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You are here > Home > What's On > Summer Highlights

Summer Highlights

From festivals and fetes to vintage vehicles and open air theatre, enjoy a packed summer of fun in Durham with events to enthral and excite the whole family.

Embrace the warmth and vibrancy of summer in Durham with our curated guide to seasonal highlights. Discover a plethora of events, from lively festivals and outdoor performances to family-friendly activities and cultural showcases. Immerse yourself in the richness of summer arts, enjoy open-air concerts, and savor culinary delights at seasonal workshops. Whether it's nature excursions or festive celebrations, Durham's summer highlights offer a diverse array of experiences for all. Stay connected with the latest happenings and make the most of your summer in Durham, where every moment becomes a highlight.

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  1. Aurora Borealis over Grassholme

    Add Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    The event will begin with a personal welcome from our astronomer, Gary Fildes. Gary is a very experienced science communicator and astronomer, and founder of the Kielder Observatory, where he was Director and CEO for over 11 years.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Feb 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory
  2. Crook Hall

    Add Books and bugs with Stacey Bone: February half term at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Books and bugs with Stacey Bone: February half term at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Join local author Stacey Bone for a family-friendly event that will spark your imagination and creativity. Activities include:

    - Design your own bug character mask (ongoing activity, drop in).

    - Join Stacey for story time sessions at 10.30am, 11…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Feb 2026to24 Feb 2026
    More info for Books and bugs with Stacey Bone: February half term at Crook Hall Gardens
  3. Durham Miners' Gala. Crowds enjoying the Gala outside of the County Hotel. Colliery Banners can be seen as the Bands march through the streets.

    Durham Miners' Gala 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham City

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns on 11th July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026
    More info for Durham Miners' Gala 2026
  4. Little girl and boy participating in 'Little Dragons' at Durham University Oriental Museum.

    Add Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham City

    Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Jan 2026to30 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum
  5. Close up of vegetables at market stall. Person standing next to veg.

    Add Consett Market to your Itinerary

    Consett Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Consett

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Consett Market
  6. Dragon Scale Slime, a wooden sword and shield and a handmade dragon eye.

    Add How to Train Your Dragon Craft School - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    How to Train Your Dragon Craft School - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us and Craftily Ever After for our very first How to Train a Dragon Crafting School.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2026Open 15:15 - 16:45
    More info for How to Train Your Dragon Craft School - Lanchester Garden Centre
  7. A starry sky over a forest - Sunset to Starlight.

    Add Sunset to Starlight - Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Sunset to Starlight - Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Bishop Auckland

    A sunset to starlit event, in the heart of the forest. Connecting to nature, creating community and connection by firelight.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2026Open 17:00 -
    More info for Sunset to Starlight - Hamsterley Forest
  8. The Irish House Party

    Add The Irish House Party - A Traditional Song-And-Dance Celebration Dating Back To The Early 19th Century to your Itinerary

    The Irish House Party - A Traditional Song-And-Dance Celebration Dating Back To The Early 19th Century

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Market Place, Bishop Auckland

    At last, an Irish music show that has come out of Ireland without the clichés that usually follow! There are no twee costumes or backing tracks here. Instead you get incredibly talented musicians and dancers who simply want to bring you the sound…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 22:30
    More info for The Irish House Party - A Traditional Song-And-Dance Celebration Dating Back To The Early 19th Century
  9. High Force Waterfall

    Add The High Force Space Adventure Trail to your Itinerary

    The High Force Space Adventure Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    Spark your little one's curiosity on all things astronomy and space, whilst reaping the benefits of the outdoors in the beautiful setting of High Force Hotel & Waterfall. It is the perfect way to explore the wonders of the night sky, during the day!

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to29 Mar 2026
    More info for The High Force Space Adventure Trail
  10. SPARC Summit Late - Space - Art - Conversation

    Add SPARC Summit Late at Ushaw to your Itinerary

    SPARC Summit Late at Ushaw

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham

    Explore the big ideas in space through art, music and conversation at this one-night-only experience, in an immersive, historic setting.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Apr 2026Open 18:30 -
    More info for SPARC Summit Late at Ushaw
  11. Canny Creations

    Add Canny Creations: Wonderful North East Inventions - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Canny Creations: Wonderful North East Inventions - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Discover Canny Creations at Beamish Museum This Half Term

    Beamish, The Living Museum of the North will some of the greatest inventions to come from the North East, from Saturday, 14th February until Sunday, 1st March.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Canny Creations: Wonderful North East Inventions - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  12. Ignite festival poster shows a match with a multicoloured flame.

    Add IGNITE Winter Arts Festival to your Itinerary

    IGNITE Winter Arts Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Bishop Auckland

    New winter arts festival ‘IGNITE’ to light up Bishop Auckland this February.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Feb 2026to22 Feb 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for IGNITE Winter Arts Festival
  13. Silhouette of a person photographing The Milky Way from the hillside

    Add Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Due to popular demand, we have laid on this exclusive event to educate the little ones on all things spacey!

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
  14. Mrs Smith advertising poster.

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me! to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me!

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Mrs Smith was an ordinary teacher until she went viral on Facebook and accidentally became a comedian.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me!
  15. Declan Poole at the Wurlitzer organ (Milwaukee USA)

    Add Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with award winning young organist Declan Poole to your Itinerary

    Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with award winning young organist Declan Poole

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    Winner of the U.S. and U.K. Young Theatre Organist of the Year Award DECLAN POOLE plays a concert of favourite music at the mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the New Victoria Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with award winning young organist Declan Poole
  16. People stood watching the traditional lion dance at Millennium Place Durham, part of the Lunar New Tear celebrations.

    Chinese New Year 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Durham City with a programme of exciting events.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2026
    More info for Chinese New Year 2026
  17. People taking part in the Holi Festival at Durham Oriental Museum

    Add Holi Festival to your Itinerary

    Holi Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    South Road, Durham City

    Holi is the Indian Spring Festival, also known as the Festival of Colours, because one of the ways to celebrate is to throw brightly coloured powders over your friends and family! Join us on this special day to enjoy powder throwing sessions, craft…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Mar 2026Open 12:00 - 17:00
    More info for Holi Festival
  18. Close-up of Jodie Fitzgibbon performing

    Add Live Music Nights at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Live Music Nights at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Stanley

    Sit with us and enjoy live music every Friday, where we welcome a brilliant mix of local musicians from all across the North East to our cosy indoor bar - with a roaring log-burning fire.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2025to11 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Live Music Nights at South Causey Inn
  19. A woman leans over a table helping two young children with an arts-and-crafts activity. The children sit at a bright yellow table covered with paper,

    Add Family Open Day - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Open Day - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Join us for a free day of family-friendly activities. Inspired by the museum's Pippa Hale: Pet Project exhibition, enjoy a variety of activities as we celebrate all things pets at the museum.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Family Open Day - The Bowes Museum
  20. Angela Barnes

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Angela Barnes - ANGST to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Angela Barnes - ANGST

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    A brand-new stand-up show from Angela Barnes, star of Mock The Week and Live at The Apollo. Angela is a worrier. Whatever it is, she'll worry about it. But don't let that worry you – she'll worry enough for the both of you.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Angela Barnes - ANGST
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