Discover Music and Dance across the Culture County

Embrace your love of music and dance and enjoy a variety of music festivals, performances, and events in Durham. Catch big names, new bands, and local artists at iconic venues that will certainly get your feet moving and toes tapping! We have picked a few highlights below.

Durham Brass Festival hosts BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends

A night of musical fun with Stuart Maconie, as he hosts Loose Ends at Redhills on 16 July, for a celebration of music, comedy, and entertainment on show at the Durham Brass Festival. Grab your tickets and be part of the show!

Party in the Park at Durham Brass Festival

Grab your dancing shoes and join the fun in Wharton Park. On 19 July, 10 street bands will bring the party to life in the park’s amphitheatre offering a unique way to enjoy high-energy performances from amazing bands from the UK and beyond. Rain or shine, it's always an unmissable part of the Brass Festival.

Dance City Boundless Company at Durham Fringe Festival

'Changing Reflections,' choreographed by Kristin Kelly Abbott, celebrates women's transformation through life and aging. It boldly declares 'SEE US, HEAR US' for women feeling invisible. This piece applauds wisdom, freedom, and boldness and will take place at Dunelm House on 23 to 24 July.

Streets of Brass at Durham Brass Festival

Durham City is set to be buzzing on 19 July with 'Streets of Brass'.  Street bands from the UK and around the world will take centre stage across the city centre throughout the day, there is no need to book, just show up and have a blast at this free event!

Passengers & Pioneers at Durham Fringe Festival

Sam Slatcher's original folk songs, featuring poetry by award-winning North East poets, celebrate the bicentenary of the modern railway. The performance at the Vane Tempest, Durham Student Union on 23 July tells the story of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, showcasing its impact on the region, country, and world.

Delusions and Grandeur at Durham Fringe Festival

See Karen Hall perform at the Durham Fringe Festival from 23 to 27 July. She’ll play Bach's Suite Number One in G Major and share hilarious pieces from her Idiot classes. Expect a mix of comedy and heartfelt moments as Karen explores identity, expectations, and success through the lens of a fool.

Ayclive Festival

Ayclive Festival returns for its third year, now a two-day event on 25 to 26 July. The festival is held in Newton Aycliffe and visitors will be in for a weekend of music, community, and family fun. This year's festival promises to be bigger and better, packed with unforgettable experiences, local spirit and entertainment!

Hardwick Festival

Hardwick Festival returns on the 15 to 17 August for its 11th year! This 3-day event will have performances across multiple stages with international headliners like Scissor Sisters, Pet Shop Boys, and Olly Murs, plus rising stars.

Derwent Fest 2025 

Derwent Fest returns to Derwent Waterside Park, Consett, on 15 to 16 August with music, tributes, and twilight skies. Headlined by Sam OfFender, enjoy a journey through the decades. Partnering with Emmaus North East, the event raises money through pre-loved festival fashion and hosts games and activities to support regional homelessness charity work.

Singing Break at Auckland Palace

Enjoy an inspiring weekend of singing with Joanna Forbes l'Estrange at Auckland Palace. Participants will have the opportunity to sing Joanna's major new work based on Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, then take part in Evensong and Eucharist at St Peter's Chapel concluding with a tour of the Spanish Gallery on 10 October.

Embrace your love of music and dance and make one of our events part of a great getaway in the Culture County.