This weekend head to World Beer Fest, Bull City Race Fest, Happy Hour with Mayor Steve Schewel, Harvest Festival at Duke Gardens, and Fright Night with Bull City Laughs. Here’s 30+ things to do this weekend in Durham.
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Thursday, October 17
Draft + Can Release: “Rad Banjo” Hazy IPA

October 17, 2019 @ 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Durty Bull Brewing Company
Our next Hazy IPA: “Rad Banjo,” is hopped with Citra, Ekuanot Cryo, & Idaho 7, and is available on draft and in cans on October 17th.
And don’t miss the Durty Three Year Anniversary on October 19th – we’ll be releasing a double Hazy IPA called “300 Jeans” (draft + can), tapping our 16 month barrel-aged Brett Quad, and bringing back the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Blackberry Sour, among other small batch and experimental brews!
AfterHours: Science of Beer
October 17, 2019 @ 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm at Museum of Life and Science
Leave the kids at home this event is 21+ 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 our 65,000 sq. feet of indoor hands-on exhibits, you’ll get to enjoy Gateway Park, Hideaway Woods, and Magic Wings Butterfly House. To top it off, all money raised from this event will benefit our conservation and education initiatives that help inspire lifelong learning.
COFFEE AFTER DARK
October 17, 2019 @ 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at Nolia: Family + Coffee
Durham’s Premiere Business Mixer Get the connections, resources, and tools you need to take your business venture to the next level at “COFFEE AFTER DARK”. You’ll be networking with the movers and shakers from Durham’s thriving business scene. This is the ideal event for entrepreneurs, investors, community organizers, and thought leaders.
Dirty White Matter: Art + Recorded Interviews + Group Discussion

October 17, 2019 @ 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at The Mothership
DIRTY WHITE MATTER community discussion events use art + recorded interviews + group discussion to critically discuss whiteness and femininity. Participants will be invited to manipulate materials that visually represent harmful ideas of whiteness and white femininity. While we work, we’ll listen to recorded interviews with women of color or white women discussing their experiences with whiteness. Afterward, we’ll discuss as a group. **EVERYONE IS WELCOME, no matter your gender, race, etc… POC who attend have the option to listen to the conversation and do not have to speak unless they want to. White folks who attend are compassionately encouraged to participate in the conversation.** Events happen every 3rd Thursday from 7-9p at The Mothership (401 W. Geer St) (starting October 2019)
Friday, October 18
Fall Home School Day at Stagville
October 18, 2019 @ 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Historic Stagville
Purchase tickets in advance for the October 2019 Home School Day at Stagville State Historic Site! Historic Stagville invites all home school students to a day of hands-on educational activities for all ages. Students will get to participate in these activities, not just watch. Plus, all of our historic structures will be open to tour all day.
Happy Hour No. 25 at Vert & Vogue with Mayor Steve Schewel

October 18, 2019 @ 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Vert & Vogue
Please join us for Happy Hour at Vert & Vogue, as part of Third Friday Durham. This month, V&V is excited to host Mayor Steve Schewel! For more than forty years Steve Schewel has championed a progressive and inclusive Durham. Come out to hear about his journey from introducing the first alternative weekly paper to the region to founding a music festival to leading as the mayor. As always, tickets are free and drinks are on the house.
Fright Night
October 18, 2019 @ 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Rock Quarry Park
Calling all of Durham’s ghosts and ghouls! DPR will host a fall event for all ages including carnival games, a costume parade, hay ride, and for those who love a fright, a haunted trail! We will be collecting canned goods to donate to a local food pantry. Please consider bringing a can or two! This is a free drop-in program for all ages!
Monster Mash Glow Night

