Registration Opens for Durham Senior Games

Annual event for Durham residents 50+ features sports and arts competitions

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:31am

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Registration is now open for the 2026 Durham Senior Games and SilverArts, an annual event coordinated by Durham Parks and Recreation for residents aged 50 and older. The games feature a variety of sporting events as well as creative arts competitions, providing opportunities for active older adults to stay engaged and showcase their talents.

Why it matters

The Durham Senior Games and SilverArts event promotes an active lifestyle and community engagement for the city's older adult population, which saw a decline in participation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The games aim to bring seniors back together to compete, create, and celebrate their talents.

The details

The 2026 Durham Senior Games and SilverArts will take place from April 20 to May 7. The games portion includes track and field, croquet, table tennis, basketball, swimming, shuffleboard, and pickleball, while the SilverArts competition celebrates literary arts, cheerleading, comedy, knitting, and more. Organizers are hoping to see increased enrollment this year after the event saw a significant decline in participation during the pandemic.

  • Registration for the 2026 Durham Senior Games and SilverArts is open now until March 6.
  • The opening torch ceremony is scheduled for April 20 at the Holton Career and Resource Center.

The players

Durham Parks and Recreation

The department that coordinates the annual Durham Senior Games and SilverArts event for residents aged 50 and older.

Skylar Kelly

A representative from Durham Parks and Recreation who explains the event features a combination of sports competitions and creative arts showcases.

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What they’re saying

“It's an Olympic-style event. We have a combination of sports as well as different crafts that we call Silver Arts. This event gives a whole scope of everyone's niche for different things. It's a little bit of everything thrown into senior games to give everyone that opportunity to showcase or be a part of it.”

— Skylar Kelly, Durham Parks and Recreation

What’s next

The opening torch ceremony for the 2026 Durham Senior Games and SilverArts is scheduled for April 20 at the Holton Career and Resource Center.

The takeaway

The Durham Senior Games and SilverArts event provides an important outlet for the city's older adult population to stay active, engaged, and connected with their community through friendly competition and creative expression.