Durham Happenings: July 2023
Independence Day, hot summer nights, and community events: July is chock full of happenings around town. While this month is often a time for traveling out of town on summer vacations, check out these local events and plan your own staycation in Durham full of fun activities.
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As a kickoff to summer, I wanted to share a two-month event being hosted by Durham Public Libraries: Dog Days of Summer Durham Hot Dog Crawl. This event began on June 26 th and runs through Sat, August 5 th , wherein you pick up a Hot Dog Tracker from the South Regional Library (or email Sara Gibson sgibson@dconc.gov for an electronic version) and then get a completion button for each hot dog location you visit. If you visit five or more locations, you’ll be entered into the final prize drawing for a 4- pack of Durham Bulls tickets! Some of the hot dog locations include Jimmy’s Famous Hot Dogs, King’s Sandwich Shop, and Bull City Burger. Get out there and grab yourself a dog this summer!
Independence Day/Weekend Activities:
Get your Fourth of July on a little early by kicking off Independence Day this weekend and keeping the celebrations going into the week. Several spots are offering weekend-only events, some are hosting events just on Tuesday July 4 th , and a few are offering both! Plan out your first few days of July by hitting up any or ALL of the experiences below.
Sat, July 1 st and Tues, July 4th, 10am – 6pm: Enofest at West Point on the Eno (5101 N Roxboro St, 27704)
The 44 th annual Enofest (formerly Festival for the Eno) is the largest outreach event for the Eno River Association, a non-profit protecting the Eno River basin. This family-friendly event offers performances, workshops, craft and food vendors, and educational outreach. Pick between attending Saturday or Tues, or get tickets to both dates! Discover Durham offers free youth (ages 5-17) tickets with the purchase of any adult ticket. Adult tickets cost $35, youth tickets are $10. Be sure to arrive early and park at Durham Memorial Stadium to take the shuttle over to the festival.
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Sat, July 1st, 10am through Tues, July 4th, 10pm: Red, White, and Brew at Glass Jug (RTP – 5410 Hwy 55, 27713; Downtown – 545 Foster St, 27701)
Both Glass Jug locations are celebrating all weekend long. Visit downtown or South Durham to get red, white, and blue slushies from Sat – Tues. The owners of Glass Jug will also be grilling up free hot dogs at the RTP location on Mon, July 3 rd and at the downtown spot on Tues, July 4th (conveniently just after the Children’s Parade ends!).
Sun, July 2 nd , 12 – 10pm: Independence Day Celebration at ZincHouse (6225 Wake Forest Hwy, 27703)
Explore the 87 acres of this newcomer to the Durham wine scene. The daylong celebration will consist of food trucks, live bands, and a 9pm firework extravaganza. Plus, you can enjoy the various beers and wines crafted by ZincHouse on site. This event is free to attend, just pay for your food and drinks.
Sun, July 2 nd , 4 – 9pm: Summertime Cookout on the Veranda at Motorco (723 Rigsbee Ave, 27701)
Celebrating Fourth of July a few days early, Motorco is hosting a summertime cookout on their new veranda. Fire roasted treats for purchase will include churrasco sliders, roasted chicken, veggie kabobs, and elote. Follow Veranda Durham on IG to see other upcoming dates for fire- roasted goodies outside Motorco.
Tues, July 4 th , 9am: Farm-to-Table Breakfast and Farm Tour at Jireh Family Farm (1310 N. Mineral Springs Rd, 27703)
Local, Black-owned family farm, Jireh Family Farm, is hosting a farm-to-table breakfast on the Fourth of July. Not only will you enjoy delicious, free-range eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, hashbrowns, and fried apples, but you’ll also be supporting the operations and upkeep of this farm. You can also enjoy a tour of the farm facilities where you’ll get to know the family as well as the animals that roam the property. Buy your tickets now for $35/each.
Tues, July 4 th , 9:30 – 11:30am: Children’s Independence Day Parade at Durham Central Park (501 Foster St, 27701)
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The longest standing event at Durham Central Park, the Children’s Independence Day Parade provides an opportunity for kids of all ages to participate in their own parade. Kids can decorate bikes, trikes, wagons, and strollers starting at 9:30am, then parade through the park at 10:30, followed by free popsicles, fire truck tours, and a DJ. This event is free and open to all! Don’t forget to swing by Glass Jug for slushies and free hot dogs at noon after.
