5 Free Things to Do at Duke in February 2026

Warm up with acclaimed documentaries, meaningful music and thought-provoking lectures

Five photos on a blue background

Campus life at Duke will be in full swing in February as there will be a full slate of lectures, musical performances and films worth checking out for free.

Each month during the academic year, the Working@Duke editorial team searches the Duke Events Calendar to find five free things to do at Duke. The selections highlight the wide range of activities and programming available to community members. Check back in March for the next batch of events.

Feb. 5 – Full Frame Road Show

The Full Frame Road Show will bring the acclaimed documentary “Mr. Nobody Against Putin” to the Cary Theater. Admission to the showing, which starts at 7 p.m., is free, but tickets are required. The film, which has been nominated for an Academy Award, tells the story of Russian videographer Pavel “Pasha” Talankin as he films daily life at his small town’s school in to prove to it’s in compliance with the government’s “patriotic education” polices. Find ticket information here.

The Full Frame Road Show will also offer a showing of “SEEDS” at 7 p.m. p Feb. 12. The film tells the stories of Black farmers as they protect their land.

Feb. 12 – Duke University Wind Symphony

Duke University Wind Symphony will perform selections defined by bold sonic imagination and vibrant musical storytelling. The show, titled “Fantasy of Colors” starts at 7:30 p.m. at Baldwin Auditorium. It will feature music by composers Shuying Li, Flavio Lemelle, Paul Dooley, Omar Thomas and the duo of Max Amici and Jeff Hart

Feb. 13 – Stargazing with the Duke Teaching Observatory

Check out the wonders of the night sky with powerful telescopes and wisdom from Duke physicists. The Duke Teaching Observatory’s open house event will take place in Duke Forest around 6:30 p.m. and offers visitors a chance to explore the heavens. The event is weather-dependent, so check here for the latest updates.

Feb. 17 – Mary Lou Williams Center Black History Month Lecture

Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, an award-winning educator, author and the daughter of Malcolm X, will share reflections on her father’s legacy and pursuits of justice, liberation and human rights at 6 p.m. at Penn Pavillion. The event is the signature event organized by Duke’s Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture for Black History Month.

Feb. 21 – Ciompi Quartet’s “Memories and Aspirations”

The Ciompi Quartet presents a show featuring two of its significant commissions in “Memoirs” by American composer Paul Schoenfield and “My Tioga” by Melinda Wagner. The quartet, which consists of Duke faculty members, will also perform pieces by Bach and Schubert. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at Baldwin Auditorium.

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