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Events in Durham
Discover more of Durham’s packed calendar of festivals and events.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025, the nine-month S&DR200 Festival will take from March to November 2025, featuring steam train journeys, innovative exhibitions, visual arts and large-scale outdoor spectacles.- The region’s biggest food event has plenty on the menu every April, with celebrity chefs and workshops, local producers and exciting street food.
- The historic regatta returns to the River Wear in Durham City every June, with a spectacular weekend of racing and riverbank entertainment.
- The seaside foodie festival returns to the bustling town of Seaham every August with delicious street food, cookery classes, live music, TV chefs and tasty local produce.
- The annual 'Big Meeting' takes place on the second Saturday of July every year. The annual gathering has been held on the second Saturday of July since 1871.
- Durham’s loudest festival takes place every July, with brilliant bands and outstanding musicians from across the globe descending on the county, for a ten-day celebration.
- The award-winning night-time spectacular outdoor show takes place in the grounds of Auckland Castle every summer, on select Saturdays from July to September.
- Three rare Magna Cartas will go on display at Durham Cathedral this summer to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue in the cathedral's collection.
- Between 23rd and 27th July 2025, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts across nine Durham City Centre venues. Audiences will be invited to explore over 110 unique acts across a programme of 270+ performances. Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and children and youth shows.
- 23 Jul 202527 Jul 2025
- Celebrate farming life every September at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.
- Founded in 1990, Durham Book Festival is one of the country’s oldest literary festivals and takes place every October, with in-person and online events.
- Unlock the wonders of the night sky with 'out of this world' activities and events at the annual North Pennines Stargazing Festival during October half term.
- The UK’s light art biennial returns to Durham City every other November (due to return 2025) with a new programme of spectacular light artworks.
- Soak up the atmosphere at Durham City’s annual festive festival on the first weekend of December, with fabulous Christmas shopping, carol services, and live music.
