Special Events - Calendar & Permits

LIMITATIONS ON WALK AND RUN EVENTS

As with all Special Events, permits for Walk and Run events are subject to the Special Event Review Team (SERT). Due to staffing and safety concerns, new races that require road closures may be encouraged to choose another date, consider alternate routes, or may not be approved. 

Please get in touch with us at specialevents@durhamnc.gov with any questions.

PARADE GUIDELINES

• All drivers must be age 25+
• All drivers must have a valid Driver's License
• Every vehicle must have an up-to-date vehicle registration
• Every driver must have valid auto insurance
• Minor participants must be accompanied by an adult 

***These rules apply to all motorized vehicles and drivers***

All Event Organizers wishing to hold a parade must also comply with the following:

• Must provide a list of all units/organizations and driver names, for all motorized vehicles, a minimum of 10 days before your event. 
• Hire law enforcement officers to perform checks on all vehicles and drivers participating in your parade. Event Organizers will have two options to complete these checks:

1. Have all vehicles and drivers go through a pre-check no more than 7 days prior to the event.
2. Coordinate with DPD to have officers perform vehicle and license checks on the day of your parade, but prior to the start. 

• Work with DPD on the date, time, and number of officers required, based on vehicles planned to participate. 

BULLPEN SOCIAL DISTRICT 

This City of Durham has a social district named the Bullpen. When a special event held pursuant to the issuance of a special event permit, issued by the City of Durham, the terms of the special event permit supersede the provisions of this article within the boundaries of the special event.  

Downtown special events with an alcohol permit and selling and/or serving alcoholic beverages: Those beverages are NOT allowed to leave the special event boundary, even if the event is located within the Bullpen social district. The event organizer must provide signage to make attendees aware. 

Bullpen beverages from participating downtown businesses: Those beverages are allowed to be brought into your event at no additional permit, insurance, or cost to the event organizer. It is the decision of the special event permit holder to choose whether to allow social district beverages to enter their special event boundary. That decision can be made when a person applies for the special event permit with the City of Durham. A special event can opt out of Bullpen beverages being brought into their event but must post signage to make attendees aware.  

Assistance with signage can be provided, by request of the event organizer, on their Event Permit Application.