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

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

Love Durham Closing Party in the Visitor Info Center

There's a lot to celebrate downtown this Third Friday! To celebrate the end of the Love Durham campaign, there will be a Love Durham Closing Party in the Visitor Info Center from 6-9pm. Programming includes: Complete the Love Durham Challenge to earn prizesLove Durham tattoo stationMajor the Bull coloring activationDJ DamolaMarket in our Visitor Info Center and hallway with 13 Love Durham businesses:Middle Of May ThriftThe Bean FlowerLittle Barb’s BakeryBoricua SoulEUtopia DesignBittergoodsThe Artisan Market at...

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The Great Gatsby Ballet by the World Ballet Company

Step into the jazzy world of the Roaring Twenties with this new production of the World Ballet Company. See the glitz, glamor, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel LIVE on stage, featuring a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers, an all-star creative team, lustrous hand-crafted costumes, and lavish, groundbreaking sets. The original score evokes the energy and atmosphere of the 1920s.World Ballet Company’s “The Great Gatsby” is a must-see feast for...

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The Monti GrandSLAM

An event eight months in the making, “The Monti GrandSLAM” pits regular season StorySLAM champions against each other with brand-new stories on an entirely new theme. Do not miss the championship event that everyone will be talking about.Eight storytellers. Five minutes per story. One GrandSLAM champion!

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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

The Promise of Peace: Slavery's End in North Carolina

The close of the American Civil War with military surrenders at sites like Bennett Place assured the end of legal slavery in America. On the evening before the 160th anniversary of the Bennett Place surrender, join us as we commemorate and recognize the lives of over 330,000 North Carolinians enslaved during the Civil War. This program highlights experiences of enslaved and newly freed people through storytelling, music, and luminaries.

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Uneasy Peace: Bennett Place Surrender's 160th Anniversary

During our 160th Anniversary Program, Bennett Place State Historic Site explores the surrender and its impact on all North Carolinians. Join us to learn more about how veterans, civilians, and freedpeople alike experienced and thought about the end of the American Civil War and what would come next. The program features several costumed interpretation displays and performances.

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Civil War: Part 1 Airsoft Event

Ultimate Airsoft Event! Gear up and let the battle begin! For ages 8 and up.

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Bourbon Blending Class

Join Mystic Farm & Distillery for a professionally led course on the art and science of blending bourbon. The masterminds behind Mystic's excellent bourbon will lead you through blending your very own bottle! They hand select samples from 3 of their barrels to bring you the best tasting experience. Through the course, you will sample these bourbons individually and work with your instructor on identifying flavors and creating blends that are unique to you and...

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Juneteenth Celebration

Officially sanctioned by the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, this fun-filled, educational, and uplifting festival will feature national recording artists and local performers, food trucks, vendors, a health fair, a Kids zone, exhibitors, and more! The festival kicks off with the official Opening Ceremony, which includes a processional with dancers, drummers, and the community. This is followed by a prayer, proclamations, the pouring of the libation, and presentations on the origin and significance of Juneteenth. Entertainment...

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Festival for the Eno

Music: Over 60 artists on three stages. Juried Craft Show: artisans from throughout the Southeast.Food & Drink: Food trucks and vendors, craft beers, wines, seltzers and cider.More: Art and dance demonstrations, fun on the river! The EnoFest, presented annually by the Eno River Association, raises awareness and funds to protect and restore exceptional places that provide our region with clean water and healthy forests, wildlife and natural areas, and open space. Parking is at Durham...

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Giant Robot Fight Club

Giant Robot Fight Club is the only place on earth you can watch regular people in homemade robot costumes beat each other up. Join host... Details

Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos, a smokin' Zydeco/Cajun-flavored blues band out of North Carolina. MEL... Details

Gabrielle Stravelli

Listening to the jazz singer Gabrielle Stravelli is like imbibing a potent cocktail whose flavor changes as you drain the glass…She dipped... Details

Golden Age

The cast of Golden Age interviews local artists about their work to inspire an evening of comedy. They’ve featured musicians, painters,... Details

Daft Disko

A night of French House and disco, inspired by the music of:Daft Punk ⋅ Stardust ⋅ Breakbot ⋅ Flight Facilities ⋅ Giorgio Moroder ⋅ Modjo ⋅... Details

Full Moon Hike

Experience the West Point on the Eno's forest and trails under a full moon. Children must be accompanied by an adult for this program.... Details

Saturday Night Dance Party

Join in on the roof in downtown Durham every weekend for a Saturday Night Dance Party with the best DJs in the Triangle! Dance the night... Details

Shallow Cuts: MTV Spring Break

DJs Fifi Hi-Fi and special guest GAY AGENDA are ready to serve up a shamelessly shallow pop party! Gather to celebrate this crazy thing... Details

Doll Domination – an All Trans Drag Show

Pink! White! Or Blue!Which one are you!?Be prideful! Wear your color bb!DOLL DOMINATION is about being yourselves and knowing you are... Details

Drink, Drag, Dance, Repeat!

Every Saturday is a dance party, and every Saturday is a New ERA! Club ERA gives you a new Dj with a drag show, and a good drink to match... Details

Kayaking 101

Kayaking 101 class is designed to give paddlers the needed foundation of skills and techniques to build your kayaking skills. These group... Details

The Book of Mormon

The New York Times calls it “the best musical of this century.” The Washington Post says, “It is the kind of evening that restores your... Details

Durham Events Calendar

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Featured Events