October 18, 2019 @ 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm at TreeRunner Raleigh
Come join us for a party of spooky proportions! We will have classic monster mash games including a mummy wrap, Halloween Fear Factor eating challenge, Tarantula Toss and other fun party games.
PUMPKINS AND PINTS
October 18, 2019 @ 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Bull City Ciderworks
Pumpkin-decorating fundraiser presented by A La Mode Parties and hosted by Bull City Ciderworks Join us at Bull City Ciderworks for a night of fun pumpkin decorating! Bring a date, the family, or some friends for an evening of pumpkin carving or painting at Bull City Ciderworks. Pumpkins, carving tools, paint, and other supplies provided.
Third Friday in Durham!
October 18, 2019 @ 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Discover Durham
Immerse yourself in the arts at Discover Durham’s Third Friday pop-up party! This month, we’ve partnered with Durham Beat, a local arts & culture publication, to bring you an interactive local art experience. Work with artist Mark Hanley to screen print your own Durham shirt or poster! You can create your print on the provided paper or bring in your own t-shirt and have it printed for free. Mark will have additional t-shirts and his own prints available for purchase. Paint a mini canvas with Leitner Studios. Founder & artist Justin Leitner will work with you to create a design. Or, for a small fee, he’ll have a pre-made Bull City stencil available for use.
Third Friday Concert Series
October 18, 2019 @ 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Golden Belt Campus
Each Third Friday of the month join us for a night of art, entertainment, food and fun. This is FREE and open to the public.
Parties For The Park: Treat Your Sweet Tooth on the Roof!
October 18, 2019 @ 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm at Church+Main Condominiums
Enjoy a delicious array of sweets, dessert wines and coffees on the Church+Main Rooftop in the heart of downtown with its 360 views of Durham! After your Friday dinner at one of downtown’s finest, save room for mouthwatering desserts prepared by Loaf, Lucky’s Deli and Rose’s Noodle, Dumplings & Sweets. Dessert wines provided compliments of D B Sutton & Co Wine Shop and coffees served courtesy of 4th Dimension Coffee.
Saturday, October 19
Free E-Waste & Textile Recycling, Paper Shredding Event
October 19, 2019 @ 8:00 am to 2:00 pm at Durham County Memorial Stadium
Durham residents looking for an easy and free way to recycle electronic waste (e-waste) and old textiles and clothing as well as shred confidential documents should attend the City of Durham’s E-Waste, Textile Recycling and Paper Shredding event. The City’s Solid Waste Management Department is hosting this free event on Saturday, October 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Durham County Memorial Stadium on the home side parking lot, located at 750 Stadium Dr. Staff will be on hand to assist with unloading old electronics, paper, and textiles.
Durham Craft Market
October 19, 2019 @ 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at Durham Craft Market
The Durham Craft Market is made up of a wide variety of high quality, affordable arts and crafts. Everything at the Market is handcrafted by and being sold by the person who made it!
Yoga with Art
October 19, 2019 @ 9:30 am to 10:30 am at Global Breath Studio
STRETCH your horizons at 21c Museum Hotel Durham’s weekly series from 9:30-10:30am. BYOM (bring your own mat) for Yoga with Art. Flex those creative muscles as you work through a variety of poses in our gallery spaces.
Tobacco Basket Workshop
October 19, 2019 @ 9:30 am to 2:30 pm at Duke Homestead State Historic Site
This popular event is back!! Love the look of vintage tobacco baskets? Make your own chic version in this workshop with artist and maker Nancy Duffie. Fee includes instruction and all materials.
Durham Civil Rights Walking Tour
October 19, 2019 @ 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Preservation Durham
Explore Durham’s Civil Rights Legacy with PD’s walking tour. This exciting tour focuses on many of the sites in downtown Durham that were important during the 1950s and 60s Civil Rights movement, including the Durham County Courthouse, the Arts Center (originally Durham High School and later City Hall), the Kress and Woolworth buildings, sites of sit-in protests and the “Confronting Change” exhibit at the Carolina Theatre.
Making Moves Fitness Series
October 19, 2019 @ 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Golden Belt Campus
One Saturday per month we “Make Moves” with our fitness series. This is free and open to the public.
Hub Farm Fall Fest
October 19, 2019 @ 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Durham Public Schools Hub Farm
Come join us for a day of Fall fun at the Hub Farm! We’ll have several food vendors, gourd painting, tree climbing in our woods, boating on the pond, tours around the property, a farm stand with Hub Farm produce for sale, and a few demonstrations in our brand new apiary! All ages of humans are welcome, but unfortunately, we cannot accommodate pets because of our own livestock. Of course, service animals are welcome.

