5 Free Things to Do at Duke in September 2026

September 6 – Duke Symphony Orchestra Pops Concert

Enjoy a Labor Day weekend tradition when the Duke Symphony Orchestra kicks off its season with its annual Pops Concert in Baldwin Auditorium on East Campus. As part of the We the People initiative, the concert will feature selections from American composers.

September 9, 16, 23 and 30 – Duke Arts at American Tobacco

North Carolina-based Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tift Merritt has curated a series of four, free outdoor concerts on Wednesday evenings at the American Tobacco Campus. The performances, which are part of the We the People series, will feature artists from across genres, sharing music and reflections on the women who shaped their creative lives.

The series launches with Americana icon Patty Griffin, a multi-time Grammy winner, on Sept. 9. Award-winning Canadian folk artist Kaia Kater performs on Sept. 16 and Cherokee singer-songwriter Ken Pomeroy will play on Sept. 23. The series continues with Grammy-winning folk rock performer Madison Cunningham on Sept. 30.

September 19 – Biddle Community Day

The Duke and Durham community is invited to experience the energy and creativity of Duke’s music scene at a daylong open house at the Biddle Music Building on East Campus. From 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., visitors can enjoy performances from students and faculty, see open rehearsals and take part in interactive activities such as bucket bands, sheet music origami and karaoke.

Visitors can stick around for the Duke Department of Music’s Faculty & Student Gala Concert at 7:30 p.m. at nearby Baldwin Auditorium to hear music from the Ciompi Quartet, the Duke Symphony Orchestra and more.

September 24 – A Conversation with David Rubenstein and Ken Burns

Join David Rubenstein, a Duke alumnus and former chair of the Duke University Board of Trustees, for a conversation about U.S. history and civic engagement with award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. Tickets to the event at Page Auditorium can be reserved by members of the Duke community by clicking here.

The event is part of the We the People initiative and helps mark the arrival of three historic copies of the Declaration of Independence at the Nasher Museum of Art. The copies, on loan from Rubenstein, will be available to view at the Nasher Museum of Art from Sept. 24 through Jan. 3, 2027.

September 30 – Save a Seat for Me: Notes on American Fatherhood

James B. Duke Professor of African American Studies Mark Anthony Neal will discuss his new book, “Save a Seat for Me: Notes on American Fatherhood” with James B. Duke Distinguished Professor Emerita of English Karla FC Holloway at the Durham County Main Library.

Through reflections about his own childhood and the challenges and joys he’s experienced as a parent himself, Neal’s latest book explores the societal expectations of a father in a time of cultural change.