Juneteenth and Father’s Day collide with a weekend packed full of performances, community festivals, dedications, drag shows, live music, poetry slams, championship frisbee and more. Celebrate Black history and culture across multiple stages and gathering spaces, honor the dads in your life at farm picnics and blending classes, or catch world-class contemporary dance and beloved podcasters live – plus so much more!
Compiled by Sharon Kinsella and Amanda MacLaren
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company – Thursday and Friday, 7:30-8:40pm – Two landmark works anchor this American Dance Festival program at Duke University‘s Page Auditorium. “Continuous Replay” – originally choreographed as a solo by Arnie Zane in 1977 and later revised by Bill T. Jones – builds 45 precise gestures into a cunningly complicated group work, now set to a newly commissioned string octet score weaving Beethoven motifs with recorded sound. “Story/” pairs a random menu of movement with Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14, letting music and motion negotiate their own conversation.
Jill Scott – Thursday and Saturday, 8pm – This three-time Grammy Award-winning singer’s “To Whom This May Concern” world tour comes to the Durham Performing Arts Center for two residency-style nights. Known for live performances that blend power, intimacy and authenticity, Jill brings a masterful live band and the warmth that has made her one of the most revered voices in music.
Hayti Juneteenth Weekend – Friday-Sunday – Three days of Black art, Black history and Black community unfold at Hayti Heritage Center across a rich and varied program. Friday brings Monét Noelle Marshall to the stage in her most personal solo work yet. Saturday features Camille A. Brown & Dancers performing “I Am” with live music drawn from traditions across the African Diaspora – co-presented with the American Dance Festival – plus the “Open Stu: Juneteenth Edition,” a living documentary experience of portraits, archival ephemera and a DJ. Sunday closes the weekend with the “Jambalaya Soul Slam: I-85 Lyric Soul Sunday,” a crowd-judged poetry competition with three rounds, one DJ and cash prizes.
Ashleigh Bakes Daily Grand Opening – Friday, 10am-11pm – Durham’s only bakery open until 11pm marks its Juneteenth grand opening at its new permanent storefront at 111 W. Main St., Ste. 201, graduating from the Downtown Durham Inc. incubator after selling more than 5,000 cookies in its first year. Try special Juneteenth-inspired cookie flavors, curated music and free cookies every hour throughout the day.
Juneteenth Observance Ceremony – Friday, 3-6pm – Catawba Trail Farm hosts a solemn and joyful commemoration rooted in land and memory. A walking procession led by African drummer Bashir Shakur moves to the gravesite, followed by a blessing of the land, led by Donnecia Brown, honoring those once enslaved on this property. Demonstrations of traditional foods – including Hoe-Cakes and Wojapi – weave together African American and Native American culinary history, alongside African drumming and dance, and spoken word.
Juneteenth at Hub RTP – Friday, 5-9pm – Hub RTP transforms into a block-party gathering space for an evening of live entertainment, dance and community. Hear sets by DJ Damu, the Bey Boys and Acisse Jay and the Gents, with dance performances by Stage Door Dance Productions and line dancing instruction throughout. Enjoy delicious bites from Hub RTP restaurants Cheeni RTP, Nanny Goat and Drift, plus a fleet of food trucks – and visit community and educational booths around the grounds.
Third Friday Durham Art Walk & Gallery Crawl – Friday, 5:30-9pm – Join Downtown Durham Inc. during this monthly exploration of the Bull City’s vibrant downtown arts scene. Start with a Juneteenth celebration and flag-raising ceremony hosted by Spectacular Magazine in CCB Plaza, along with Family Fest, Pierce Freelon‘s release concert for this debut children’s album, “Black Boy Glow,” and a family-friendly beat-making workshop. Then swing by 5 Points Gallery‘s opening reception for featured artist Susan Woodson, whose bold abstract paintings brim with color, texture and movement; enjoy a special Juneteenth-themed live set from DJ Bre at Durham Visitor Info Center while samping a trio of signature mocktails crafted by especially for the occasion by Eve Botanical Lounge; check out a new collage exhibition by Hillsborough-based artist Martin Molloy at Ment Beverage Co.; join Future Hooman‘s Flux & Drift party, “The Long Night,” featuring DJs, a “trippy exhibit space,” snacks, libations and a “Solstice Connection Experiment”; and view featured artists Shannon Morgan and Kay Faust‘s humorous collages and funky sewn and crocheted pieces, respectively, at The Artisan Market at 305.
Jean Bradley Anderson History Grove Dedication – Saturday, 10:30am-noon – Celebrate the legacy of one of North Carolina’s most influential historians and preservationists when the Museum of Durham History dedicates the Jean Bradley Anderson History Grove. Held just weeks after Jean’s 102nd birthday, the ceremony at the downtown museum will honor her lifelong contributions to documenting and preserving the history of Durham, Orange County and the Piedmont region, as well as her advocacy for protecting the Eno River. Jean will offer remarks during the dedication, and refreshments will be served. The new grove, featuring native plants, trees, seating and a commemorative marker, is the 19th established through the museum’s History Grove program and will eventually be relocated to West Point on the Eno following planned renovations.
2026 Premier Ultimate League Championship Weekend – Saturday, 10am & 3pm, and Sunday, 11am – Durham County Memorial Stadium hosts the PUL’s annual showcase of the best women’s and gender-expansive ultimate frisbee in the country. Saturday’s semifinals pit the Philadelphia Surge against the Atlanta Soul and the DC Shadow against Indy Red, with the championship final taking the field Sunday at 11am.
