Events on this Day

For a truly unforgettable step back in time, enjoy a leisurely trip to yesteryear riding 3 1/2 hours each way on this diesel train while spending a nearly 2-hour layover in the historic mining town of Silverton to enjoy the sights, shopping, food, and libations that Silverton offers. Departing from the Durango Depot, this trip takes you up into the Rocky Mountains with views of the San Juan National Forest as you travel alongside the beautiful Animas River on your way to the historic mining town of Silverton. There will be one Silverton Diesel Train departing daily at 8:15 AM from May 20th - August 13th.

For a truly unforgettable step back in time, enjoy a leisurely trip to yesteryear riding 3 1/2 hours each way on this train while spending a nearly 2-hour layover in the historic mining town of Silverton to enjoy the sights, shopping, food, and libations that Silverton offers. Departing from the Durango Depot, this trip takes you up into the Rocky Mountains with views of the San Juan National Forest as you travel alongside the beautiful Animas River on your way to the historic mining town of Silverton. There will be up to three steam departures depending on the date. The Silverton Steam Train departs daily at 9:00AM 5/6/23-10/28/23, 8:15AM 8/14/23-10/14/23, and 9:45AM 9/1/23-10/14/23

Experience the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad's iconic canyon views along the Highline on our shortest excursion offered. This steam train excursion is perfect for families with young children, late risers, or anyone looking to experience the historic D&SNGRR with only five hours to spare.    The Cascade Canyon Express departs from Durango and travels deep into the San Juan National Forest about halfway to Silverton, before returning to Durango for a 5-hour highlight reel of spectacular Rocky Mountain and Animas River Canyon scenery.   The Cascade Canyon Express has a concession car with a variety of snacks and drinks available for purchase. Pre-order boxed lunches are also available.   The train will depart from the Durango Depot at 9:45 AM every day and return to Durango at 3 PM from May 26th - May 29th and June 7th - August 13th.

Work with DAC's own Mr. B, "The Master Costume and Mask Masker" and create outrageous Masks of your choice using a variety of three-dimensional forms, mediums, materials, and paints. Each day explore masks of different cultures.    Email Mr. B at ben@durangoarts.org with any questions or concerns. Scholarships Available!

For those seeking the highlight reel of Durango’s early history, beginning in 1881, through the lens of the Historic Downtown Durango District (Main Avenue). This is a must-do for locals to learn where actual notorious Wild West events happened (as opposed to the lore) to share with your guests. Both tourists and locals alike will walk away with a very different view of Durango and a deeper appreciation.   Buffalo soldiers, Native Americans, outlaws, Chinese restaurateurs, railroad works and miners, freed slaves, and "soiled doves" were amongst the melting pot that was Durango. Sometimes things went awry and all hell broke loose. As a result, you will visit the hanging sites and location of the epic gunfight between the Sheriff and the Marshall amongst others.    This tour meets at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Depot (479 Main Avenue; gather at the horse sculptures out front). Please note this is a one-way walk up Main Avenue. We will end at Maria's Bookstore (960 Main Avenue). On this approximately 1 hour and 15 minute tour we will not enter establishments. This makes it an option for those with disabilities (be prepared for uneven Durango sidewalks however) and well behaved dogs (please give advance notice). After the tour you will be right on time for lunch at any of our wonderful downtown restaurants; now with a newfound appreciation of Durango.    Please do not attend a tour if you are experiencing Covid symptoms. 

If you love to talk about books, then we've got a club for you! Join us on Wednesday, June 22 at 11am upstairs in the DPL Reading Room. This month we're celebrating our Literary Festival with Island of Sea Woman by Lisa See.   Registration required. Sign up online or contact DPL for help!   FREE BOOKS available (while supplies last) at the Reference Desk for participants who register and commit to attend the club.

In this "open-studio" style drawing class, teens learn to create artwork from their own inspirations. The instructor will guide students to reach their greatest potential while drawing works of art they can be proud of. Email Deena Carney, Visual Art Education Director, with any questions or concerns. Scholarships Available!

Make beautiful letters with a professional lettering artist.   Designed for all experience levels, in these adult classes, you will learn how to break down each letterform into strokes to give you the command over your tools to make confident letters.    Note that we study a different lettering style each day. Choose by available day or style:   Monday: Letter Like a Graphic Novelist  Tuesday: Variations in Italic  Wednesday: Lettering with Pencils  Thursday: Letter Like a Sign Painter  Friday: Brushlettering Fun!  Saturday: Chalkboard Basics   Classes are held in The ArtRoom and are limited to 6 people. You may also request private 1:1 and group sessions.   Materials are provided that you get to take home. Accompanying online courses allow the learning to continue.

