How it started

It all began with an idea about community

Organized by local entrepreneurs JD (Beer Study) and Matt (Durty Bull), the Drink Durham Beer Festival is a day-long event that combines beer, music, art, and food trucks. 100% of the proceeds raised go to the CNOTE Foundation, an organization that provides scholarship funds to North Carolina Central University.

Collaboration

The Drink Durham Festival provides a stage for musicians and artists bridging multiple genres of their crafts

Matt and JD created the festival as a way of fostering community in Durham. The intention was to attract a wide audience with accessible ticket pricing and a buy-as-you-go sales model. In addition to 45+ breweries showcased, there will be art vendors, food trucks, and music. The purpose is to have an indirect impact on the businesses located downtown; the hope is to bring in people located out of town that will hopefully be spending the entire weekend visiting Durham.

Durham native, international recording artist Joshua Gunn, who in 2019 co-founded Provident1898, is arranging a unique array of music acts spanning multiple genres, all from North Carolina (and many from Durham). We anticipate that artists will be able to grow their normal audience by getting in front of many new potential followers and playing to a large and diverse audience..

Shop Durham is the best way to discover local, independent businesses and get rewarded for supporting them. The Shop Durham Market features local, independent Durham retailers and craft producers and their products. Find everything from handmade goods to local art to one-of-a-kind gifts.