vocals, choral back-up harmonies and jazzy keyboard riffs of their 1960’s hit singles “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No.” Ironically, the...
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Art Exhibit — Truth or Dare: A Reality Show
Highlighting uncertainty and contradiction, the artworks featured in Truth or Dare: A Reality Show emphasize the importance of questioning...
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The exhibit represents the inspiring life and career of Floyd B. McKissick, Sr. who worked alongside Dr. King in the civil rights movement.
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Art Exhibition - Stephen Hayes: Reclaiming the Discarded
Celebrate the power of history reborn at the opening reception of the upcoming exhibition, Reclaiming the Discarded. Each of the works...
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Studio Ghibli Film Series
For decades, Studio Ghibli has created breathtakingly beautiful movies that have captivated and inspired audiences for generations through...
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Art Exhibit — María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold
María Magdalena Campos-Pons: Behold is a monographic exhibition of a visionary voice in photography, immersive installation, painting and...
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NCCU Department of Art and Design Faculty Exhibition
The exhibition will encompass various artistic mediums, including drawing, fashion design, graphic design, painting, silkscreen prints,...
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Art Exhibit — "Eno Women/Part One/Hidden in Plain Sight"
Featuring the work of 17 artists, including "Sideways," a painting by @marticagriffin.
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Art Exhibit — "Constellations: The Geometry of the Roman Alphabet"
Delve into Steven Ferlauto's four-decade-long exploration of Sacred Geometry. Framed works, unframed prints, trade and fine press books,...
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Art Exhibit — "Imagine"
A showcase highlighting Jim McKeon's large-scale oil paintings that seamlessly blend figurative realism with whimsical, dreamy landscapes....
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Mrs. Doubtfire
Everyone's favorite Scottish nanny is headed to DPAC in an internationally acclaimed new hit musical critics call "wonderful,...
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Botany Spotlight: Mosses of Duke Gardens
Walk through Duke Gardens with Blanka Aguero to look for mosses and liverworts, discussing what they tell you about the site. Blanka is the...
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Ronald E. Dahl is the director of the Institute of Human Development at the University of California, Berkeley, where he also serves as a...
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