World Beer Festival
October 19, 2019 @ 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
No excuse NOT to come! Join us on October 19, 2019 to celebrate 25 years of great beer. World Beer Festival Durham will feature a sampling of local, national and international breweries. And if the beer isn’t good enough, our 2019 will feature great food, music and making memories with friends!
Carving Pumpkins with Goats
October 19, 2019 @ 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Spring Haven Farm
Welcome to the most popular event of the entire year at Spring Haven Farm! Saturday October 12th – 13th and 19th – 20th and 26th and 27th 12:00pm to 4:00pm. And we just opened more dates during weekdays the 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th. The farm will be full of Pumpkins, fall fun and spooky decorations! Come and meet all the animals like Peppa pig Annie the Donkey and Huck the Horse.
Third Anniversary Beermosa Slushies

October 19, 2019 @ 12:00 pm to 2:00 am at Durty Bull Brewing Company
Join us during our Third Anniversary Party for small batch & special beer releases, alongside beermosa slushies made with our Key Lime Gose and Piña Colada Wheat Ale.
Food by Anatolia Grill (12-10 pm) and The Dankery (all day long). Live music by four different local musicians, and we’re topping the night off with Cult Your Nights Burlesque: Foreign Culture! (10 pm). Grab a slushie and take a trip to the tropics, before embarking on the journey curator, Jo Rose, has in store for all of us during this burlesque installment.
Durty Bull 3rd Anniversary Party!

October 19, 2019 @ 12:00 pm to 2:00 am at Durty Bull Brewing Company
On Saturday, October 19th, we’re celebrating three years of Drinking Durty, and we want all of you to party with us.
Come out to the brewery for a full day of beer, food, art, and fun, including live & local music, small batch brews, burlesque, and adoptable friends from The Animal Protection Society of Durham. The Dankery will be serving up Dank Trays all day, and Anatolia Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine will be on-site from noon-10 pm.
Right at noon, we’re tapping a brand new Hazy Double IPA that you don’t want to miss: “$300 Jeans,” is hopped with tons of Galaxy and Mosaic and canned in 4-packs, so you can take some home with you. Followed by small batches from our brewer’s stash, and one very special vintage: the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Blackberry Sour Ale (tapping at 4 pm!), we’ve got a full line-up of delicious brews in store for you. Be sure to stick around until 6 pm for a taste of our 16 month barrel-aged 12.8% Brett Quad. Key Lime Margarita Beermosa and Piña Colada Beermosa Slushies available all day long.
Kerry Long Music is kicking off the celebration, with a performance from 12:30-2:30 pm, followed by Jim DiBattista – live! (3-5), JB Boxter (5:30-7:30), and The River Otters (8-10) will be opening up for the night’s Foreign Culture burlesque show, curated by aerialist performer JoRose.
This is one party you don’t want to miss.
RSVP and invite your friends.
Cheers to three years!
Autumn Vibes with DJ ClaSICK
October 19, 2019 @ 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at The Patio at Unscripted
Come relax on the Patio while DJ ClaSICK lays the soundtrack to a perfect fall Saturday. 1-5pm, free, 21+
Knit the Throwback Cardigan
October 19, 2019 @ 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Freeman’s Creative
Get comfortable with colorwork while knitting the Throwback Cardigan! This classic design knits up quickly in worsted weight yarn, and covers the basics of knitting multiple colors. Students should be comfortable casting on, knitting, and purling, and familiar with increases and decreases.
Jim DiBattista – live!

