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

Join San Juan Mountains Association staff and volunteers for an interpretive naturalist hike! Learn about wildflowers, ecology, wildlife, geology, and cultural history in our beautiful San Juan Mountains.    The fun, fact-filled nature hike is moderate, We'll be moving at a "walking" pace for around 1-2 miles. Wear walking shoes and clothing layers suitable for the mountain weather.   FREE, but registration is required.

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.

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. 

Durango Sustainable Goods + Omni Cafe invite you to our grand opening of Durango's first sustainable home, kitchen, and lifestyle store, plus Omni Bagels' first Omni Cafe.   Join us! We're closing down Main Ave between 13th and 12th streets to bring you our first annual "Buckley Bash" complete with live bands: "Dreamspace Database" and "High Country Hussle", food (bagels, of course!), a beer garden, and 23 booths representing neighborhood local businesses, creatives, and the non-profits we love and support.    This is a free event, open to the public, and a percentage of proceeds from beer sales and booth fees will be donated to The Four Corners Alliance for Diversity. Join us in celebrating our opening and our community.

Join Parker's Animal Rescue for our "Puppy Party"! Come play, snuggle, and socialize with our adoptable pups -- and maybe you'll find one that you just can't live without.   Don't miss out! Make sure to stop by, bring your friends (no personal animals), and find your new furry family member!   Always doublecheck our PAR social media accounts for any potential cancelations.   Learn more about our current adoptables at https://parkersanimalrescue.com/adopt.

National Typewriter Day is June 23 and we're using the day to celebrate the written word and our Literary Festival!   Local artist, visual practitioner, and award-winning author, Heather Martinez will have free samples of her typewritten work and will be creating small typewritten pieces on the fly!   "Typewriters have a strong history in not only the world but throughout the United States as well. Even though they might not be as popular as our trusty laptop companions, they're a fun and niche way to exercise your brain."

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.

Come and celebrate local authors and contributors of the Page One Writing Contest! All the submissions will be on display in the library's program rooms for patrons to read and enjoy, including the five winning pages:    "Promise To Pawpa" by Amoneeta, "The Cuban Affair" by Chuck Greaves, "The Tonic of Understanding" by Emily Roley, "Zorbitt" by Paul Pennington, and "In Heaven" by Madeline Barrow.   The event is free and open to all, snack and refreshments will be provided.   The Contest, which was held last November garnered over 100 entries from local authors. The authors, who represented a variety of ages, genders, cultures, and experiences submitted a multitude of genres including poetry, fantasy, memoir, and historical fiction. The winning pages were read aloud on the Page One Radio Program throughout the month of January.   The Page One program continues to air on KSUT Mondays 9:30 a.m. & Saturdays 7:56 a.m. and KDUR Fridays 11:45 a.m. & Sundays 10:30 a.m. Tune in to hear more about the wonderful books offered by the Durango Public Library!

Music, food and wine. Come enjoy your Friday nights with Fox Fire Farms. Seating on spacious lawns. Bring rain gear if there is a chance of rain.  FREE ADMISSION  All seating is outdoors on our spacious lawns.

Majik Ham is a Durango, Colorado based band of talented high school age players and singers. Formed in 2019 at the age of 12, they have performed at many events around the Four Corners area including Snowdown Teen Follies, Masada House Fundraiser, Boys and Girls Club, The Wild Horse Saloon, Aztec Octoberfest and are regular performers at the Farmington Riverfest. These virtuosos play crowd favorite classic rock covers with a few classic country hits in 4 part harmony. Elizas Javier is on keys, Alec Bell on guitar, Jordan Rainey on bass and Taylor Williams on drums.

In need of something to take the kids too? The Durango Arts Center Theatre has just the thing for you! Opening on June 24th, The youth Double Feature of the shows Mr. Groundhog Wants the Day Off and How To Survive Being in a Shakespeare Play. These two shows are portrayed by the June Theatre Summer Camps and are very kid friendly!   Did we mention that this will be the World Premier of Mr. Groundhog which was written by a local author? Who know, you might even get to meet her!   Come watch these fun shows in one performance!

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.