Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival

The nationally award-winning Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival will celebrate its 53rd Anniversary on June 3, 2023! Enjoy a day filled with live music, arts and crafts, community resources, tasty traditional food, and local talent.

This family-oriented event is a celebration of African and African American history, culture, arts, and traditions. For information on how the festival has evolved throughout the years visit the Bimbé History page.

Check out the Bimbé Weekday Events page for information on all of the events happening May 31-June 2.

**Seating will not be provided, please bring a lawn chair or blanket. Additionally, the following items are not allowed at the festival: No coolers; No smoking; No alcohol; No personal canopies/tents; No pets

Festival Highlights

DURHAM H20 To Go

BYOB – We’ve got unlimited refills from the City of Durham’s water truck! Help reduce waste at this event by bringing your own water bottle or cup. This mobile system cools and dispenses on-demand drinking water.

Family Fun Zone

The Family Fun Zone will celebrate the spirit of the African diaspora, engaging kids of ALL ages to bring out the “Kuumba,” (koo-OOM-bah), or creativity, within each of them. Join us for a fun-filled day exploring African cultural traditions! The Family Fun Zone will include:

Drum Circles
Arts & Crafts
Storytelling
Inflatables
Face Painting

Hometown Heroes

Durham boasts many great leaders, influencers, and role models. People who have helped shape our community and have touched the lives of many. It's time to celebrate a few of these Hometown Heroes and their accomplishments!

Book Giveaway and Registration

The Durham County Library will be on-site with its awesome Bookmobile, Destination Literacy. Participants can take advantage of this mobile service, where they can register for a library card and even receive a free book! They have titles for children and adults, in both English and Spanish.

Main Stage Performances

Time	Performances
1:00 p.m.	Welcome Salute to Elders Parade – African American Dance Ensemble Bimbe History Hype 40+ Double Dutch Club Only Us Cypher Hometown Heroes Presentation
2:15 p.m.	Alter Egos Band
3:15 p.m.	Hometown Heroes Presentation Only Us Cypher Hezter Boi the Ox & Choppa Boi 3 (Bull City Anthem)
3:50 p.m.	The Mint Condition Band Tribute
4:50 p.m.	DJ Medley
5:30 - 7 p.m.	Headliner Set Check Back in April :)

Performance schedule subject to change. Learn more about the Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival performers.

Parking

Free parking will be available in the Durham County Stadium parking lots, located at 750 Stadium Drive across from Rock Quarry Park. New this year - the parking lot will only be accessible via Wisteria Avenue and Stadium Drive will be closed to thru traffic. Download a Bimbé Traffic Map (PDF).

Handicap will be available in the Durham National Guard Armory Parking Lot, located at 801 Stadium Drive, as space permits. First come, first serve.
Please carpool and arrive early! Taking public transportation is encouraged, please see the information below about taking Go Durham to the Festival.

Take the Bus to Bimbé

There are two bus stops near Rock Quarry Park where Bimbé will be held! Don't worry about traffic and finding a parking spot, jump on the bus for a hassle free ride.

Bus Stops Closest to the Bimbé Festival Site

Route 4 (N Roxboro/Durham Regional/North Duke Crossing:
Runs every 30 minutes on Saturdays from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. It then runs every hour from 7 p.m.-midnight.

Olympic Avenue at Roxboro road (Stop ID #6067): This stop is along the outbound (from Durham Station) route 4 only. It is located on Olympic Avenue, just before the entrance to Duke Regional Hospital.
Duke Regional Hospital (Stop ID #5105): This stop is located on the perimeter road inside Duke Regional Hospital. The stop is along the outbound (from Durham Station) route 4 only. There is a shelter at this location.
Roxboro Road at Duke Regional Hospital (Stop ID #6155): This stop is located on Roxboro Road, just south of Crutchfield St. It is along the inbound (to Durham Station) route 4.

Route 9A (Dearborn Dr/Durham Regional/Riverside HS):
Route 9A runs every hour from 6 a.m.-midnight. Please note: after 7 p.m., it is simply route 9, but the same stops apply as the daytime.

Roxboro Road at Duke Regional Hospital (Stop ID #6155): This stop is located on Roxboro Road, just south of Crutchfield Street. It is along the outbound route 9A only.
Olympic Avenue at Roxboro Road (Stop ID #6067): This stop is along the outbound (from Durham Station) route 9A only. It is located on Olympic Avenue, just before the entrance to Duke Regional Hospital.
Duke Regional Hospital (Stop ID #5105): This stop is located on the perimeter road inside Duke Regional Hospital. The stop is along the outbound (from Durham Station) route 9A. There is a shelter at this location.
Duke Regional Hospital (Stop ID #6095): This stop is located on the perimeter road inside Duke Regional Hospital. The stop is along the inbound (to Durham Station) route 9A. There is a shelter at this location, and it is located directly across the street from the outbound stop (ID #5105).
Olympic Avenue at Roxboro Road (Stop ID #5451): This stop is along the inbound (to Durham Station) route 9A only. It is located on Olympic Avenue, across the street from the outbound stop (ID #6067).

Route/Schedule Information

Route maps/schedules for the aforementioned routes can be found on the Go Durham site. When you visit the individual page for each route, you can view the PDF map/schedule or look at real-time information for the route. You can also view the real-time information of the routes using the TransLoc system by:

Viewing TransLoc online
Using the TransLoc Rider App. Available at the iTunes and Google Play stores (free download)
Each bus stop has information that instructs passengers on how to receive real-time arrival information via text message.

Trips Planning Assistance

Passengers can call the Regional Call Center at 919-485-7433 (RIDE) for information/trip planning assistance on all transit services in the Triangle. For the “tech-savvy” people, they can plan their trip using Google Maps or using the planner on the Go Durham homepage.

Volunteer

Interested in volunteering? Visit our Ivolunteer site to sign up. Volunteers will receive a festival t-shirt, snacks, and water. Learn more about our Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival volunteer opportunities through ivolunteer.

Vendor Information

All food and non-food have been chosen for the 2023 Bimbé Festival. If you have any questions, contact Roseana Matthews, at 919-560-4355 or by email at Roseana.Matthews@durhamnc.gov.

Event Cancellation Information

Events may be canceled in the case of severe inclement weather.

Call the weather line at 919-560-4636 and press Number 8 for the status of the event.
Visit Facebook and/or Twitter

Event Contact

For event information, email Kristin Perez or call 919-560-4355.

Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival

53rd Annual