October 19, 2019 @ 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Durty Bull Brewing Company
Jim DiBattista Music is back at Durty Bull in October. Catch his next acoustic rock show during the Durty Bull 3rd Anniversary Party! on Saturday, October 19th.
Sounds of the Studio with Wiley Fosters Hip Hop Instrumental Quartet
October 19, 2019 @ 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at Unscripted Durham
Join Unscripted for Live music each Saturday in the Studio from 5:30-7:30. Rotating performances will include hip-hop instrumental, jazz harp trio, vocal percussion. This week: Wiley Fosters Hip Hop Instrumental Quartet. All small plates are buy one get one free. Free parking with that night’s F&B purchase; must show receipt.
Beer Release: Barrel-Aged Brett Quad

October 19, 2019 @ 6:00 pm to 2:00 am at Durty Bull Brewing Company
Cheers to three years! Help us celebrate our third year of Drinking Durty by joining us for a day of live & local music, burlesque, food trucks, and small batch & special beer releases.
Our Brett Quad has been patiently aging in the barrel room since last summer, and we’re finally ready to crack it open and share it with you all. Tapping at 6 pm!
Fright Night with Bull City Laughs
October 19, 2019 @ 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Bull City Laughs
Come Laugh and Explore the Bull City the Haunted Way! BYOB! Comedy, History, Music …. Good Times! Costumes are Optional
Cult Your Nights: Foreign Culture/ Durty Bulls 3rd Anniversary Burlesque

October 19, 2019 @ 10:00 pm to 1:00 am at Durty Bull Brewing Company
Wilkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome to Foreign Cult Your Night! Celebrating Durty Bulls 3rd Anniversary!!!
Sunday, October 20th
2019 Bull City Race Fest and Food Truck Rodeo
October 20, 2019 @ 7:30 am to 11:30 am at American Tobacco Campus
Be part of the 7th Annual Bull City Race Fest and Food Truck Rodeo showcasing historic, downtown Durham on Sunday, October 20, 2019. This festival has something for the fastest runners and families alike. Choose from half-marathon, five-mile and one-mile distances and enjoy a fall morning of running and post-race food.
Yoga with Art
October 20, 2019 @ 9:30 am to 10:30 am at Global Breath Studio
STRETCH your horizons at 21c Museum Hotel Durham’s weekly series from 9:30-10:30am. BYOM (bring your own mat) for Yoga with Art. Flex those creative muscles as you work through a variety of poses in our gallery spaces. S
Brunches Brew
October 20, 2019 @ 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Golden Belt Campus
Brunches Brew is our weekly jazz jam brunch hosted by Alan Thompson (Zoocru, sax). Each Sunday grab a seat on the lawn and enjoy good vibes, food trucks and a cold brew from Hi-Wire. This event is FREE.
Sunday Funday at Pour!
October 20, 2019 @ 12:00 pm to 12:00 pm at Pour Taproom
Come enjoy games, coloring, food and drinks at Pour Taproom on Sunday. Kids eat free all-day and everyone is welcome! Bring the whole crew for a family-friendly environment to end your weekend!
Carving Pumpkins with Goats
October 20, 2019 @ 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Spring Haven Farm
Welcome to the most popular event of the entire year at Spring Haven Farm! Saturday October 12th – 13th and 19th – 20th and 26th and 27th 12:00pm to 4:00pm. And we just opened more dates during weekdays the 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th. The farm will be full of Pumpkins, fall fun and spooky decorations! Come and meet all the animals like Peppa pig Annie the Donkey and Huck the Horse.
Harvest Festival
October 20, 2019 @ 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Sarah P. Duke Gardens
Celebrate the fall season in the Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden. Activities for all ages will be led by Duke Gardens and other local groups. – Plant a seed to take home and learn about other seeds to plant in the fall – Taste tropical produce from around the world – Learn about chickens, carnivorous plants, composting and bees – Get a free children’s book from Durham’s Partnership for Children and read it in the story circle – Make a corn necklace and hear a seasonal story from Lumbee cultural educator Ryan Dial-Stanley – Play with mud – and more! This is a free drop-in event, though parking fees apply. Adult chaperone required for children.
Make Shift Happen: A Pop Up Party to Help Make Durham Greener

