Celebrate the 4th with the Bulls, jam out at Festival for the Eno, shop local makers at Patchwork market, bring your pup to Bark in the Park, and a lot more this July in Durham. Here are our top picks for this month.


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American Dance Festival

June 13 to July 20 | Buy tickets here

Heralded as “One of the nation’s most important institutions” by the New York Times and as “The world’s greatest dance festival” by the New York Post, the American Dance Festival’s sustained record of creative achievement is indivisible from the history of modern dance. Over five venues, ADF will stage 38 performances by 25 companies and choreographers, including three world premieres.

Photo: Ben McKeown

Childrens’ Independence Day Parade

July 4, 2019 @ 9:30 am to 11:30 am at Durham Central Park

Bring the whole family to Durham Central Park on the Fourth for the annual Children’s’ Parade! Decorate those bike, trikes, wagons, and strollers all welcome at 9:30 a.m., with items from The Scrap Exchange. The pavilion will be decorated with red, white and blue balloons. Then, parade through the park at 10:30. Following the parade, there will be free popsicles and fire truck tours. DJ Pittipat will be spinning tunes.

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40th Annual Festival for the Eno

July 4 & 6 | West Point on the Eno | Tickets: $11-$30

Be cool and stay cool on the shaded banks of the Eno River this Independence Day weekend at the 40th annual Festival for the Eno! Over 80 acts on 5 stages featuring the best contemporary and traditional entertainment from established and emerging artists. Craft beers, wines, and ciders at the North Coast Brewing Company beer garden. Local food trucks and vendors. Over 80 juried craft artists, and fun and engaging hands-on activities for the entire family. The Festival for the Eno 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. For more information about the Festival, visit our website: www.enofest.org

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Independence Day Celebration with Durham Bulls

July 4, 2019 @ 6:05 pm to 10:00 pm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Celebrate patriotism and civic pride with Durham Parks and Recreation, Durham Bulls, and USA Baseball! Attend the baseball game and enjoy a dynamic fireworks show following the game. Watch a USA Baseball Game at 6:05 p.m. and enjoy fireworks following the game at approximately 9:15 p.m. Tickets are required for the game, and are strongly encouraged for the fireworks show.

Gates will open for general admission at the end of the 7th inning based on availability for those that would like to view the fireworks show from inside the ballpark. Please note, viewing areas are limited outside of the ballpark. Purchasing tickets to the game is strongly encouraged and ensures a spot inside the Durham Bulls Athletic Park to watch the fireworks.

Viewing sites outside of the ballpark include: The grassy area behind Diamond View 3, Burt’s Bees – outside of the North Deck, and Tobacco Road Sports Café. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

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Views from The Durham 2019

July 8, 2019 @ 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm at The Durham Hotel

Stop by The Durham Hotel for guided constellation tours, music from DJ Mic Check, and celestial cocktail creations from the bar. This event is free and family friendly! 8-10pm

July 8 Views: Saturn (nearly) at opposition Saturn will be well placed for observation, in the constellation Sagittarius. It will be visible for much of the night, angled to show its northern hemisphere at this opposition. The rings will be inclined at an angle of 24° to our line of sight, which is almost the maximum inclination they can have. This means they will be very well presented.

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PLAYlist Concert Series: An Evening With Van Hunt

July 12, 2019 @ 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Durham Central Park

PLAYlist is a Free Concert Series celebrating summer every other Friday June 14-September 20. Food Trucks at 6pm. Music starts at 7pm.

Van Hunt, a Dayton, Ohio-born musician, made his way to Atlanta where he drew acclaim for his production efforts and crafty songwriting, featured on recordings by such diverse artists as Dionne Farris, Rahsaan Patterson Music, and Cree Summer as well as the platinum-selling soundtrack, Love Jones. His own self-titled debut album arrived in 2004, instantly establishing Hunt as a distinctive and original talent with its idiosyncratic melding of R&B, soul, funk, pop, and rock ‘n’ roll. Hunt received a 2005 “Best Urban/Alternative Performance” Grammy nomination for his breakthrough hit single, Dust that was featured on his debut album. In 2007, Hunt received a Grammy Award for “Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals,” honoring Family Affair, a collaboration with John Legend and Joss Stone found on the 2006 Sly & The Family Stone tribute album, Different Strokes.

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Third Friday Concert Series

July 19, 2019 @ 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Golden Belt Campus

Each Third Friday of the month head to Golden Belt Campus for a night of art, entertainment, food, and fun. This is FREE and open to the public.

Here is what you can expect: 6pm-9pm: Visit the Warehouse Studios and Durham Art Guild on display.

8pm-10pm: Enjoy the SummerStage music series.

July 19th – Naughty Professor (NoLa Jam)

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Pork, Pickles, and Peanuts

July 20, 2019 @ 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Duke Homestead State Historic Site

Celebrate North Carolina food culture and history! This extremely tasty event includes BBQ and Pie contests. Guests can taste the BBQ and pick a People’s Choice winner of their own. Venture back in time at the Duke House where costumed interpreters will demonstrate historical cooking methods. Live music and local vendors will also be present on the festival grounds!

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Pie Contest

Bark at the Park

July 24, 2019 @ 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Seriously, what’s better than watching the Durham Bulls with your pup and a cold beer in hand?! And the bonus is seeing all the other cute dogs.

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AfterHours: Adult Summer Camp at Museum of Life and Science

July 25, 2019 @ 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm at Museum of Life and Science

Adult Summer Camp Leave the kids at home this event is 21+ Take a journey back to your childhood summer camp experience: make friendship bracelets, hit the target with archery, race your friends to the top of our 28′ climbing wall, make s’mores, and create a perler bead masterpiece all while enjoying your favorite adult beverage.

Play in the treehouses or ride the train while sampling drinks and food that evoke your inner kid. Hideaway Woods, Farmyard, Butterfly House, and Train will be open for your enjoyment.

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Summer Patchwork Market

July 28, 2019 @ 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Durham Armory

FREE! & INDOORS! Shop over 60+ Handmade Makers at the Summer Patchwork Market! Are you interested in the identity and story behind the things you own or give as gifts, support your local maker by shopping at the Spring Patchwork Market. Small batch and one-of-a-kind goods meticulously crafted or found with thoughtfulness and care are available for purchase. Varying price points creates accessibility for all.

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Sensory Friendly Night with the Durham Bulls

July 28, 2019 @ 5:05 pm to 9:00 pm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park

The aim of this night is to provide children and families the chance to enjoy a night with the Bulls regardless of their sensory sensitivities.  There will be a sensory guide and social story for the ball park and a Sensory “Cool Down” area in one of the executive suites. Volume levels of speakers will be regulated and lowered. Sensory bags will also be available at the park for children and families. The Durham Bulls and Emerge welcome all children and families to attend and enjoy a fun night at the stadium! 

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Recurring weekly events this month

Saturdays

Free Yoga in the Park with Blue Point Yoga

Saturdays at the Foundry 8am-12pm

Durham Murals By Bike Tour

Sundays

Poolside Yoga with Global Breath Studio

Brunches Brew at Golden Belt Campus

Ponysaurus Brewing Co. Summer Movie Series

Tuesday

Storytime at Locopops

Wednesday

SuperJam Wednesday at Golden Belt Campus

Friday

Open Mic Stand-Up Comedy at Durty Bull

See the full events calendar here


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