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
Zodiac Trio
Taking full advantage of the unusual instrumentation of clarinet, violin and piano, the Zodiac Trio are at the forefront of innovative...
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Cowboy Bebop LIVE!
Cowboy Bebop LIVE! is a complete multimedia experience highlighting the story of critically acclaimed anime, “Cowboy Bepop,” on the big...
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Rebecca Kleinmann Ensemble Experience
The Rebecca Kleinmann Ensemble Experience features music from Brazil, Cuba, Venezuela and Jazz from the US. This group provides a Salsa and...
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Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons have announced new stops on their celebrated “The Last Encores Tour”.
The acclaimed band has decided to...
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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...
Details
The Wiz
THE WIZ returns “home” to stages across America in an all-new Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years.
Baltimore Sun raves “Powerhouse...
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Friday Night Live: Onyx Club Boys
Gypsy jazz featuring French vocalist, Sophie Dal-Pra! All French music from Edith Piaf to the 21st century.
Musical performances happen...
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Friday Night Live: Dub Lorenzo
Dub Lorenzo plays pulsating instrumental dub reggae influenced by Jamaican classics, rhythmic jazz and melodic pop alongside their hypnotic...
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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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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...
Details
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...
Details
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...
Details