The inaugural

Durham FRINGE Festival

sets the city as the stage this fall!

0 Artists
(Durham-native, -living and/or -working artists)
0 Venues
(All in downtown Durham)
0 Days
(All in downtown Durham)

Durham FRINGE Festival FAQs

October 30 through November 8, 2026

Durham FRINGE brings more than 50 Durham-based artists to more than 20 downtown venues over 10 days. Use the festival schedule to choose events, confirm the location and run time, and determine whether a ticket is required. Ticketed events are sold through the Carolina Theatre of Durham; events marked Free and Open to the Public do not require a paid ticket.

For lodging, dining, and general information on visiting or attending in Durham, North Carolina, please visit: Durham, NC Things to Do, Hotels, Events, Dining & Vacation Guide | Discover Durham

Planning your FRINGE experience

Durham FRINGE brings more than 50 Durham-based artists to more than 20 downtown venues over 10 days. Use the festival schedule to choose events, confirm the location and run time, and determine whether a ticket is required. Ticketed events are sold through the Carolina Theatre of Durham; events marked Free and Open to the Public do not require a paid ticket.

For lodging, dining, and general information on visiting or attending in Durham, North Carolina, please visit: Durham, NC Things to Do, Hotels, Events, Dining & Vacation Guide | Discover Durham

About the Festival

Durham FRINGE is a citywide celebration of experimental, interdisciplinary, and distinctly-Durham performing arts. The inaugural festival features dance, theater, live music, clowning,  comedy, poetry, puppetry, visual art, literary art, and interactive experiences created by Durham-based artists.

The festival runs Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 8, 2026.

Events take place at more than 20 venues across downtown Durham, including galleries, performance spaces, restaurants, bars, retail locations, green spaces, and other unexpected sites. Always check the individual event listing for the correct venue and address.

No. The Carolina Theatre of Durham created and presents the festival, but performances and installations will take place throughout downtown Durham rather than inside the Carolina Theatre.

Visit durhamfringefestival.org for the daily schedule, full project descriptions, locations, run times, and ticket links. Because events take place throughout downtown, review the location and travel time before planning consecutive events.

Tickets and Free Events

Select the purchase link in the listing for the event you want to attend. All ticketed Durham FRINGE events are sold through the Carolina Theatre of Durham.

Each schedule listing identifies either a ticket purchase link or the words Free and Open to the Public. If a listing includes a purchase link, a ticket is required. If it is marked Free and Open to the Public, there is no admission charge.

Free events do not require a ticket or registration. Please check the individual event listing before attending if registration is added at a later date.

Tickets are connected to specific performances, dates, and times. Purchase or select each ticketed event individually. For this inaugural year, there are no festival passes available.

One hundred percent of the base ticket price goes directly to Durham FRINGE artists. Any separately disclosed taxes or ticketing fees are not part of the base ticket price.

Yes. Many FRINGE works take place in intimate or unconventional venues with limited capacity. Advance purchase is recommended for ticketed events. Free events may also reach the capacity limit of their venues, so it’s a good idea to arrive at least 15 minutes before the performance start time.

FRINGE tickets will be available for sale online and at the FRINGE Lounge located at 113 Orange Street, Durham, NC 27701. A Festival Front-of-House Representative will check e-tickets at the door in addition to having a Will Call list available.

For ticketed events, bring your ticket confirmation and the name used for the order. A Box Office Representative and Festival FOH Representatives will be on-site for events.

Planning Your Visit

Plan to arrive early enough to locate the venue and complete check-in before the listed start time. FRINGE venues vary in layout and may have limited lobby or waiting space. Event-specific arrival guidance will appear in the listing or ticket confirmation when applicable.

All of Durham FRINGE venues are accessible to people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices. For more detailed information, please see the Venues page on durhamfringefestival.org to visit the venue’s direct website.

Please send general accessibility inquiries or accommodations requests to [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the performance or installation of interest.

Run times vary. Many performances are approximately 10 to 60 minutes, while installations may offer longer drop-in hours. Review the Schedule page on durhamfringefestival.org for specific run-time details per performance or installation.

Absolutely! Multiple events take place each day. Allow enough time to exit one venue and travel to the next; FRINGE events are spread across downtown Durham rather than located in one building.

The festival includes experiences for a range of ages, but not every event is intended for every audience. Review each project description for age recommendations, content warnings, or adults-only notices. If no guidance is listed and you have questions, please contact [email protected].

Offerings and policies vary by venue. Some events take place in restaurants or bars, while others do not permit food or beverages in the performance area. Check the venue information and follow on-site instructions.

Unless previously organized with the FRINGE producer, presenter, or artist, recording of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Check @durhamfringenc on Instagram for the latest schedule information. Weather-related changes, delays, relocations, or cancellations will be shared through this festival channel as soon as possible once a weather call is made.

Accessibility and Venue Information

Yes. All Durham FRINGE Festival venues are ADA accessible. For details about a particular location, visit the Venues page at durhamfringefestival.org and select that venue’s logo to open its webpage.

Please send general accessibility inquiries or accommodations requests to [email protected] at least two weeks prior to the performance or installation of interest.

Use the festival’s Venues page and the individual venue’s webpage for location-specific information. Because events take place across downtown Durham, parking and entrance arrangements will differ by location.

Some FRINGE projects invite audiences to move through a space, participate, stand, or experience the work from multiple perspectives. The project description will explain the format when relevant. On-site staff can also help you understand what participation is optional and how to experience the work comfortably.

Changes and Assistance

Live-event details may change. Confirm the date, time, location, and status on durhamfringefestival.org before leaving for the event, especially for outdoor programs.

Send Durham FRINGE Festival inquiries to [email protected].

For questions about ticketing, an existing ticket order, and/or accessibility, please send your inquiry to [email protected].

Thank You To Our Corporate & Foundation Partners

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Stay up-to-date with all things FRINGE Festival by joining the Carolina Theatre email list. Receive updates on the schedule and line-up as they evolve.