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.
Submit an Event to our Calendar
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
Film Screening – Climbing Film Tour
The Climbing Film Tour features an awesome selection of short films celebrating the global climbing community. It is a unique platform for climbers and filmmakers worldwide to share their stories with the community. Every year, a selection of amazing films is chosen by the Vertical Life climbing team for a global tour.
Sat, 7:00pm Sun, 5:00pmTue, 7:10pm
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Operation Devil's Eye
Intense Hunter's Airsoft Event! Gear up and let the battle begin!
For ages 8 and up.
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Air Supply
One of the Greatest Soft Rock Duos of All Time Air Supply has been the recipient of unprecedented, worldwide radio airplay for their countless love songs. The duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock began in 1975. Russell provided the words, Hitchcock the distinctive tenor vocals, and Air Supply was born. In a very short time, they found themselves with seven consecutive top-five hits such as "Lost In Love," "All Out Of Love," and "Even...
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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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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
Free Wine Tasting
Sample a selection of wines from estate grown, family owned wineries from around the world. These tastings are educational, but also casual...
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Crafternoons
Crafternoons - All day event. Free pint with purchase of craft box. Choose from a variety of craft packages available for all ages.
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Nailed It DIY - Build It Event
Every fourth Saturday Nailed It reserves time for adults to build the project of the month. Art Tenders will guide you, step by step, to...
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Botanist & Barrel Cider Tasting
Dive into the world of craft cider at Glass Jug Downtown with the exceptional flavors of Botanist and Barrel, hailing from Asheville! Known...
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Downtown Durham Tree Lighting
Featuring Peppermint Pop-Up Market, live music and performances, a Strolling Santa, a kids zone, and of course, the tree lighting!
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Lower Eno River Discovery Paddle
Paddle along the Eno River on its journey into the Neuse River and explore the hidden creeks and coves that are home to frogs, salamanders,...
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Historic Downtown Durham Guided Walking Tour
The history of Durham is hidden beneath your feet! Join a tour of the history of Downtown Durham: From the Tobacco District to Five Points...
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Common Woman Chorus Fall Concert: Generations
Did you know that there are nearly 60 years separating the oldest and youngest members of CWC? That incredible generational diversity...
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Durham African American History Guided Tour
Durham is the home of a litany of African American historic sites. Whether you want to learn about architects, artists, athletes, or...
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Downtown Durham True Crime Walking Tour
Hosted by a local historian, the Durham True Crime walking tour will surely capture your curiosity. From a mayoral candidate with a...
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Shamu Garcon -- Cajun, Zydeco
You may remember this amazing group from Mardi Gras last February! We've been trying to get them back ever since! Featuring Shamu (aka,...
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The Illusionists
Celebrate the holidays with the entire family at THE ILLUSIONISTS - MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS, a mind-blowing showcase featuring jaw-dropping...
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