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.

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. 

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!

During clean commute week, the city of Durango is hosting a Pedal vs. Metal scavenger hunt. This is an race between cars, bikes, skateboards, walking, any mode of transportation to see who can go to the most stops in one hour. The race starts and a map of stops will be given out at Rotary Park. There will be prize for the bicycle competitor and for the pedestrian competitor. Following traffic laws is required.

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.

Are you a beginner/intermediate acoustic music player looking to play more? This weekly jam is welcoming to all players, with a focus on slower tempo improvisation solos and chord changes. If you can play the I, IV and V chords in G, D and A then you know enough to play at this jam!

Registration required. Sign up online or contact Durango Public Library for help!   An incisive exploration of the human and environmental history of Bears Ears National Monument and its vast cultural landscape.   Bears Ears National Monument is a bellwether for public land issues in the American West. Its recognition will be a relevant topic for years to come.    Andrew Gulliford is professor of history at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He is an award-winning author whose books include Boomtown Blues: Colorado Oil Shale; Sacred Objects and Sacred Places: Preserving Tribal Traditions; and The Woolly West: Colorado's Hidden History of Sheepscapes.

Kick back on Lola's patio with live music!

Join us for live music at James Ranch Grill with Smelter Mountain Boys   Radioactive bluegrass from Durango, CO Smelter Mountain Boys have become known in the Four Corners area for traditional bluegrass with tight instrumentation and high vocal harmonies since their founding in 2018. It’s a bit of North Carolina meets Colorado with Corey Clark bringing an extensive catalog of bluegrass favorites and standards he learned in bluegrass’ birthplace. He’s backed up by some Colorado boys that have grown up around the campground and festivals and jam circles of the Rocky Mountains; Steve Labowskie on bass and vocals, Pete Donahue on mandolin and vocals who also well known in Durango’s punk rock scene and Eli Emmitt on lead guitar. Eli’s flatpicking skills were honed while learning the “family business” of Colorado style bluegrass and jamgrass (the last name might be familiar), he is also a jazz guitar student at Fort Lewis College.

PlayFest returns with its 5th annual festival! Come help us celebrate the craft of play-writing and the joy of live theatre when we kick off the festival in grand style. Enjoy lavish appetizers and drinks, mingle with our playwrights, actors and directors, and learn more about this year's featured plays. Your support helps bring world-class theatre to Durango.

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.

Color adds contrast and attributes to interaction, harmony, mood, culture and expression. Accurately combining colors, using the color wheel, and understanding how colors relate to each other are critical skills for artists, designers, marketers, and brand owners. Come join us for an incredible evening, with an exceptional instructor, Mike Scieszka, to give you guidance along the way.   All supplies, laughter, and inspiration included!

Open mic every Tuesday, open to performers of all kinds and levels from beginners to experts. Support local live music!

What do you get when you take a Shakespearean play, six actors, and way too much alcohol...Smashed Shakespeare!    Doctuh Mistuh Productions presents Smashed Shakespeare - Romeo & Juliet! Think Drunk History meets The Bard! This is a retelling of Shakespeare's most famous play with a twist - one of the actors will be "in the cups" or drunk if you will while trying to perform the play. There will also be lots of audience participation (i.e. drinking games). This event is appropriate for ages 13 and up.