Tues, July 4 th , 11am: Pickin’ on the Pond at Old Mill Farm (8913 NC Hwy 751, 27713)
Interested in a full day of bluegrass music, NC BBQ, farm animals, and summer beer? Check out Pickin’ on the Pond at Old Mill Farm in South Durham. Ticket options range from $12 general admission to $125 VIP 4-pack, with some packages including BBQ plates, booze, and Locopops. Kids can enjoy visiting with the goats on site while adults can kick back with some good food and enjoyable music.
Tues, July 4 th , 3 – 10pm: 4 th of July Cookout on the Roof at the Durham Hotel (315 E. Chapel Hill St, 27701)
Come enjoy a classic cookout with beautiful views of downtown from The Durham Hotel’s Roof. A la carte food options include Moonbelly Meat Co. brats, burgers, shrimp skewers, and more plus the bar will offer cocktails,
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Tues, July 4 th , 6:35pm: Durham’s July 4 th Celebration with the Bulls at Durham Bulls Athletic Park (409 Blackwell St, 27701)
City of Durham’s “official” Fourth of July celebration takes place at the end of the Durham Bulls game, which is against Norfolk Tides and starts at 6:35pm. At the end of the 7 th inning, gates to the ballpark will open for free viewing of the Durham Parks and Recreation fireworks display, which begins at 9:45pm. You can also watch the fireworks from behind Diamond View 3, Burt’s Bees, Tobacco Road Sports Café, and Ponysaurus. Most central downtown parking decks will cost $7 per car (credit card only), so plan your parking accordingly. Pro tip: Durham Bulls Athletic Park is hosting USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team on Mon, July 3 rd and will also have fireworks after the game if you want to celebrate on a less crowded (and more affordable) night.
Events Beyond Independence Day:
Once you get through the above series of events, we’re only 4 days into the month! And Durham has a ton of other events to keep you moving and grooving all month long.
Wed, July 5 th , 6:35pm: Bark in the Park at Durham Bulls Athletic Park (409 Blackwell St, 27701)
Back with the Bulls, this fourth of six Bark in the Park events takes place the day after Independence Day, so you don’t have to worry about your pup running for cover from the fireworks. Human tickets are only $10.50 and dog tickets are $5.50 per dog, all of which is donated to Second Change Pet Adoptions.
Fri, July 7 th , 6:30 – 10pm: PLAYlist Concert with Rissi Palmer at Durham Central Park (501 Foster St, 27701)
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Durham Central Park’s free concert series returns with “Southern Soul” Grammy nominee Rissi Palmer. In 2007, Palmer became the first African-American female to chart a country song since 1987 with “Country Girl,” so you know it’ll be a groundbreaking performance. Food trucks will be on site along with craft beer vendors.
Sat, July 8 th , 11am – 2pm: Duke READI Community Mural Unveiling at Research at Pickett Road (3024 Pickett Rd, 27705)
Duke’s Research Equity and Diversity Initiative (READI) is a research branch that engages community members and researchers together on projects to improve health and advance health equity. Want to learn more about READI and also see their new community mural unveiled? Plus enjoy some delicious food and great music while meeting local muralist Max Dowdle. The event is free, but registration is recommended.
Sat, July 8 th , 3 – 6pm: Durham Refugee Day at Durham Central Park (501 Foster St, 27701)
Come celebrate the contributions and cultures of our refugee and immigrant neighbors. At this free, family-friendly event, enjoy live music, performances, community education booths, kids’ activities, and food vendors from around the world.
Fri, July 14 th , 5 – 9pm: Summer Nights Market at ZincHouse Winery and Brewery (6225 Wake Forest Hwy, 27703)
In partnership with MAKRS Society, ZincHouse is hosting a night market series all summer long. The first event on the 14 th will host 35+ local vendors and food trucks. Plus there will be live music and wine/craft beer available for purchase from ZincHouse. Don’t worry: if you miss the market on the 14 th , it’ll be happening every Fri evening through August 11 th !
Sat, July 15 th , 11:30am – 7pm: The Raw Edition Candle Company Grand Opening (304 S Driver St, Unit 103, 27703)
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Clayton-based maker, Ticca Harris, is opening a brick and mortar shop for her business The Raw Edition Candle Company. Come see the ribbon cutting of this space in Old East Durham from 11:30am-12pm, then explore the candle pour bar, event space, and retail store while enjoying refreshments and giveaways from 11:45am – 1:30pm. The shop will stay open until 7pm for shopping and mingling and you can even make a reservation for a future candle making session while you’re there.
