Durham Events Calendar
Inspiring FOMO since 1869
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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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
Black Santa
Santas Just Like Me has been providing Santas of color since 2013. Thousands of children have been touched by visits with Santa sharing...
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Holidays in the Park
Enjoy a memorable stroll with your loved ones through some of the Museum of Life + Science outdoor and indoor spaces on evenings in...
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Fleet Feet Ninth Street bRUNch Club
Join in for a weekly run on Sundays at 10 AM starting from Fleet Feet Ninth Street. All paces are welcome for this scenic trip around Duke...
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Jazz Brunch at Lula & Sadie's
Experience the vibrant pulse of live jazz music at Lula & Sadie's Sunday Brunch! Every week the soulful melodies and rhythmic beats create...
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Yoga @ The Winery
A Great Way To Celebrate The End of Summer. Go for yoga and stay for view, food trucks & refreshments.
What to expect
Imagining doing...
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NC Air Hockey Players Air Hockey Tournament
Every Sunday at Durty Bull, NC Air Hockey Players hosts a double elimination tournament! Show off your puck handling, earn bragging rights,...
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Last Minute Holiday Market
Find perfect gifts that shine - just in the *nick* of time! Shop small, support local, and sip on Christmas cheer at Boxcar's Last Minute...
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Sunday Dollar Bin Sale for Charity at Rumors
Rumors Durham will be raising money for various charities every Sunday outside the store front!
We will have several bins of $1 items...
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Public Tour of Duke Chapel
Learn about the history, architecture, and life of Duke Chapel in this tour, which is free and open to the public. The tour begins at 12:15...
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Open Table TTRPG at Moon Dog Meadery
Game Masters and their groups can enjoy their TTRPGs at Moon Dog with no distractions from other events. . There is no table fee just bring...
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Soul Sunday w/ DJ Soul
DJ Soul spent his adult life between the DMV, Atlanta, and South Korea. Over the past 20 years, he has built his reputation as a DJ through...
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Hammered Trivia w/ Thor
Award winning Trivia Hosted by Thor himself. Come get hammered and see why Sunday funday just got a little bit better, from mimosas, beer...
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