Food Truck Rodeo

The Spring Food Truck Rodeo SUNDAY April 12!

50+ food trucks and beer and wine vendors, cuisine from all over the world, family fun, the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park!

Come downtown for our Spring Food Truck Rodeo, one of the longest standing events at DCP! Our rodeos feature trucks and drink vendors of all types for you to enjoy in the park or as you’re passing through. Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos aren’t just a great place to relax and eat great local street food, they also support Durham Central Park. These events raise much needed funds that help to operate, beautify, program and improve the park’s five acres.

The April Rodeo features a celebration of the Solar New Year!

It is a tradition of several Southeast Asian countries including Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and India. So, we have been working with the owners of Lao Lao Food Truck to bring a Solar New Year celebration to the rodeo! The Solar New Year celebration will happen on the lawn at the north end of the pavilion (next to the apartment building and Glass Jug). Many thanks to Brandy and family from Lao Lao Food Truck for helping to bring this wonderful celebration to the rodeo!

In addition to the Solar New Year celebration, we will have local Southeast Asian Artists and organizations, a bounce house for the kids (thank you Bull City Inflatables!), a face painter, and DJ Soul will be spinning tunes and, of course, all our amazing Food Trucks will be providing great food and drink!

Spend your Sunday sampling sweet, savory, and everything in between. There is no ticket required, just come hungry. Whether you’re a longtime rodeo regular or a first-timer, this is the perfect way to gather with friends, family, and neighbors and enjoy the park together.

Plan your visit by checking out the INTERACTIVE RODEO MAP!

What to Expect
  • A curated lineup of local food trucks
  • A Beer Garden full of community organizations and beverage vendors
  • Music with DJ Soul and a lively park atmosphere

  • Plenty of outdoor seating and green space
  • Solar New Year Celebration and Bull City Inflatables
  • Leashed dogs welcome

The Food Truck Rodeo is part of Durham Central Park’s mission to create inclusive, joyful community experiences in the heart of downtown Durham. Every bite supports local businesses and helps keep the park vibrant year-round.

Stay tuned for the lineup and offerings! Sign up for our newsletter to get the INTERACTIVE RODEO MAP delivered to your inbox!

Sponsored by Beckon, a cultivated residential community in the heart of Downtown Durham!

2026 Rodeo Dates

  • February 22
  • April 12
  • May 31
  • September 27

 

What’s a Food Truck Rodeo

Durham Central Park’s Food Truck Rodeo  — a Durham tradition that brings the whole community together! Spend your Sunday afternoon at Durham Central Park sampling delicious eats and local brews from 50+ of the Triangle’s favorite food and drink vendors. From savory to sweet, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Enjoy fresh tunes, bring the kids to enjoy the bounce houses, face painting and other activities, and connect with local community organizations doing great work right here in Durham.

The DCP Food Truck Rodeo is one of the park’s longest-running and most beloved programs, celebrating local flavor, music, and togetherness in the heart of downtown.

So grab your friends, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and come hungry — this is one afternoon you won’t want to miss!

Food Truck Rodeos happen four Sundays a year, one of the longest standing events at DCP! Our rodeos feature trucks and drink vendors of all types for you to enjoy in the park or as you’re passing through. Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos aren’t just a great place to relax and eat great local street food, they also support Durham Central Park. These events raise much needed funds that help to operate, beautify, program and improve the park’s five acres.

 

Volunteering at Food Truck Rodeos

We rely on volunteers to help make Rodeos happen. Because we appreciate all our volunteers, they can earn credit hours and Truck Bucks to spend with any vendor. We have jobs for all ages and abilities- set up, staffing the table, breakdown and keeping our event waste-free.  Click here to sign up to volunteer!

 

Information and Application for Food Trucks

If you own a food truck and are interested in participating in an upcoming Food Truck Rodeo, we want to hear from you! You can find information, rules and application here.

Become a Food Truck Rodeo Sponsor!

If you are looking to partner with DCP, your business can sponsor Durham Central Park’s Food Truck Rodeo and receive these special benefits!

Rodeo FAQs

  • No matter what, Food Truck Rodeos are rain or shine.
  • Although most trucks accept credit cards, an ATM machine is on site if needed.
  • If you need to park nearby, the lots to our South and West are open
  • Though dogs are welcome, please keep them on regular (not retractable) leashes
  • So that you get maximum enjoyment, bring a blanket or a lawn chair so that you can experience a quintessential Durham afternoon with friends and family.
  • Looking for or trucks that participate? Have other questions? Check the Food Truck Rodeo FAQ