Sun, July 16 th , 11am – 1:30pm: Yoga and Brunch at Serenity Farm (13219 Boyce Mill Rd, 27703)
On a small boutique farm on the outskirts of East Durham near Falls Lake, you can find a monthly mini-retreat in the form of yoga and brunch. Serenity Farm hosts a 50-minute yoga class, outdoors weather permitting, followed by a 5-course organic brunch with complimentary mimosas. For a $97 price tag, it’s not a bad way to book some peaceful R&R this summer.
Thurs, July 20 th , 7:30pm: Crazy in Love StorySLAM at Motorco (723 Rigsbee Ave, 27701)
The Monti StorySLAM is an open storytelling event, kind of like an open mic for stories. The theme of this event is Crazy in Love, so eight storytellers will tell tales of the most complicated and universal of topics: love. The winner will qualify for The Monti GrandSLAM in early 2024, so be sure to hear these stories before they make it to the big time. Tickets cost $12 and the show is 18+.
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Thurs, July 20 th , 6:30 – 10pm: AfterHours Adult Summer Camp at Museum of Life and Science (433 W. Murray Ave, 27704)
Every couple of months, the typically child-focused Museum of Life and Science hosts 21+ events where adults get to experience a night at the museum (well, evening at least). The summertime Adult Summer Camp is a fan favorite as it transports adults back to their childhood days at camp, making friendship bracelets, roasting s’mores, and competing with friends in obstacle courses and donut-eating contests. Tickets cost $30 for members/$35 for non- members and beer/wine/food trucks will be available for purchase on site.
Sat, July 22 nd , 1 – 4pm: Book Harvest Block Party at Durham Bulls Athletic Park (409 Blackwell St, 27701)
The concourse of the Durham Bulls stadium will be filled with community groups, family-friendly entertainment, and free books for kids of all ages. Book Harvest’s Summer Block Party rounds up two dozen community agencies to showcase their services along with entertainment by Happy Dan the Magic Man and Poetry Fox. Children from infants to high schoolers can take home books for free, so come enjoy this free event celebrating reading!
Sat, July 22 nd , 1:30 – 5:30pm: The Streetery Splash and Play at Durham Central Park (501 Foster St, 27701)
Downtown Durham’s pandemic-era experiment to open up more options for fun by shutting down streets to cars for limited time and celebrating our community is back! The Streetery is hosting monthly events around various themes and July’s theme is Splash and Play. Take a break from the summer heat with water toys, games, and splash pads at Durham Central Park. This event is free and geared toward the young and young at heart.
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Sat, July 22 nd , 8:30 – 10:30pm: Rock the Park Outdoor Movie at Durham Central Park (501 Foster St, 27701)
After you enjoy splashing around in the street, grab a bite from a food truck (or nearby Durham Food Hall) and enjoy a free showing of Turning Red at Durham’s monthly outdoor summer movie. Bring your own chair or blanket and check out Disney/Pixar’s 2022 flick about a Chinese-Canadian 13-year-old who transforms into a giant red panda.
Sun, July 23 rd , 12 – 4pm: Cool Summer Field Day at Durham Central Park (501 Foster St, 27701)
The Glass Jug is hosting a field day fundraiser for Durham Central Park, a non-profit that operates what I call “Durham’s Living Room.” Bull City Inflatables and the Durham YMCA will be providing games for all ages and The Simple Joy will be performing live. There will also be food trucks and Glass Jug will have their mobile beer trailer. The event is free, but donations are encouraged and you can purchase your first drink in advance with an included donation to help speed up service.
Fri, July 28 th , 7:30 – 10pm: Swing Dancing with Nitelife Boogie at Moon Dog Meadery (1104 Broad St, Ste C, 27705)
Every Friday, Moondog Meadery hosts a dance night with a rotating selection of dance styles. Each evening starts with a dance workshop at 7:30pm and then a live band performs from 8- 10pm. On July 28 th , swing dancing takes the stage and swing band Nitelife Boogie will keep you bopping all night long. Also enjoy an array of craft beer, mead, and ciders from across the state.
Whether you’ll be dancing along to a band or splashing in the streets, be a tourist in your own town this summer and check out all of these incredible events Durham has to offer.
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(For more summer fun & ways to beat the heat, pop back to last month’s blog, Waterspots & Berry Picking!)
I’m Chrysti!
Durham real estate agent and enthusiast for all the best the area has to offer.
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