Old West Cowboy Music Show and Chuckwagon Supper. Durango's favorite family entertainment since 1969. Bar D Wranglers perform in concert after supper with music and songs of old west cowboys, comedy, and lively instrumentals. The show is fun for the whole family.    Activities, shops, and ticketing open at 4:30. Supper is at 6:30. Open Memorial Day Weekend through September - Rain or Shine !    Reservations are required.

Join us in the beer garden for fresh craft beer from the source, food specials and free live music on the outdoor stage by The Originals!

The Durango Chamber of Commerce is honoring Blue Rain Gallery with a ribbon cutting ceremony, welcoming Blue Rain Gallery to their historic and vibrant downtown district.

The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College and Alpine Bank present the free summer concert series, "Concert Hall @ The Park" in downtown Durango's Buckley Park featuring Chris Daniels & The Kings!   Chris Daniels & The Kings are celebrating their 39th year with live performances over the summer, playing songs from BLUES WITH HORNS - their 15th Kings album. Chris was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall Of Fame in 2013 with Judy Collins and he has appeared with Garth Brooks, B.B. King, Vince, Gill, Amy Grant, Joe Walsh, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Oates, The Lumineers, Uncle Kracker, Blues Traveler, The Neville Brothers, and the list goes on.   Picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs are encouraged with Fired Up Pizzeria offering a selection of food and beverages throughout the evening.

Come enjoy live Jazz on the Patio!

Join us for live music at James Ranch Grill with Matt Rupnow   Matt Rupnow is a Singer/Songwriter who lives in Southwest Colorado. He is writing, recording and performing his unique blend of music he likes to call "Rocky Mountain Soul Music". Matt performs his own music as well as an eclectic mix of favorites. His solo act features a variety of styles ranging from Country to Reggae, from Rock to Blues, to Motown, Soul and Funk.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art with a do-no-harm approach to self-defense. Ai means harmony or blending. Ki is energy. Do is the way. Learn how to blend with energy in a conflict in order to resolve it. Aikido is ideal for women, shorter individuals, and those who never imagined doing martial arts. Develop greater strength, coordination, balance, and serenity. For 20 years, DSBK has provided fun-filled classes open to everyone.   (Photo credit Penny Maycock CCBY2.0)

Adult Improv with Cindy Laudadio-Hill - Blue Level   DAC is sponsoring a 4-week class with veteran improv actor and teacher, Cindy Laudadio-Hill, to help you fall further in love with the art of improvisation! This class will take beginner improvers to the next level with exercises focused on scene building, long-from improv, and building characters.   Email dar@durangoarts.org for the student, teacher, and service industry discount code.   Due to the nature of this class, this class is open to those 18 - 118 years old.

Soak up spectacular live music at Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa. This summer guests can enjoy live music from the comfort of the mineral-rich waters!   In the last year, Durango Hot Springs has added 15 mineral soaking pools and one cold plunge, doubling the number of pools to 32.     Looking for solitude? Couples and individuals are invited to enjoy the new cedar Ofuro tubs situated in a private Zen garden.

Join artists Alex Graf and Eli Emmitt for some live acoustical music in our Durango tasting room.

Join us outside on the Carver Family Plaza for Powerhouse trivia night every Thursday through the summer. Our trivia consists of four rounds of questions and always includes one scientific round and a music round. $5 suggested team donations. Bar open for drink purchases and food available from Laura's Artisans and Straight Outta Balboa Island.

Downtown Durango is saturated with paranormal activity. You don’t need to walk far to get your fill of ghost stories. Main Avenue was once home to a plethora of saloons, dance halls, brothels, and gambling halls. It was the stomping ground for outlaws, gamblers, prostitutes, miners, and railroad workers. Late night escapades, fueled by whiskey, led to many tragic events resulting in the ghosts that wander the streets today.   Our 90-minute Hauntings & History Ghost Tour will not disappoint. We will meet in front of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train Depot (479 Main Ave) at dusk. Midway through the tour we will enter one of the best haunted locations that Downtown Durango has to offer! We are the only ghost tour that takes people INSIDE of a location! Wherever we tread on Main Avenue you will hear tales of apparitions who refuse to leave the places they inhabited in life. Because of the tight sidewalks downtown our tours do not exceed 15 people.    Be prepared for loud streets and crowds. Downtown Durango can be pretty raucous at night.