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Kids playing at Lumiere Durham

You are here > Home > What's On

Durham, The Culture County

From world-class festivals and exciting events, to incredible cultural developments, community arts activities and vibrant venues – Durham is The Culture County.

unmissable festivals & events

Image of a cathedral vibrantly lit - Science by Luxmuralis.

Science by Luxmuralis - Durham Cathedral

Openings

Season

11th October 2023-15th October 2023
Durham Book Festival Logo 2023

Durham Book Festival 2023

Openings

Season

13th October 2023-15th October 2023
outer space galaxy

North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2023

Openings

2023

20th October 2023-5th November 2023
PrevPrev
  • 1Science by Luxmuralis - Durham Cathedral
  • 2Durham Book Festival 2023
  • 3North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2023
NextNext
  1. Spotlight On... Be Creative
    Spotlight On... Be Creative
    8 Creative Activities to try this Autumn in the Culture County.
  2. Halloween
    Halloween
    Discover ghoulishly great events taking place across Durham this Halloween.
  3. Festive Fun
    Festive Fun
    Find out what's happening this Christmas, from the traditional Durham Christmas Festival to the annual panto and festive craft workshops.
  4. Durham Gaia people walking around a planet in Durham Cathedral
    Autumn Highlights
    Enjoy a packed autumn of fun in Durham with events to enthral and excite the whole family.
  5. 2023 Unmissable Events
    2023 Unmissable Events
    Durham is home to world-class events, discover Durham’s most unmissable for 2023.
  6. Subscribe to the Durham Culture County e-newsletter
    Subscribe to the Durham Culture County e-newsletter
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This Month

Blacksmith Workshops at South Causey Inn. People enjoying the workshop on a sunny day.

Blacksmith Workshops - South Causey Inn

Image of someone clay pigeon shooting at South Causey Inn.

Clay Pigeon Shooting - South Causey Inn

Saturday Outdoor Market Vintage Stall

Saturday Outdoor Market

Locomotion's Innovation Platform exhibition

Innovation Platform - Locomotion

Little Treasures - The Bowes Museum

Early Birds - Locomotion

Exhibition: The Raby State Coach - Raby Castle

Sin: Exhibition organised by the National Gallery, London with The Auckland Project

The Hoosiers - Durham Cathedral

Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

Natalie Imbruglia - Durham Cathedral

Movie Nights on the Terrace at Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa

Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory

A Spanish Odyssey at Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa

World's Biggest Coffee Morning - Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa

Andy Parsons Bafflingly Optimistic - Gala Durham

Cathedral Secret Spaces Tour

Durham Ghost Walk

PrevPrev
  • 1Blacksmith Workshops - South Causey Inn
  • 2Clay Pigeon Shooting - South Causey Inn
  • 3Saturday Outdoor Market
  • 4Innovation Platform - Locomotion
  • 5Little Treasures - The Bowes Museum
  • 6Early Birds - Locomotion
  • 7Exhibition: The Raby State Coach - Raby Castle
  • 8Sin: Exhibition organised by the National Gallery, London with The Auckland Project
  • 9The Hoosiers - Durham Cathedral
  • 10Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
  • 11Natalie Imbruglia - Durham Cathedral
  • 12Movie Nights on the Terrace at Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa
  • 13Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory
  • 14A Spanish Odyssey at Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa
  • 15World's Biggest Coffee Morning - Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa
  • 16Andy Parsons Bafflingly Optimistic - Gala Durham
  • 17Cathedral Secret Spaces Tour
  • 18Durham Ghost Walk
NextNext
  • Gala Theatre

    Arts Venues

    Find Out More

  • Boy doing Arts & Crafts

    Arts Activities

    Find Out More

  • Durham19 Dance Events

    Dance

    Find Out More

  • Durham19 exhibitions

    Exhibitions

    Find Out More

  • Festivals in Durham

    Festivals

    Find Out More

  • Foodie Events

    Food & Drink

    Find Out More

  • music events

    Music

    Find Out More

  • Outdoors Activities in Durham

    Outdoors & Nature

    Find Out More

  • Theatre Events

    Theatre & Performance

    Find Out More

  • Sporting Events

    Sports

    Find Out More

Culture County Developments

  1. DLI Museum
    DLI Museum
    Plans to reopen the DLI Museum & Art Gallery are forging ahead, as proposals for the venue have been approved.
  2. The Story
    The Story
    Grade II listed Mount Oswald is being developed into an exciting new local history centre, exhibition and event space.
  3. Stockton and Darlington Railway 200th Anniversary
    Stockton and Darlington Railway 200th Anniversary
    As the cradle of the railways, Durham will play a key role in the historic celebrations and exciting programme.
  4. New Hall – Locomotion
    New Hall – Locomotion
    The museum is set to become home to the largest undercover collection of heritage rail vehicles in the world.
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Culture County blog

  • 10 unmissable fun activities in Durham this summer

    Children running in front of Raby Castle, County Durham

    Durham is the culture county, and the place to be this summer with a wonderful mix of fun activities. 

  • First look at the Lumiere Durham 2023 programme

    Illuminated Bottle Rack Artwork © Ai Weiwei; Courtesy of Ai Weiwei Studio

    Take a look at the first five artists announced for Lumiere, the UK's light art biennial. 

  • 8 Creative Activities to try this Autumn in the Culture County

    A close up image of a person using a pestle and mortar

    Durham is the culture county, and what better place than to try out a new activity.

    Check out our guide to 8 creative activities to try across Durham.  

    From creative writing to playing the ukulele and creating your own inventions, it’s all happening in the culture county!

  • The A - Z of Summer Holiday Ideas and Days Out in Durham

    The Bowes Museum

    Check out our A-Z guide of things to do this summer in Durham.

  • Discover Durham's Proud Mining Heritage

    the streets of durham city filled with people during the annual Durham Miners Gala

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns this July to Durham City but did you know as well as "The Big Meeting" there's lots of ways across the county to celebrate our proud mining heritage.   

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