October 20, 2019 @ 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at The Durham Hotel
Join us in the lobby Sunday 10/20 for Make Shift Happen, where Durham organizations who work towards a more sustainable city will share easy, actionable tips to reduce waste, conserve the Durham ecosystem, and have fun doing it. Come out for make-and-take crafts with Spoonflower and Scrap Exchange, composting and oyster shucking demonstrations, and meet-and-greets with local wildlife, and you’ll leave inspired to make small changes that make a big difference. While you’re here, enjoy $1 oysters from Locals Seafood and cocktails made with ingredients that would typically be wasted. Bring your own cup for free Counter Culture drip coffee from the Coffee Shop at The Durham, and come early as the first 100 guests can receive a complimentary packaging-free bar soap from Fillaree. Presented in partnership with Greener Durham. Participating organizations:
- Spoonflower creates on-demand, custom-designed textiles through a novel printing process that conserves water. They’ll show us how to make reusable beeswax food wraps from fabric scraps.
- Locals Seafood brings fresh North Carolina seafood from the coast to the triangle every week. They’ll show us how to shuck oysters (a top sustainable choice) and will share information on the importance of water quality and how to choose sustainable seafood.
- New Soil Worm Composting encourages you to dramatically reduce your household waste through the easy act of composting (and grow pollinator-friendly plants with your homemade organic fertilizer!). New Soil will show off a barrel of their red wiggler worms which help speed things up.
- Bike Durham promotes policies and education that empower the people of Durham to bike and walk more. They’ll share tried-and-true bike routes to get you cycling.
- Don’t Waste Durham works to prevent trash in Durham through their Green to Go reusable takeout container service and local policy work. They’ll have locally-made reusable products like cutlery sets and produce bags for sale.
- Piedmont Wildlife Center encourages our community to develop a lifelong connection with nature and to support conservation of natural wildlife habitat. They’ll bring some of their rescued animals for us to meet, like a turtle, dove, snake, and raptor.
- Fillaree makes zero-waste, refillable soaps and cleaning products now featured in guest rooms at The Durham Hotel and will give away 100 complimentary packaging-free bar soaps.
- Scrap Exchange promotes creativity through the reuse of objects that would traditionally be thrown out. They’ll lead us in a craft.
- Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association works to restore and protect the land within our watershed and advocates for our most vital natural resource: water. They’ll have info on the animals and plants that are native to Ellerbe Creek as well as tips on how to make your home and yard “CreekSmart.”
- The Coffee Shop at The Durham now offers a $0.25 discount when you bring your own cup (#byoc). Forgot your cup? Purchase a disposable cup for $0.25, with proceeds going to Eno River Association. Bring your own cup to this event for free Counter Culture drip coffee.
Strawberry cider mimosas + Cider tasting
October 20, 2019 @ 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at The Oak House Durham
Its NC Cider Week! Come swing by The Oak House for Strawberry Cidermosas and a cider tasting of seasonal ciders from Botanist & Barrel. 2-3pm
Parties For The Park: Durham Trivia Night at Fullsteam Brewery
October 20, 2019 @ 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Fullsteam Brewery
Brush up on your Durham history (or find some knowledgeable friends) for a special themed trivia night at Fullsteam! Winners will get a private, guided beer-tasting featuring some brewery favorites. Teams should be no more than six players. This is event is part of the Parties for the Park fundraising events which raise money for Durham Central Park.
Cupcakes & Cider
October 20, 2019 @ 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Bull City Ciderworks
Join us on Sunday, October 20th OR Tuesday, October 22nd for CUPCAKES and HARD CIDER – Teaming up with Smallcakes Durham to bring you a flight of 4 hand crafted ciders masterfully paired with 4 AMAZING mini cupcakes!!
Open Mic with DL ZENE
October 20, 2019 @ 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Unscripted Durham
DL ZENE and her band host Durham’s newest, most exciting open mic – 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. All creatives welcome: sign up when you arrive and show Durham what you got. This Sunday: $3 Fullsteam drafts!
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