Habitat for Humanity ReStore Birthday Bash – Thursday-Friday, 10am-6pm – Celebrate seven years of building hope for local families by enjoying specific daily inventory discounts, raffles and birthday cake.
Lip Sync Battle – Thursday, 4:30-6:30pm – Enjoy food trucks and entertainment at this free epic battle hosted by Citizen Schools at The Frontier. Proceeds from the event will support the Citizen Schools program and students at several Durham schools.
Free Highlights Tour: Place and Identity – Thursday, 6pm – Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University guide Kate Newman leads this free tour that examines how artists use symbols, colors and appropriation to create a sense of place and identity in their works.
Back Porch Music on the Lawn: Balsam Range with Longleaf Pine Nuts – Thursday, 6pm – One of American Tobacco‘s Back Porch Music on the Lawn free concerts on the historic campus’ interior quad, enjoy these North Carolina bands. Beer and wine are available for purchase. Picnics, coolers and well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Movies on the Plaza – Thursday, 7:30pm – Bring a blanket and chair for the free screening of “Shrek” at Northgate Mall, and show up hungry for food and drink from Bull City Burger and Brewery.
5 by 5 – Thursday, 8pm – Five of the dance world’s most exceptional artists bring together solos, duets, quartets and more for an exhilarating performance, including a world premiere of “Carne Viva”, at Reynolds Industries Theater.
Improv Percolator – Thursday, 8pm – Three local theater organizations collaborate for a night of improv comedy at Common Ground Theatre.
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company – Friday, 8pm, and Saturday, 7pm – “Analogy: A Trilogy,” an American Dance Festival-commissioned world premiere, shows at Durham Performing Arts Center. The three stories in this trilogy ponder the nature of service, duty and the question of what is a life well lived.
Tea Cup Gin – Friday, 8pm – Enjoy an evening of authentic yet unconventional great American jazz tradition at Beyu Caffe from the members of this NC-based band.
Daniel Stark Quartet – Friday, 8pm – Saxophonist Daniel Stark performs at jazz club Sharp 9 Gallery with Ernest Turner on piano, Kenny Phelps McKeown on bass and Mike Ode on drums.
Durham Cinematheque: Making Art in the Universe – Friday, 9-11pm – Pollock, Keinholz, and Gross make art while you travel to the end of the known universe and back again. Enjoy real film under the stars in Durham Central Park. Bring your own chair or blanket. Plan to come early, bring a picnic, enjoy the twilight.
Super Secret Dance Party – Friday, 9pm-2am – This secret underground dance party returns to Arcana. Resident DJs Rang and Forge will keep you on your feet all night long.
Festival for the Eno – Saturday and Monday, 10am-6pm – Celebrate Independence Day with this longstanding community event, filling four stages with live music by more than 65 national and regional performers like Hiss Golden Messenger, John Dee Holeman and Kamara Thomas & the Night Drivers. Sunbathe on the banks of the river, share in local arts and craftwork, grab a bite and a brew from the beer garden, and enjoy the sweet sounds of summer.
Patchwork Market – Saturday, noon-4pm – Come out for a unique shopping experience of local makers and vintage vendors at Fullsteam Brewery.
Loud & Proud: Drag Show & Queer Dance Party – Saturday, 9pm – Drag and dance the night away in solidarity at The Pinhook.
Inaugural Heavenly Buffaloes Wing-Eating Competition – Sunday, 6pm – No pain, no gain at Dain’s Place. There’s no entry fee to sign up for the opportunity to feast your way to bragging rights and glory.
Beer & Hymns for Super Cooper’s Little Red Wagon Foundation – Sunday, 7:30-9:30pm – Join others in the community for a sing-along of the best-known, best-loved hymns at Fullsteam Brewery. All are welcome to sing along while enjoying local beer and live music led by founder Jesse DeConto of The Pinkerton Raid. In the words of Jesse: “Sing loudly, drink slowly and make friends.”
Children’s Independence Day Parade – Monday, 9:30am-11am – Bring the kiddos to celebrate the beginnings of our nation with this fun and patriotic parade at Durham Central Park. Come early to help your kids decorate bikes, big wheels, tricycles, wagons, even strollers with recycled materials from The Scrap Exchange. Parade starts at 10:30am. DJ Pittipat will be there and free fruit pops will be ready after the parade!
July 4th Picnic in the Park – Monday, 11am-3pm – This free event held by The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough at the beautiful River Park includes festivities of live music, food trucks and many kids activities and crafts, including colonial-style games.
July 4th on the Roof – Monday, 3pm-midnight – Treat yourself to house-made popsicles, beer and hot dogs from The Pig, and the amazing view at The Durham Hotel.
Durham Bulls Independence Day game – Monday, 6:05pm – The only thing more American than baseball is a game on the Fourth of July, where fireworks and fan food will be enjoyed by the masses. Come watch the Durham Bulls take on Syracuse at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
