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Best events in
Durham

Looking for events or things to do in Durham, NC? The city’s scene is deeply rooted in its history, with many of the best venues and restaurants housed in revitalized tobacco warehouses and industrial buildings. A lively culinary culture often sets the stage for a night out, with chef-driven spots located just steps from major performance halls.

Start an evening on the American Tobacco Campus with dinner before walking to a Broadway show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or a Durham Bulls game.
Explore the Central Park District, a community hub known for the weekly Durham Farmers' Market and live shows at Motorco Music Hall.
Catch independent films and live performances at the historic Carolina Theatre or see local bands at intimate downtown spots like The Pinhook.

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NOSTALGIA @ THE HILTON - NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE primary image

NOSTALGIA @ THE HILTON - NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE

Today • 9:00 PM

Hilton Durham near Duke University

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Good Moon pres. Circuit des Yeux's "Wordless Music" at Bay 7 primary image

Good Moon pres. Circuit des Yeux's "Wordless Music" at Bay 7

Today • 10:00 PM

Bay 7

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(PlutoWeen) Pluto takes over CLUB RDU for halloween primary image

(PlutoWeen) Pluto takes over CLUB RDU for halloween

Sat, Oct 31 • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

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ABE 2026 Black Tie Special Edition with DJ Skillz DJ Cleve DJ Que DJ Ike primary image

ABE 2026 Black Tie Special Edition with DJ Skillz DJ Cleve DJ Que DJ Ike

Sat, Nov 28 • 9:00 PM

Sheraton Imperial Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park

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NOSTALGIA @ THE HILTON - NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE primary image

NOSTALGIA @ THE HILTON - NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE

Today • 9:00 PM

Hilton Durham near Duke University

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Good Moon pres. Circuit des Yeux's "Wordless Music" at Bay 7 primary image

Good Moon pres. Circuit des Yeux's "Wordless Music" at Bay 7

Today • 10:00 PM

Bay 7

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(PlutoWeen) Pluto takes over CLUB RDU for halloween primary image

(PlutoWeen) Pluto takes over CLUB RDU for halloween

Sat, Oct 31 • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

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ABE 2026 Black Tie Special Edition with DJ Skillz DJ Cleve DJ Que DJ Ike primary image

ABE 2026 Black Tie Special Edition with DJ Skillz DJ Cleve DJ Que DJ Ike

Sat, Nov 28 • 9:00 PM

Sheraton Imperial Hotel Raleigh-Durham Airport at Research Triangle Park

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Popular in Durham

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NCCU night crawl primary image

NCCU night crawl

Today • 4:00 PM

601 W Main St

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Bellygang kush homecoming takeover at CLUB RDU primary image

Bellygang kush homecoming takeover at CLUB RDU

Today • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

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Southern Doc Fest primary image

Southern Doc Fest

Today • 1:00 PM

Durham Arts Council

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2026 Wyland Lecture on Religion and Law primary image

2026 Wyland Lecture on Religion and Law

Thursday • 6:30 PM

Reynolds Industries Theater

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WORSHIP RESTORED CONFERENCE 2026 primary image

WORSHIP RESTORED CONFERENCE 2026

Thursday • 12:00 PM

The River Church

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White Rock Baptist Church 160th Anniversary Concert ft John P. Kee primary image

White Rock Baptist Church 160th Anniversary Concert ft John P. Kee

Sat, Oct 17 • 5:00 PM

Hillside High School

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Structure, Sign, and Play in the Age of AI primary image

Structure, Sign, and Play in the Age of AI

Thu, Oct 22 • 10:00 AM

John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute at Duke University

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Period Prom 2026 primary image

Period Prom 2026

Sat, Oct 24 • 6:00 PM

The Cotton Room

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NCCU night crawl primary image

NCCU night crawl

Today • 4:00 PM

601 W Main St

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Bellygang kush homecoming takeover at CLUB RDU primary image

Bellygang kush homecoming takeover at CLUB RDU

Today • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

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Southern Doc Fest primary image

Southern Doc Fest

Today • 1:00 PM

Durham Arts Council

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2026 Wyland Lecture on Religion and Law primary image

2026 Wyland Lecture on Religion and Law

Thursday • 6:30 PM

Reynolds Industries Theater

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WORSHIP RESTORED CONFERENCE 2026 primary image

WORSHIP RESTORED CONFERENCE 2026

Thursday • 12:00 PM

The River Church

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White Rock Baptist Church 160th Anniversary Concert ft John P. Kee primary image

White Rock Baptist Church 160th Anniversary Concert ft John P. Kee

Sat, Oct 17 • 5:00 PM

Hillside High School

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Structure, Sign, and Play in the Age of AI primary image

Structure, Sign, and Play in the Age of AI

Thu, Oct 22 • 10:00 AM

John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute at Duke University

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Period Prom 2026 primary image

