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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Popular in Durham

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Blac Youngsta takes over CLUB RDU

Today • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

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Lucky Strike Durham Lucky Launch Party!

Tomorrow • 11:00 AM

Lucky Strike Durham

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Brunswick Stew and Soulful Tunes

Tomorrow • 2:00 PM

Bull McCabe's Irish Pub with the TanDurm Kitchen

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Innovation Showcase & Closing Remarks

Thursday • 4:30 PM

Gross Hall

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The Merry Wives of Windsor

Fri, Nov 13 • 7:00 PM + 2 more

Cynthia Fowler Barnes Auditorium

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NC Comicon 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 AM

Durham Convention Center

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The Assembly Newsmakers RTP: Then, Now, Next

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:30 PM

Frontier RTP

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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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Blac Youngsta takes over CLUB RDU

Today • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

Check ticket price on event

Lucky Strike Durham Lucky Launch Party!

Tomorrow • 11:00 AM

Lucky Strike Durham

Check ticket price on event

Brunswick Stew and Soulful Tunes

Tomorrow • 2:00 PM

Bull McCabe's Irish Pub with the TanDurm Kitchen

Check ticket price on event

Innovation Showcase & Closing Remarks

Thursday • 4:30 PM

Gross Hall

Check ticket price on event

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Fri, Nov 13 • 7:00 PM + 2 more

Cynthia Fowler Barnes Auditorium

Check ticket price on event

NC Comicon 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 AM

Durham Convention Center

Check ticket price on event

The Assembly Newsmakers RTP: Then, Now, Next

Tue, Nov 17 • 4:30 PM

Frontier RTP

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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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This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Wednesday • 7:30 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thursday • 2:00 PM UTC

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Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM EST

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SVPG Product Masterclass - Nov 16-18, 2026

Mon, Nov 16 • 12:00 PM GMT

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HBR Press Webinar: Unspeakable

Mon, Nov 23 • 8:00 AM EST

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How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Thu, Dec 3 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE: Drawing in Colour and Monochrome

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This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Wednesday • 7:30 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thursday • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

SVPG Product Masterclass - Nov 16-18, 2026

Mon, Nov 16 • 12:00 PM GMT

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HBR Press Webinar: Unspeakable

Mon, Nov 23 • 8:00 AM EST

Check ticket price on event

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Thu, Dec 3 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE: Drawing in Colour and Monochrome

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This Weekend

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Blac Youngsta takes over CLUB RDU

Today • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

Check ticket price on event

"Who Do You Say I Am?": Retreat Day with Author Sharon Garlough Brown

Today • 9:00 AM

Christ the King Church

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Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda

Today • 6:00 PM

Daughters Coffee and Books

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SoJam Lite! A Cappella Festival 2026

Today • 9:00 AM

West Duke Building

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Pour & Paint at Melanated Wine

Today • 7:00 PM

Melanated Wine Tasting Room

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KINGS OF THE TRIANGLE

Today • 5:00 PM

234 Muldee St

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Brunswick Stew and Soulful Tunes

Tomorrow • 2:00 PM

Bull McCabe's Irish Pub with the TanDurm Kitchen

Check ticket price on event

Creative Fiber Art & Crafting with Linette Knight

Tomorrow • 3:00 PM

Exotique : Boutique and Gallery

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Blac Youngsta takes over CLUB RDU

Today • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

Check ticket price on event

"Who Do You Say I Am?": Retreat Day with Author Sharon Garlough Brown

Today • 9:00 AM

Christ the King Church

Check ticket price on event

Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda

Today • 6:00 PM

Daughters Coffee and Books

Check ticket price on event

SoJam Lite! A Cappella Festival 2026

Today • 9:00 AM

West Duke Building

Check ticket price on event

Pour & Paint at Melanated Wine

Today • 7:00 PM

Melanated Wine Tasting Room

Check ticket price on event

KINGS OF THE TRIANGLE

Today • 5:00 PM

234 Muldee St

Check ticket price on event

Brunswick Stew and Soulful Tunes

Tomorrow • 2:00 PM

Bull McCabe's Irish Pub with the TanDurm Kitchen

Check ticket price on event

Creative Fiber Art & Crafting with Linette Knight

Tomorrow • 3:00 PM

Exotique : Boutique and Gallery

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Music events

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The Rap Breakdown

Wednesday • 7:00 PM

Dram and Draught

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Jerron Paxton and Dennis Lichtman

Thursday • 7:30 PM

Magnetic Sound Studios

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Finesse2tymes aka 250 Ricky bonfire after party at CLUB RDU

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

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BLUE MAGIC - UNC Homecoming Finale @ Peace & Saint Durham

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 PM

Peace & Saint Durham

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The Saturday Spin - The Jukebox Takeover Kore

Sat, Nov 21 • 9:00 PM

Kore Durham

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That Sexy Black Party is BACK: 2 Parties In One!

