The best season is here and there are some many things to do in Durham this Fall. Here are the events, festivals and seasonal experiences to keep on your radar.
Visit a local pumpkin patch
‘Tis the season of pumpkin everything. We’re ready for cooler weather, corn mazes, apple cider, and carving pumpkins. What about carving pumpkins with baby goats, you ask? Yep, we’ve got you covered. There’s so many great pumpkin patches, farm, and corn mazes to visit in and around Durham. Here’s the best farms to get your Fall on.
Get Your Fall Festival On
Fall is here which means that, along with cooler weather, so are everybody’s favorite Durham festivals, along with a few new ones. Here is the 12 you can’t miss.
Roast Marshmallows at Liberty Art’s Fallapalooza
Beer and cider from local breweries, food prepared for the season and, of course, s’mores made by you over Liberty Arts’ own fire pits.
Paint a pumpkin at Perkins Orchard
For $10 get a small pumpkin and a decorating kit! Make it there or to-go.
Visit Little Shop of Horror
Stock up just in time for Halloween. A local favorite, Little Shop of Horror has an awesome selection of movies, gifts, and oddities. You can actually visit all year around!
Work your way through Durham’s local fall seasonal craft beers
See all Durham’s breweries here and keep an eye out for their seasonal releases.
Celebrate the LGBTQ community at Pride: Durham | Sept 28
The parade will be happening at 11 am, and the main stage will have live performances at 1 pm. Head to Central Park in the evening at 5pm for even more music, food trucks, and vendors.
Cheer on Duke or NCCU at a Football Game
Football season is back! Duke’s Schedule | NCCU Schedule
Get your pet blessed at the Blessing of the Animals| October 6
The Blessing of Animals is an outdoor worship service held each year on the Sunday in October closest to the Feast Day of St. Francis. Last year, Duke Chapel ministers blessed animals ranging from hamsters to horses. The service is open to the public and all well-mannered pets are invited.
Spend Time With Your Best Friend
Between all the dog-friendly accommodations, parks, attractions, stores, dining and other things to do with your dog, Durham is a great place to have a pup. Discover the many dog-friendly places Durham has to offer!
Get Outside With These Free Activities
Because it’s finally not 100 degrees out. Here’s 22 things to do outdoors for FREE!
Watch a horror film at Carolina Theatre | Oct. 11-13
Splatterflix showcases 16 of the creepiest horror films during this weekend at Carolina Theatre.
Get Adventurous with these Awesome Hiking Trails
These six hiking destinations boast a diversity of trail lengths and features, perfect for an afternoon excursion.
Carve Pumpkins WITH BABY GOATS
Head to Spring Haven Farm to carve your pumpkins this year with baby goats jumping up on the tables around you, putting their cute little heads inside of hollowed out pumpkins, petting them, and feeding them. Tickets must be purchased online, not at the farm. Grab them now before they sell out!
Go Patio Hopping
Prime patio weather is finally upon us. Stay cool at 15 of the best patios and rooftop bars in Durham.
Learn the Science of Beer at the Museum of Life and Science | Oct. 17
Your favorite North Carolina brewers will serve up samples while scientists school you on the science behind beer making and drinking. In addition to exploring MLS’s 65,000 sq. feet of indoor hands-on exhibits, you’ll get to enjoy Gateway Park, Hideaway Woods, and Magic Wings Butterfly House.
Drink your way through unlimited samples at World Beer Festival | Oct. 19
Access into the Art of Beer Experience for beer ingredient samplings, pairings, educational seminars, a mini commercial brewery and more!
Take on Zombies at Xtreme Combat Park | Select dates in October
You’ll ride on a 40-foot military truck with mounted paintball guns to shoot at roaming zombies in the night, enjoy a zip line in the dark and face a challenge in a mini escape room.
Ride at Pumpkin Express at the Museum of Life and Science | Oct 6-27 (Weekends Only)
Pick the perfect pumpkin to decorate and take home, then enjoy crafts and a variety of carnival games before returning to the station. (Grab tickets because they will sell out!)
Experience Halloween the old-fashioned way at Duke Homestead’s Halloween Phantamagoria | Oct. 25
Explore historical concepts of Spiritualism, awe, and wonder from the 19th century at Duke Homestead. You are invited to wander the property to see what wonders you can find. This will be unlike any other Halloween experience you will have!
Appropriate for all ages. (No experiences are designed to scare!)
Cycle through Durham at the Bike-a-Bull City Fest | Oct. 26
Choose from three rides that all end at Durty Bull, followed by family-friendly celebrations!
Ticket or Treat on Ninth Street
Bring your kiddos in their best costumes on Halloween. Perfect for the little ones with an early bedtime.
Bring Your Pup to Barktoberfest | October 26
Head to Durham Central Park for an afternoon of doggone fun. Local celebrity judges will determine the winner of the costume contests, and you can enjoy treats from local food trucks and brewers while watching canine attendees show off their wooftastic tricks.
Hang with baby goats at the Goat Kid Festival | Oct 27
Just a short drive away in Rougemont, you can tour the 95-acre Prodigal Farm and milking parlor, play with the wee goats, meet the milking does, and taste nationally award-winning cheeses.
Celebrate Halloween at West Point on the Eno | Oct 31
Designed particularly for children ages 12 and younger, this special event features campfire stories and songs, hayrides, treats, crafts, games, and face painting. No need to register – just come out, rain or shine!
Get weird at the Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Ball | Oct 30 & 31
A fully-interactive, theatrical FX-driven, light show-blazing, fog-blowing, call-backing, costume-wearing, motion picture extravaganza at Carolina Theatre.
See the Moon up close at Bull Moon Rising | Oct. 31- Nov. 3
Open 24 hours a day, the breathtaking exhibit will be suspended over CCB Plaza, atop the watchful eye of Major the Bull, providing the closest look at the moon our city has ever seen.
Museum of the Moon will be home to numerous free events and performances for everyone to enjoy. The lineup includes a reading of “Goodnight Moon” by Mayor Steve Schewel, Paperhand Puppets Halloween-themed performance, a Bull Moon Ball at Unscripted Hotel, and a lot more.
Note: This list was updated September 2019. If you know of a festival or activity that should be included, please shoot a note to info@bestofthebull.com. (In order to maintain accuracy, the data below is constantly refreshed based on new information.)
Be sure to check out our complete guide to Durham this Fall including festivals, pumpkin patches, and Halloween celebrations.
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