Period Prom 2026

Sat, Oct 24 • 6:00 PM

The Cotton Room

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Online Events

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thursday • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD primary image

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026 primary image

Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026

Sat, Oct 24 • 11:30 AM GMT+4

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett primary image

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives primary image

Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism primary image

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thursday • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD primary image

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026 primary image

Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026

Sat, Oct 24 • 11:30 AM GMT+4

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett primary image

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives primary image

Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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This Weekend

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Bellygang kush homecoming takeover at CLUB RDU primary image

Bellygang kush homecoming takeover at CLUB RDU

Today • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

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NOSTALGIA @ THE HILTON - NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE primary image

NOSTALGIA @ THE HILTON - NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE

Today • 9:00 PM

Hilton Durham near Duke University

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Southern Doc Fest primary image

Southern Doc Fest

Today • 1:00 PM

Durham Arts Council

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NCCU night crawl primary image

NCCU night crawl

Today • 4:00 PM

601 W Main St

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Southern Hospitality - Never Leave Homecoming on A Sunday primary image

Southern Hospitality - Never Leave Homecoming on A Sunday

Tomorrow • 3:00 PM

Peace & Saint Durham

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Mahjong and Mimosas at the Vega NEW DATE OCT 11 primary image

Mahjong and Mimosas at the Vega NEW DATE OCT 11

Tomorrow • 1:00 PM

The Vega

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Learning Clinic: Renovation Planning in 1 Hour primary image

Learning Clinic: Renovation Planning in 1 Hour

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

803 Ramseur St

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SENDOFF NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE primary image

SENDOFF NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE

Tomorrow • 4:00 PM

Dame's Chicken & Waffles

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Bellygang kush homecoming takeover at CLUB RDU primary image

Bellygang kush homecoming takeover at CLUB RDU

Today • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

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NOSTALGIA @ THE HILTON - NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE primary image

NOSTALGIA @ THE HILTON - NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE

Today • 9:00 PM

Hilton Durham near Duke University

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Southern Doc Fest primary image

Southern Doc Fest

Today • 1:00 PM

Durham Arts Council

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NCCU night crawl primary image

NCCU night crawl

Today • 4:00 PM

601 W Main St

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Southern Hospitality - Never Leave Homecoming on A Sunday primary image

Southern Hospitality - Never Leave Homecoming on A Sunday

Tomorrow • 3:00 PM

Peace & Saint Durham

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Mahjong and Mimosas at the Vega NEW DATE OCT 11 primary image

Mahjong and Mimosas at the Vega NEW DATE OCT 11

Tomorrow • 1:00 PM

The Vega

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Learning Clinic: Renovation Planning in 1 Hour primary image

Learning Clinic: Renovation Planning in 1 Hour

Tomorrow • 6:30 PM

803 Ramseur St

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SENDOFF NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE primary image

SENDOFF NCCU HOMECOMING FINALE

Tomorrow • 4:00 PM

Dame's Chicken & Waffles

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Frequently asked questions about Durham

Where can I find live music events in Durham?

Motorco Music Hall and The Pinhook are great spots for live music events. Motorco, in the Central Park District, is a larger repurposed space, while The Pinhook offers an intimate downtown setting for indie bands and DJs.

What are some free events in Durham?

The PLAYlist Concert Series at Durham Central Park offers free monthly shows from May to October. For a different kind of free event, the Monthly Durham Art Walk & Gallery Crawl opens up downtown galleries and studios to the public.

Are there any good venues for comedy shows in Durham?

The Comedy Dojo & Event Center is a dedicated club for comedy. It features both scheduled performances and open mic nights. Major touring comedians often perform at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) or the Carolina Theatre.

What's a good plan for a date night in Durham?

Pair dinner in Brightleaf Square with a show at a nearby downtown venue. The historic tobacco warehouses create a charming atmosphere for a meal, and it's a short walk to the Carolina Theatre for a film or to Boxcar Bar + Arcade for games.

How can I experience the art scene in Durham?

Participate in the Monthly Durham Art Walk & Gallery Crawl downtown. For performing arts, the American Dance Festival is a celebrated annual summer series, and the CenterFest Arts Festival is a juried event that takes over downtown each fall.

What kind of family-friendly events happen in Durham?

A Durham Bulls baseball game is a classic family outing at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The annual Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival is also a large, free, family-friendly event celebrating African and African American culture each spring.

Where are the best spots for food and drink events in Durham?

The Durham Food Hall often hosts its own programming and food-centric events. For a more casual scene, the weekend farmers' markets at Durham Central Park or in South Durham serve as community hubs with food trucks and local vendors.

What is there to do in the Ninth Street area?

Ninth Street is known for its casual eateries, coffee shops, and bookstores. Located near Duke University's East Campus, it's a popular daytime spot for a meal and a stroll through its unique collection of shops.