groups

A growing list of groups that are conducive to helping you meet like-minded new friends in Durham, NC.

An image of downtown Durham, NC

sports

running & walking

arts

  • A free, creative community meetup where people work on their crafts and chat it up. You can bring any project you want to work on, or use some of the supplies on hand.

    https://www.instagram.com/arts_and_drafts_drm

  • An arts community dedicated to pottery and the clay arts that offers regular classes and workshops.

    https://www.claymakers.org/

  • A monthly happy hour for anyone who considers themselves a “creative.”

    https://www.instagram.com/artstigators

  • A group that offers classes, workshops, and camps throughout the whole year in just about every arts category you can imagine: ceramics, painting/drawing, printmaking, mixed media, bookbinding, photography, graphic design, literary arts, theatre, dance, music, and more! Courses are available for beginning and experienced artists, alike.

    https://durhamarts.org/

  • A group that offers monthly meetings, workshops, programs, and quilt shows centered around quilting. All experience levels welcome.

    https://www.durhamorangequilters.org/

  • This center offers many programs in service of their mission to preserve and advance the heritage and culture of historic Hayti and the African American experience through cultural arts and education programs.

    https://hayti.org/events-programs/

  • A group that offers studio rentals, classes in welding, metal-working, ceramics, and wood-working.

    https://www.libertyartsnc.org/

  • A comedy club that offers regular classes and events.

    https://thisismettlesome.com/

  • Your source for live figure drawing, urban sketching, plein air and other drawing or painting from life events in the North Carolina Triangle area.

    https://ncartmeets.com/

  • A monthly, in-person, meetup of photobook collectors, creators, & enthusiasts.

    https://www.instagram.com/photobook_dummies/

  • Durham’s local space for creating, making, hacking, crafting, building, breaking, fixing, and more!

    https://www.splatspace.org/

  • A group that offers a reuse arts center, thrift store, gallery, community space, artist market, workshops, and studio.

    https://www.scrapexchange.org/

  • A non-profit organization which promotes the enjoyment, preservation, and study of contra dancing and other English and American traditional and historic dance, music, and song.

    https://tcdancers.org/

  • A group that promotes swing dance and live swing music in the Triangle region.

    https://www.triangleswingdance.org/

environment

  • A group that aims to raise awareness about the waste hierarchy and hosts events such as clothing swaps and mending workshops.

    https://www.circulartriangle.org/

  • An informal group that meets once a month to provide information on a wide variety of gardening topics. Meetings are currently held online.

    https://durhammastergardeners.com/durham-garden-forum/

  • A non-profit that funds and supports parks, trails, playgrounds, athletic courts, and open spaces in Durham, North Carolina. This group hosts regular volunteer events open to all.

    https://durhamparksfoundation.org/

  • A new chapter of the NC Wildlife Federation focused on empowering the community to form a connection with their natural surroundings through adventurous and educational programming designed to preserve and reclaim habitat for wildlife in Durham County.

    https://www.durhamwildlifestewards.org/

  • A 501c3 land trust and watershed organization that manages nearly 500 acres of land for conservation, water quality and public enjoyment. This group hosts regular volunteer events open to all.

    https://www.ellerbecreek.org/

  • An accredited land trust and conservation nonprofit driven by a mission to conserve and protect the natural, historical, and cultural resources of the Eno River Basin. This group hosts regular volunteer events open to all.

    https://www.enoriver.org/

  • A volunteer program that works to educate and inspire all gardeners (the curious, beginners, and the more experienced) with science-based information, presentations, and demonstrations.  They also help maintain both the community garden at Briggs Avenue and the Demonstration Garden at the NC Cooperative Extension office.

    https://durhammastergardeners.com/become-a-master-gardener/

  • A group dedicated to promoting inclusivity in birding while fundraising and providing a safe opportunity for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, BIPOC, and women to connect with the natural world.

    https://www.instagram.com/fbc.durham/

  • A non-profit that help residents take action through volunteer opportunities (tree plantings, garden workdays, invasive species removal, litter pick-up, etc.), tool lending, educational programs, and resource coordination.

    https://www.keepdurhambeautiful.org/

  • Formerly New Hope Audubon Society, this group is an independent chapter of the National Audubon Society, serving Chatham, Durham, Orange and parts of surrounding counties in central North Carolina. They strive to protect birds, wildlife, and their local habitats through conservation, education, advocacy, and outdoor enjoyment.

    https://newhopebirdalliance.org/

  • This group strives to create a healthier and more vibrant Triangle region by safeguarding clean water, protecting natural habitats, supporting local farms and food, and connecting people with nature through land protection and stewardship, catalyzing community action and collaboration. They offer regular volunteer opportunities.

