Performing Arts

Durham's performing arts scene thrives on contrast: world-class productions meet scrappy DIY energy, and both get standing ovations.

Movement and sound. That's us. We're loud enough to be heard, and bold enough to command attention. The performing arts are a cornerstone of how Durham came to be the city it is today.

We're home to DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, a venue that's garnered international acclaim for over a decade of hosting Broadway blockbusters like Hamilton and The Lion King, chart-topping concerts, comedy tours and more. Our historic Carolina Theatre hosts the Full Frame Film Festival and the OUTSOUTH Queer Film Festival.

Festivals Bring Downtown Together

Festivals sprawl across downtown's diverse venues, bringing in visitors and residents alike as part of one big community. Headliners at events like Biscuits & Banjos and Sylvan Esso's Good Moon Festival take over outdoor stages and larger venues like DPAC and Durham Bulls Athletic Park, while local acts draw crowds at smaller downtown spots. Bigger bands with ties to the area often play intimate shows on DIY stages or even in a local backyard, and jazz artists gather to jam together at cocktail bars and after-hours haunts.

Universities Feed Durham's Cultural Engine

Our universities are intentional partners in this ecosystem. Duke and NC Central University offer state-of-the-art performing arts spaces where stories get told and voices get amplified. Both universities host free lecture series throughout the year and collaborate with organizations and venues across the city to bring performers, speakers and artists to town. You'll find guest lecturers open to the public on campus, musical performances in partnership with local parks and dance shows at neighborhood venues.

Talent lives and breathes here. Talent comes to perform here. Arts enthusiasts flourish here. The physical embodiment of Durham lives on stage, and your ticket for admission gets you far more than just a show — we promise.