Free and cheap things to do in Durham–a list of upcoming events

POSTED BY
Jody Mace

Find all the free and cheap things to do in Durham, North Carolina. Free arts activities, concerts, kids’ stuff, movies and much more.

To start with, learn about some of the top attractions in Durham, and then scroll down for a day by day list (starting today) of free and cheap things to do in Durham.

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Top Durham Attractions

Learn about some of the top spots in Durham to find free and cheap things to do.

Museum of Life + Sciences

Museum of Life + Sciences is free for Durham County residents on many Community Days throughout the year.

Bennett Place Historic Site

Admission is free to visit Bennett Place Historic Site. It's where General Sherman and General Johnston met for talks, leading to the end of the Civil War.

Durham Farmers' Market

Durham Farmers' Market is in the heart of Downtown Durham, at Durham Central Park. It is open all year.

Golden Belt Campus

Golden Belt Campus is the site for free concerts, film, kids' activities and more, usually free.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Duke Gardens are considered among the best in the country. It's free to visit (but there's a charge for parking.)

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Upcoming free and cheap things to do in Durham

Sunday, September 26, 2021

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Live music from Duke Performances: Skylar Gudasz

6:30 pm | FREE | American Tobacco Campus

Thursday, September 30, 2021

2021 Summer Music Series

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, Durham

Beerthoven with Geneva Lewis

7:00 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Fullsteam Brewery, Durham

Friday, October 1, 2021

Taiji practice

9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Orchard Park, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

Live music from Duke Performances: The Veldt

6:30 pm | FREE | American Tobacco Campus

NCCU Choir performance

7:00 pm | FREE | Library Bowl, NCCU

PLAYlist Concert Series: Soul Understated Featuring Mavis Swan Poole

8:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park

Saturday, October 2, 2021

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

9:30 am to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

Leigh Farm History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Leigh Farm Park, Durham

Durham Murals by Bike tour

10:00 am | FREE | Major the Bull

Yoga at Hi-Wire Brewing

11:00 am | $5.00 | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt

Live music: Bob Keel

4:00 pm | FREE | Durty Bull Brewing Company, Durham

Drag Show

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00 | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt

Sunday, October 3, 2021

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

9:30 am to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

4th Annual Festival of Nations, presented by Sister Cities of Durham

11:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park

¡Habla Hour! Spanish - English Conversation Meet-Up

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | FREE | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt

Taste of Soul NC

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Taiji practice

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Orchard Park, Durham

Thursday, October 7, 2021

2021 Summer Music Series

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, Durham

Friday, October 8, 2021

Taiji practice

9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Orchard Park, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

9:30 am to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

Leigh Farm History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Leigh Farm Park, Durham

Downtown Durham Tobacco Heritage Walking Tours

10:00 am | FREE | Major the Bull

A Taste of Greece

11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

Yoga at Hi-Wire Brewing

11:00 am | $5.00 | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt

Pinehole Camera Workshop

12:30 pm to 4:30 pm | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

CiderJam

1:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Bull City Ciderworks

Hands On History: Graces

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

2021 Summer Music Series

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, Durham

Sunday, October 10, 2021

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

9:30 am to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

A Taste of Greece

11:00 am to 7:00 pm | FREE | St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Fun Caravan with Durham Parks and Recreation

9:30 am to 11:00 am | Forest Hills Park, Durham

Taiji practice

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Orchard Park, Durham

Durham Silent Book Club

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Bull City Ciderworks

Thursday, October 14, 2021

2021 Summer Music Series

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, Durham

Friday, October 15, 2021

Taiji practice

9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Orchard Park, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

Third Friday Durham

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Durham City Center

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

9:30 am to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

Leigh Farm History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Leigh Farm Park, Durham

Downtown Durham Civil Rights History Walking Tour

10:00 am | FREE | Major the Bull

Oktoberfest at Beer Study Durham

11:00 am to 11:30 pm | FREE | Beer Study Durham

Yoga at Hi-Wire Brewing

11:00 am | $5.00 | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt

Family Saturday Series: Casey Nees, Muggle Magic

11:00 am | $5.00 | Carolina Theatre, Durham

Live music: Brianna Tam

7:00 pm | FREE | Bull City Ciderworks

Sunday, October 17, 2021

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

9:30 am to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

Thursday, October 21, 2021

2021 Summer Music Series

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, Durham

Friday, October 22, 2021

Taiji practice

9:00 am to 10:00 am | FREE | Orchard Park, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

LIFE Skills Foundation Blues and Brews Benefit Concert

6:00 pm to 8:30 pm | $15.00 | Durham Athletic Park

Saturday, October 23, 2021

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

9:30 am to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

Leigh Farm History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | Leigh Farm Park, Durham

Downtown Durham Architecture and Urban Landscapes Walking Tour

10:00 am | FREE | Major the Bull

Yoga at Hi-Wire Brewing

11:00 am | $5.00 | Hi-Wire Brewing at Golden Belt

Barktoberfest in Durham Central Park

3:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Durham Central Park

2021 Summer Music Series

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | The Glass Jug Beer Lab, Durham

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Pumpkin Patch Express at Museum of Life + Science

9:30 am to 4:30 pm | $15.00 | Museum of Life+Science, Durham

West Point History Tour

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE | West Point on the Eno, Durham

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