Fri, Nov 27 • 9:00 PM

Weldon Mills Distillery Durham

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Black Eclipse

Fri, Nov 27 • 4:00 PM

Aria Durham

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Fahlkyn Session

Thu, Dec 3 • 6:30 PM

Betty & Vi's Cocktail Bar & Lounge

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The Rap Breakdown

Wednesday • 7:00 PM

Dram and Draught

Check ticket price on event

Jerron Paxton and Dennis Lichtman

Thursday • 7:30 PM

Magnetic Sound Studios

Check ticket price on event

Finesse2tymes aka 250 Ricky bonfire after party at CLUB RDU

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 PM

2223 NC-54

Check ticket price on event

BLUE MAGIC - UNC Homecoming Finale @ Peace & Saint Durham

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 PM

Peace & Saint Durham

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The Saturday Spin - The Jukebox Takeover Kore

Sat, Nov 21 • 9:00 PM

Kore Durham

Check ticket price on event

That Sexy Black Party is BACK: 2 Parties In One!

Fri, Nov 27 • 9:00 PM

Weldon Mills Distillery Durham

Check ticket price on event

Black Eclipse

Fri, Nov 27 • 4:00 PM

Aria Durham

Check ticket price on event

Fahlkyn Session

Thu, Dec 3 • 6:30 PM

Betty & Vi's Cocktail Bar & Lounge

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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.

Popular in Durham

Blac Youngsta takes over CLUB RDU

Lucky Strike Durham Lucky Launch Party!

Brunswick Stew and Soulful Tunes

Innovation Showcase & Closing Remarks

The Merry Wives of Windsor

NC Comicon 2026

The Assembly Newsmakers RTP: Then, Now, Next

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

Blac Youngsta takes over CLUB RDU

Lucky Strike Durham Lucky Launch Party!

Brunswick Stew and Soulful Tunes

Innovation Showcase & Closing Remarks

The Merry Wives of Windsor

NC Comicon 2026

The Assembly Newsmakers RTP: Then, Now, Next

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

Online Events

This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Lean Global Connection 2026

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

SVPG Product Masterclass - Nov 16-18, 2026

HBR Press Webinar: Unspeakable

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE: Drawing in Colour and Monochrome

This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Lean Global Connection 2026

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

SVPG Product Masterclass - Nov 16-18, 2026

HBR Press Webinar: Unspeakable

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE: Drawing in Colour and Monochrome

This Weekend

Blac Youngsta takes over CLUB RDU

"Who Do You Say I Am?": Retreat Day with Author Sharon Garlough Brown

Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda

SoJam Lite! A Cappella Festival 2026

Pour & Paint at Melanated Wine

KINGS OF THE TRIANGLE

Brunswick Stew and Soulful Tunes

Creative Fiber Art & Crafting with Linette Knight

Blac Youngsta takes over CLUB RDU

"Who Do You Say I Am?": Retreat Day with Author Sharon Garlough Brown

Pottery Painting with Cozy Panda

SoJam Lite! A Cappella Festival 2026

Pour & Paint at Melanated Wine

KINGS OF THE TRIANGLE

Brunswick Stew and Soulful Tunes

Creative Fiber Art & Crafting with Linette Knight

Music events

The Rap Breakdown

Jerron Paxton and Dennis Lichtman

Finesse2tymes aka 250 Ricky bonfire after party at CLUB RDU

BLUE MAGIC - UNC Homecoming Finale @ Peace & Saint Durham

The Saturday Spin - The Jukebox Takeover Kore

That Sexy Black Party is BACK: 2 Parties In One!

Black Eclipse

Fahlkyn Session

The Rap Breakdown

Jerron Paxton and Dennis Lichtman

Finesse2tymes aka 250 Ricky bonfire after party at CLUB RDU

BLUE MAGIC - UNC Homecoming Finale @ Peace & Saint Durham

The Saturday Spin - The Jukebox Takeover Kore

That Sexy Black Party is BACK: 2 Parties In One!

Black Eclipse

Fahlkyn Session

Points of Interest near Durham

Where can I find live music events in Durham?

What are some free events in Durham?

Are there any good venues for comedy shows in Durham?

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

How can I experience the art scene in Durham?

What kind of family-friendly events happen in Durham?

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

What is there to do in the Ninth Street area?