Freedom & Legacy Juneteenth Festival – Saturday, noon-3pm – Head to Lakewood Shopping Center for an outdoor celebration of Black history, freedom and community presented by Hayti Heritage Center. More than 50 vendors, local farmers and food trucks span the center alongside the Black Farmers’ Market and Coco Drip, with live music anchoring the afternoon.
Father’s Day Picnic & Tournament of Dads – Saturday, noon-4pm – Mystic Farm and Distillery rolls out the lawn for an afternoon featuring a dad pie-eating contest, beer chugging and a best dad joke competition, all in pursuit of declaring the “Winner of Dadness.” Cocktails, wine, beer and barbecue from Byrd’s BBQ are on hand, and a complementary bourbon tasting is included for all ticket holders.
Mean Habit / Razadan / COGS – Saturday, 6:30pm – The Pinhook hosts a bill led by Mean Habit, a queer, all trans/femme hardcore-inspired post-punk band from Carrboro whose seething, poetic songs reclaim sites of dehumanization while rallying for autonomy and love. Joining them are Razadan, a North Carolina trio drawing from Deafheaven, Black Midi and Waxahatchee, and COGS, a Durham three-piece playing anti-capitalist music designed to make you dance.
Pride Drag Show – Saturday, 7-9pm – The Glass Jug Beer Lab – Downtown turns its taproom into a Pride glitzy and glamorous celebration hosted by Miss B Haven, with performances from Fête D. Ville and Espi O’Najj. Sip craft brews and or try a cocktails made especially for the occasion.
Comedy Bang! Bang! Ground Beefing Tour – Saturday, 8pm – Host Scott Aukerman brings comedian and actor Paul F. Tompkins and the Comedy Bang! Bang! All-Stars to the Carolina Theatre for a fully improvised live version of the award-winning podcast. No script, no safety net – just the ensemble’s trademark absurdist chemistry playing out in real time in front of a live crowd.
Venetian Vespers Music – Saturday, 8-9:30pm – Experience an evening of soaring sacred music as Chorworks presents a traditional Vespers evening prayer service featuring Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces at Duke Chapel. Directed by Duke Chapel conductor-in-residence Philip Cave, the performance showcases talented early-career singers alongside soloists and period instruments. Highlights include psalm settings by Claudio Monteverdi and an eight-part Magnificat by Giacomo Carissimi, with appearances
Wienerfest 2026 – Sunday, 4-7pm – Celebrate the return of Wienerfest at Motorco‘s Parts & Labor! This third annual hot dog extravaganza features build-your-own dogs with more than 15 toppings; grilled all-beef, Carolina red hot and vegan options from Chef Mikey; a live DJ; and drinks out on The Veranda pop-up bar. Pre-order three hot dogs for $14 to secure your spot at one of Durham’s tastiest summer traditions.by Duke students, faculty and guest musicians.
For even more weekend fun, check out:
Flow Forward: Donation-Based Yoga at Durham Central Park – Thursday, 6:30pm
Juneteenth Tours at Historic Stagville – Friday, 9am-2:30pm
Durham Community Days at the Museum of Life and Science – Friday, 10am-5pm
Honoring Juneteenth In Our Courts at 500 Nelson St. – Friday, 12:30pm
Sacred Concertos and Motets at Duke University Divinity School‘s Goodson Chapel – Friday, 7-8pm
Boogie Down Broadway: A Singalong Dance Party at Motorco Music Hall – Friday, 7pm
Max Richter at DPAC – Friday, 8pm
Dirty South Juneteenth Celebration Party at The Pinhook – Friday, 10pm
Outdoor Pilates on the Lawn – A Juneteenth Wellness Experience at Historic Russell School lawn – Saturday, 8am
The Longest Day: A Summer Solstice Workshop at Fate & Folklore – Saturday, 10:30-11:30am
Building a Sustainable Creative Life at Durham County East Regional Library Meeting Room – Saturday, 11am-5pm
Muddy Paws Hike at West Point on the Eno Environmental Education Pavilion – Saturday, 11:30am-12:30pm
Juneteenth Art Quilt Workshop at Historic Stagville – Saturday, 12:30-3pm
Pride Guided Home Tour at the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice – Saturday, 1-2:30pm
Camille A. Brown & Dancers at Duke University‘s Reynolds Industries Theater – Saturday, 2pm and 7:30pm
Sweet Mama Stringbean: The Life & Times of Ethel Waters at North Carolina Central University – Saturday, 4pm, and Sunday, 3pm
Peak City Band – Beer Garden Concert Series at The Glass Jug Beer Lab – RTP – Saturday, 6-9pm
Get Out of My Dreams Sapphic Dream Club Pride Party at Arcana – Saturday, 9pm-1am
Debí Tirar Más Fiesta | The Bad Bunny Party at Motorco Music Hall – Saturday, 9:30pm
Street Fruit Drag + Dance Party at The Pinhook – Saturday, 10:30pm
The Rock & Roll Playhouse Father’s Day Bash for Grateful Dads at Motorco Music Hall – Sunday, noon
Father’s Day Bourbon Blending Class at Mystic Farm and Distillery – Sunday, 2-4pm
Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters at Duke University‘s Griffith Film Theater – Sunday, 7:15-9:30pm
Lip Critic / Flatwounds / Bejalvin at The Pinhook – Sunday, 8pm
For more community events and happenings, visit our online calendar.
