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

Pictured:

CenterFest - Credit Samantha Everette

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

Black Friday at Mystic

Celebrate the season with live music, food trucks and free bourbon tastings. Cocktails for $3, and half-price tours. Tours all day at 12, 2, and 4pm. Book online.

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Holiday Cocktail Class

Participants get a tour of the distillery, free tastings, and learn hands-on how to make some of your favorite holiday cocktails.

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Handel’s Messiah

Since 1933, Handel’s Messiah has been the fulcrum of the Chapel’s concert life and a cherished Duke holiday tradition. Handel’s masterwork traces the history of humanity’s divine redemption through Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection, in music that is both treasured and timeless. This year Messiah will be performed with period instruments and Baroque-era tuning, as Handel himself would have heard it. Each performance will last approximately two hours and fifteen minutes with intermission. Seat cushions...

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Show Me Reptiles & Exotics Show

The Show Me Reptile & Exotics Show is one of the largest reptile and exotic pet shows in the region. This is a safe and family friendly event geared to educate and introduce people to reptiles and exotics. The show is also a great place to go if you already have pets, with feeders and supplies from quality sources.

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Holiday Open House

Enjoy a look inside the historic McCown-Mangum House, Photography Museum, and Mill. While you’re there, try your hand at some crafts, listen to stories by the fireside, sing-along to live holiday music and treat yourself to yummy refreshments. No need to register—just drop in, rain or shine!

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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.

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African American Dance Ensemble Kwanzaafest

Join the African American Dance Ensemble for their 39th Kwanzaa celebration! The focus will be on the principle of Imani, which represents Faith. It’s a time to wholeheartedly believe in community and the justness of community struggles. Kwanzaa is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate African American culture and values, such as unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. It’s also a moment for reflection and joy, featuring communal feasts and gatherings that...

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Solstice: A Winter Circus Experience

Embark on an acrobatic journey with “Solstice: a Winter Circus Experience.” This captivating circus show unfolds the story of a character who has lost his inner light, plunging him into a wondrous and surreal world where memories come to life and the ordinary becomes ‘extra’ordinary. “Solstice” blends over 8 acrobatic acts with lighting, costumes, music, scenery, and snow to create a unique blend of poetry and circus in a 75-minute show! “Solstice” is an unforgettable...

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Biscuits & Banjos Festival

GRAMMY & Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens’ new festival is dedicated to the celebration and exploration of Black music, art and culture in her home state of North Carolina. Biscuits & Banjos is a 3-day festival to exchange ideas, expand conversations, uplift traditions, and trace the musical and geographical connections of old time, country, Americana, folk, jazz and blues to highlight their complicated origins. The festival will champion Black artists and creators, offering robust musical...

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Cosmic Baseball Takeover Tour

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

$1.50 Oysters at Alley Twenty Six

Durham’s Alley Twenty Six is now offering $1.50 raw oyster special from 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. A selection of oysters are sourced from... Details

Santa Paws

Pictures with Santa, holiday pet market and food vendors. This event also includes a canine ugly sweater contest, holiday pet market, and... Details

Kids Night Out

Get a few hours to yourself with Kids Night Out! 🧑‍🔬 Drop your little ones off for a kids-only evening of hands-on fun.... Details

Christmas by Candlelight at Duke Homestead (Night 1)

Kick off your holiday season with this annual favorite on December 1st! Enjoy live Christmas music, dancing, singing, holiday cookies, and... Details

Christmas by Candlelight at Duke Homestead (Night 1)

Kick off your holiday season with this annual favorite on December 1st! Enjoy live Christmas music, dancing, singing, holiday cookies, and... 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

Candlelit Sound Bath

This is an invitation to provide deep, rest for yourself (body, mind, and soul). This candlelit sound bath provides a container for the... Details

Adult Workshops: Native Plant Wreaths

The Museum’s own Horticulturist extrodinaire Bobbi Jo will lead this festive workshop making wreaths from native plants. Learn to identify... 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

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

Jingle Jam

LIFE Skills is turning 10! Help celebrate a DECADE of providing homes for young people aging out of foster care in Durham. The "Home for... Details

Durham Events Calendar

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Featured Events