    https://triangleland.org/

service & activism

  • A local non-profit that works through events, education, and advocacy, for safe, affordable, and sustainable transportation for everyone.

    https://bikedurham.org/

  • City boards, committees, and commissions are groups of citizens who advise on various aspects of Durham life. Application required.

    https://www.durhamnc.gov/238/Boards-Committees-Commissions-Task-Force

  • An organization devoted to service activities.

    https://civitan.org/durham/

  • A group that focuses on grassroots organizing, leadership development, and political education to fight for a Durham where everyone can thrive politically, economically, and socially.

    https://durhamforall.org/

  • As the oldest fraternal organization for men, masonry is an initiatory society whose key tenets are friendship, morality and brotherly love.

    https://www.masonpost.com/nc/durham_county.html

  • A non-profit that brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. This group hosts regular volunteer events with no building experience necessary.

    https://www.durhamhabitat.org/

  • A grassroots organization that has been advancing a progressive vision for Durham and North Carolina for more than 40 years.

    https://www.durhampa.org/

  • An organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training.

    https://durhamandorangecounties.jl.org/

identity

  • A group that serves over 200 older adults each day through free services, resources, classes, events, and more.

    https://dcslnc.org/

  • A group that supports LGBTQ+ people through services, programming, resources, and support networks that center their wellbeing and allows them to thrive.

    https://www.lgbtqcenterofdurham.org/

games

music

  • A non-profit organization focused on exposing people to and educating them about Afro-Brazilian culture by performing traditional samba reggae music.

    https://www.bataladurham.com/

  • A New Orleans-style parade and stage community band.

    https://bulltownstrutters.org

  • A group of approximately 140 singers, known for excellence in performing significant choral works with professional orchestras and regionally and nationally known soloists.

    https://www.choral-society.org/

  • A community chorus group whose members share a love of singing. The purpose of the Chorale is to provide a musical environment to help enlighten and educate both participants and the community by exposing them to the history and variety of choral music.

    https://www.durhamcommunitychorale.org/

  • A non-profit concert band that hosts rehearsals open to all.

    https://durhamband.org/

  • A group that holds ukulele concerts, as well as regular group events. It's low key, friendly, and a great place to get some tunes under your fingers. Beginners are always welcome, heck, you don't even have to have a ukulele. Just come down and join the fun!

    https://durhamukuleleorchestra.com/

  • A group that offers weekly Irish Learning Jams and Classic Country/Honky Tonk Jams.

    https://www.highstrungdurham.com/learning-jams.html

  • An organization that offers instrument rentals and classes for string instruments.

    https://www.indiestrings.com/

  • A group dedicated to Irish Traditional Music.

    https://thesession.org/sessions/8926

  • An old time (banjo, fiddle, guitar) jam group that meets on Tuesdays at 6pm in Northgate Park in nice weather, or Sacred Grounds Coffee House at Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church when it’s not. Everyone (especially beginners) welcome.

    oldtime_nc+subscribe@googlegroups.com

other

  • An organization that empowers Durham’s youth and adults through hands-on woodworking, creativity, and mentorship. They host open shop hours and youth and adult classes to build skills and create lasting connections.

    https://www.thebullcitywoodshop.com/

  • A support network for moms in Durham, NC and surrounding communities that hosts events, playdates, and classes. 

    https://www.durhammothersclub.org/

  • A bar that offers high-quality, sliding-scale classes in the arts & humanities for curious adults, taught by expert instructors, both online and in-person.

    https://www.nightschoolbar.com/

  • A group that seeks to engage the minds, elevate the spirits and foster the well-being of its members through numerous educational programs and opportunities for volunteer service and social activity.

    https://learnmore.duke.edu/olli

  • A group of stay-at-home dads (or anyone else who wants to join!) that meets for a weekly playgroup at the Piney Wood Park playground on Fridays from 10-11am (unless it is raining or the temperature is below 30).

  • A non-profit that hosts social activities, supports local businesses, and fundraises for local animal advocacy organizations.

    https://www.trianglecanineclub.org/

  • A discord for the triangle region of NC's very own local community of food enjoyers and hobbyists. This group welcomes anyone interested in chatting about local restaurants, recipes, hot dogs, or whatever you feel like, really!

    https://discord.com/invite/bYMRsjH2qb

  • This group is the IRL social hub for independent workers of the Triangle. Socials allow freelancers, solopreneurs, and other independent workers to connect with like-minded folks to exchange ideas, make friends, and find their next business lead. Or just have some in-person fun!

    https://trifreeso.com/