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.

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.

Submit an Event

If you have any questions, please email eventcalendar@discoverdurham.com.

Featured Events

November Third Friday in the Visitor Info Center - Storytelling with Indigenous Memories

Stop by the Visitor Info Center for sweet treats and an activation by Beverly Scarlett of Indigenous Memories. Beverly will lead an insightful storytelling session focused on the lives of Free People of Color within Indigenous nations. This is an opportunity to learn about these communities' rich narratives and experiences, particularly how they navigated the complexities of life pre-Civil War. Beverly’s passion for preserving and sharing these vital stories is truly inspiring. Her expertise will...

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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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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

Michael W. Smith: Every Christmas

With Special Guest: Riley Clemmons Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter, Michael W. Smith, is excited to come to Durham, NC with his “EVERY... Details

The Crones of Anarchy--Blues, Rock, Americana

Crones band members, Darby Odom, Sandee Washington, and Ann Shrago, know how to rock! With their soulful vocals, badass harmonies,... Details

Mystic Barn Dance

It's gonna be an old fashioned, toe-tapping hoedown! Whether you're a seasoned dancer or taking your first steps onto the dance floor, this... Details

Music on Mangum

Free Music on Mangum at Durham Beer Garden. Every Saturday! This weekends artist is Taxicab Preacher from 7-9pm! Details

Jim Ketch Swingtet

Jim Ketch is one of the most important jazz artist/educators in North Carolina. Director of the jazz studies program at UNC-CH for over 30... Details

Last Ward: Yaa Samar! Dance Theater

Last Ward follows one man’s journey towards death in a hospital room. Surrounded by the sterile mechanisms of modern medicine, the patient... Details

Jon Shain's Birthday Show

Celebrate Jon's birthday with us with Jon Shain Trio (Jon, FJ Ventre, and Bill Newton) at the Blue Note Grill! Old Teeyum Smith will open... Details

City Folk (Pete Smith and Jane Muldoon-Smith) is an acoustic folk group that plays music spanning contemporary folk and pop music to... Details

Moon Dog Comedy Night

A hilarious and fun Stand Up Comedy Show. This show will feature the best up and coming local talent in North Carolina. Put together by the... Details

The Setup: An Improvised Play

The stage is set. The actors are ready. But the script? It’s being made up one line at a time. Welcome to the setup, a show where a cast of... Details