How to Celebrate Labor Day in Durham

When it's your last three-day weekend of summer, you've gotta go big and do it right. As we bid the longer days a bittersweet farewell and welcome all things fall (hello pumpkin spice), it's time to plan that final road trip and spend the long weekend resting, exploring, dreaming and dining in Durham with family and friends.

If you enjoy outdoor activities, live music, cocktails, beer and top-rated restaurants and accommodations, plan a weekend getaway to Durham to soak up the last rays of summer in those white shorts. Laborious? Nope, not this weekend. We're making things as easy as possible with this list of Labor Day accommodations, events and fun things to do!

The events below occurred in 2024. For details on 2025 Labor Day events, check back closer to the date.

Enjoy Live Music, Events & Shows

From hip hop and soulful jazz to art galleries and shows, there’s always something exciting happening in the Bull City.

The Duke Street Dogs | August 30

Grab a delectable plate of barbecue and see The Duke Street Dogs perform at Blue Note Grill. Playing a medley folk, jazz and more, The Duke Street Dogs are a beloved Durham act.

Jonathan Scales Fourchestra | August 30

Enjoy a live performance at the intimate venue, Missy Lane's Assembly Room. Jonathan Scales Fourchestra will take the stage Labor Day weekend, and they're sure to put on a good show.

Eno River Paddle | August 31

Join Two Sisters Adventure Company for a magical paddle down the lower Eno River. You can see all the beauty the Eno has to offer from a canoe or kayak on this 3-hour out-and-back trip.

Jazz Brunch and Lula & Sadie's | September 1

Sunday morning holds the promise of live jazz and a delicious bite at Lula and Sadie's. Whether you're looking for something sweet or something savory, Lula & Sadie's is ready to give you a peak brunch experience.

The Fruit Flea | September 1

Fuel up on brunch and head to The Fruit for the monthly gathering of Durham's creative community, where you can buy clothing, art, vintage goods and more.

Pre-Labor Day Indoor Picnic at The Restaurant at The Durham | September 1

Escape to the air conditioning and enjoy a no-frills picnic indoors at The Restaurant at The Durham. Relax with burgers, hot dogs and classic sides as you enjoy live music from Peridot Sun.

Labor Day Weekend Kickback with Jorden the DJ! at Velvet Hippo | September 1

Head to Velvet Hippo as the sun goes down to find out why Jorden the DJ was voted INDY Week's Best DJ in Durham County at this (cover-free!) dance party on the roof. Get your groove on from 8-midnight.

Lagers & Lemonades | September 2

Head over to either Glass Jug location on Labor Day to beat the late summer heat with lemonade slushies and jello shots. With lager pitchers at only $18, it'll be hard to resist this Labor Day hang.

NC International Food Fiesta | September 2

Drop by the Green Flea Market on Labor Day for free samples, a horseshoe contest and a DJ dance party. Entry is free, and you'll have plenty of food trucks to peruse.

Cheer on a Local Team

There are many reasons for sports fans to stay in town this Labor Day weekend. It's that magical time of year when college football season overlaps with Durham Bulls baseball. What could be better?

Durham Bulls vs. Buffalo Bisons | August 30 - September 1

Cheer on the Durham Bulls as they take on the Buffalo Bisons Friday and Saturday, Aug. 30th - 31, at 6:35 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 1, at 1:05 p.m. at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. On Saturday night, enjoy a special Stranger Things-themed event at the park. Sunday, kids get to run the bases.

Duke vs. Elon | August 30

Two NC teams will battle it out when Duke football takes on Elon. Snag tickets to the matchup at Wallace Wade Stadium at 8 p.m. This season, you can even bring the tailgate into the stadium with the new addition of the Devil's Deck.

Explore the Great Outdoors

Durham’s city vibe is paired with easy access to the wonders of nature in the form of lakes, forests, beautiful gardens and trails. Our outdoor adventure guide will help you unplug for a few hours and get in touch with nature.

Labor day weekend is the perfect time to plan a trip to one of Durham's popular attractions. Explore Sarah P. Duke Gardens, a 55-acre botanical wonderland in Durham. The Museum of Life and Science has over 35 indoor and outdoor exhibits for all ages, including a zoo, an aquarium, an aerospace museum, a science lab, a nature preserve, a conservatory, an old-time railway and more.

Forget the zoo. Book a tour at the Duke Lemur Center (DLC), the world's largest sanctuary for endangered lemurs outside Madagascar, for various tours, including a VIP behind-the-scenes experience.

Make a splash at the West Point on the Eno or Eno River State Park when you need to cool off. Falls Lake is also great for dock or bank fishing. Experience the outdoors and sign up for rock climbing, hiking and backpacking, canoeing, and paddling excursions with Frog Hollow Outdoors or take your adventure to the next level with Two Sisters Adventure Co., a local woman-led company.

See Murals & Public Art

Whether you’re hoping to see some of the well-known murals and landmarks around the city or looking to learn about Durham's history, we’ll make sure you don't miss a thing.

Travel by foot, bike, scooter, bus, or car on a self-guided tour around the city and county to experience art while learning about Durham, enjoying unique attractions and sampling local fare.

Whether you're searching for the perfect Instagram background or visiting and looking for something inexpensive and fun to do outdoors, our mural starin' and drink pairin' guide will help you discover art around the city while sipping on a refreshing beverage.

Markers, murals, homes, and heritage coalesce to honor the stories of our African American community. Check out Durham’s African American Heritage Guide to learn more about the people and events that helped shape Durham into what it is today.

Eat Finger-lickin' good Barbecue

We tend to grill burgers and hotdogs for Memorial Day; turkeys are gobbled for Thanksgiving; and everyone (well, almost everyone) eats barbecue for Labor Day. Ready for a weekend full of smoked meat and beer? Here's a list of some of Durham's best barbecue spots.

Dine outside at a local Restaurant

Craving cacio e pepe, sambusa, mojo chicken empanadas and more? What about cold and creamy ice cream treats? Take your pick from one of the many restaurants where you can dine outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather.

Check out the Bars & Nightlife

Durham comes alive when the sun goes down. From late-night eats and dive bars to celebrated craft cocktails and venues with nationally touring acts, the Bull City’s energy will keep pace with you through the wee hours. Here's a guide to the city's vibrant bars and nightlife with the best music, drinks and atmosphere to keep the party going strong.

Book the best Accommodations

Durham has nearly 70 lodging options (with around 8,000 guest rooms), ranging from large conference centers and boutique hotels to cozy bed and breakfasts and locally-owned inns, plus over 1,000 active rentals with unique experiences on Airbnb and VRBO. Find everything you need to know about where to stay.

For a comprehensive list of all of the Durham events happening on Labor Day weekend, visit our events calendar.