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You are here > Home > What's On > Family Events

Family Events

For guaranteed fun for all the family check out our list of events taking place across the county.

Whether you are looking for things on this weekend, or looking for what's on today, we have all the amazing events for a great days out with the kids.

Create lasting memories with your loved ones at Durham's family-friendly events. Explore a diverse array of kid-friendly activities, family festivals, and interactive outings that cater to all ages. From educational workshops to entertaining performances, Durham offers a vibrant calendar of events designed to bring families together. Stay informed about the latest family-friendly happenings, and plan your weekends with the exciting array of cultural and recreational activities that Durham has to offer.

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Number of results: 86

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  1. Painting of Old Locomotive Engine Wylam Coll from the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University

    Add S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    This special exhibition explores the inextricable link between coal mining and the railways.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution
  2. Children in Hamsterley Forest searching for stick characters on The Stickman Man Trail. Credit Forestry England Crown Copyright

    Add The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Families can join a new forest adventure as the much-loved character Stick Man, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, returns to Forestry England Hamsterley.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2025to31 Jan 2026
    More info for The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  3. Artist Dinah Kelly in her studio

    Add Enchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile Phone to your Itinerary

    Enchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile Phone

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham City

    Contemporary artist Dinah Kelly shines a light on the protective powers and symbolism of charms, talismans and amulets.

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2025to9 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Enchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile Phone
  4. Jack and the Beanstalk written in Gold on a green background

    Add Jack and the Beanstalk - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Jack and the Beanstalk - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Durham City

    Join Jack and his friends as we are transported to a land of magical creatures and a very hungry Giant.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Jack and the Beanstalk - Gala Durham
  5. Spooky family with bats - Cliffecon Halloween Edition

    Add Cliffecon - Halloween Edition at Oak Leaf Sports Complex to your Itinerary

    Cliffecon - Halloween Edition at Oak Leaf Sports Complex

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Newton Aycliffe

    Cliffecon Halloween Edition will be taking place on Saturday 25th October 2025 at Oakleaf Sports Complex.
    You can expect all the delicious geekiness of Cliffecon but with a spooky twist!

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2025Open 10:30 - 16:00
    More info for Cliffecon - Halloween Edition at Oak Leaf Sports Complex
  6. Classic MG Car on Display at Durham University Botanic Garden

    Add MG Car Display - Durham University Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    MG Car Display - Durham University Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham

    The Durham MG & Classic Car Club was formed in 2001 for local car enthusiasts interested in MG cars, both classic and modern. This informal gathering will showcase cars representing models produced from the late 1940s through to the early 2000s.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 15:00
    More info for MG Car Display - Durham University Botanic Garden
  7. Queen Elsa, Princess Anna & Holly the Elf

    Add Frozen Princess Party - The Manor House Hotel & Spa to your Itinerary

    Frozen Princess Party - The Manor House Hotel & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    Join us in The Great Hall of Arendelle for Afternoon Tea where we will meet Queen Elsa, Princess Anna & Holly the elf

    Dates

    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 15:00 - 19:00
    More info for Frozen Princess Party - The Manor House Hotel & Spa
  8. A wooden carving of the Buddhist figure of Guanyin

    Add The Path of Kindness at The Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    The Path of Kindness at The Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Discover the latest scientific research we've been doing on a very special statue of Guanyin and use your imagination to recreate how it might have looked like 500 years ago.

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for The Path of Kindness at The Oriental Museum
  9. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Step into Storytime: The Three Little Pigs - Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Step into Storytime: The Three Little Pigs - Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sedgefield

    Outdoor discover sessions involving storytelling, crafts activities, interactive trails, games and woodland play.

    Dates

    From:
    5 July 2025Open 10:00 - 13:00
    More info for Step into Storytime: The Three Little Pigs - Hardwick Park
  10. Two princesses entertaining families at Tweddle Farm.

    Add Princesses & Superheroes - Tweddle Children's Animal Farm to your Itinerary

    Princesses & Superheroes - Tweddle Children's Animal Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Blackhall Colliery

    Join us for a magical day as Princesses and Heroes take over the farm! Dress up as your favourite character and join in with their exciting performances. Face painting will be available throughout the day free of charge!

    Dates

    From:
    2 Aug 2025to3 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Princesses & Superheroes - Tweddle Children's Animal Farm
  11. Taylor Swift lookalike in a cowgirl hat and silver platforms.

    Add Swift-Tea Party - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Swift-Tea Party - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bargate Bank, Lanchester

    Join us this "Cruel Summer" for our very first Swift-Tea - with live singing, games, dance competitions and of course meet & greet with photo opportunities.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Aug 2025Open 17:30 - 19:00
    More info for Swift-Tea Party - Lanchester Garden Centre
  12. Vintage Sports Car with church in the background

    Add Vintage & Classic Sports Car Day to your Itinerary

    Vintage & Classic Sports Car Day

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    Vintage and Classic Sports Car Day in the grounds of Brancepeth Castle.

    Venue

    St Brandon's Church, Brancepeth

    Dates

    From:
    9 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Vintage & Classic Sports Car Day
  13. People looking at the exhibition display stand at Locomotion

    Add S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Home to one of largest collections of historic rail vehicles in the world, Locomotion is pulling out all the stops to commemorate S&DR200.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Feb 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion
  14. Locomotive pulling a coach pulling a crowd of people

    Add S&DR200 Celebrating Railways: Past, Present and Future at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 Celebrating Railways: Past, Present and Future at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    The highlight of the anniversary year will be Rail Futures, a celebratory festival taking place in late September and early October.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Sept 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for S&DR200 Celebrating Railways: Past, Present and Future at Locomotion
  15. The Bowes Museum and grounds

    Add LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Explore The Bowes Museum’s collection through a different lens and learn about the stories and emotions objects hold through the lived experiences of those who identify as LGBTQIA+.

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum
  16. Modern Japanese bluish glass sculpture with a design based on ancient form.

    Add Exploring Ancient Japan at The Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Exploring Ancient Japan at The Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Learn about prehistoric Japan and make a clay dogu figure.

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Exploring Ancient Japan at The Oriental Museum
  17. AGLOW advertising poster with a child looking up to the nights sky with AGLOW illuminated in colours

    Add AGLOW - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    AGLOW - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Auckland Palace's dazzling light trail AGLOW will light up the skies of Bishop Auckland once again this Christmas.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for AGLOW - The Auckland Project
  18. Artwork relating to beasts and legends on display at Palace Green Library. Silhouette of knights and dragons.

    Add Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore to your Itinerary

    Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    This family friendly exhibition features a selection of artefacts from across the Durham University collections to help tell the stories of local folktales. 

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2025to2 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore
  19. a diver under the surface of the ocean

    Add Sunken Shipwrecks at The Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Sunken Shipwrecks at The Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Hunt for the Tek Sing shipwreck and learn how underwater archaeologists study shipwrecks.

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Sunken Shipwrecks at The Oriental Museum
  20. Four steam engines at Tanfield

    Add Railway 200: Diesel Pioneers Gala at Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Railway 200: Diesel Pioneers Gala at Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Marley Hill, Tanfield

    Join us this September for the Diesel Pioneers Gala, a standout event in our Tanfield300 celebrations! Taking place on the 20th and 21st of September 2025, this gala is a tribute to the industrial diesel locomotives that played a vital role in…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025to21 Sept 2025
    More info for Railway 200: Diesel Pioneers Gala at Tanfield Railway
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