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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: 49

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  1. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham city.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Between 29th July and 2nd August 2026, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts.  Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and…

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival 2026
  2. Children attending an event at The Bowes Museum.

    Add Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Step into the world of Vivienne Westwood, the ultimate rule-breaker of fashion, in a family-friendly tour that brings her exhibition to life.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Apr 2026
    From:
    26 May 2026to27 May 2026
    More info for Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum
  3. Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Add Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Chester-Le-Street

    Lumley Castle Hotel at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will be the backdrop for Opulence, running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September.

    While the big-name performers are not being unveiled until later this month, organisers have promised it will…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026
    More info for Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel
  4. Illustration of a tractor mowing a lawn against a background of blue sky, sunshine and fluffy white clouds.

    Add Little Farmers: Bonny Babies - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Little Farmers: Bonny Babies - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Little Farmers: Baby Sensory Experience at The Paddocks

    Dates

    From:
    4 May 2026to18 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:30
    From:
    1 June 2026to29 June 2026Open 11:30 - 15:30
    More info for Little Farmers: Bonny Babies - High Farm Holiday Park
  5. A child holding a reptile.

    Add Exotic Animals at The Paddocks with Leon's Exotics to your Itinerary

    Exotic Animals at The Paddocks with Leon's Exotics

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    Exciting News: Leon's Exotics is Coming to The Paddocks!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Exotic Animals at The Paddocks with Leon's Exotics
  6. Crowds gather in rainbow colours to celebrate Durham Pride.

    Add Durham Pride 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Pride 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Don't miss out on this opportunity to show your support and have a great time with friends and family. See you there!

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026
    More info for Durham Pride 2026
  7. Little Farmers - Tiny Tots. Illustration of a tractor on a hill against a background of blue sky and sunshine.

    Add Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Little Farmers: Toddler Sensory Experience at The Paddocks.

    Dates

    From:
    4 May 2026to18 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:30
    From:
    1 June 2026to29 June 2026Open 11:30 - 15:30
    More info for Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park
  8. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026 to your Itinerary

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into Kynren, a live action outdoor theatre spectacular that immerses you in 2000 years of history on an epic scale.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026
  9. Darlington and Durham Running Day

    Add Darlington and Durham Running Day to your Itinerary

    Darlington and Durham Running Day

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Newton Aycliffe,

    Darlington & Durham Running Day 2026 — a fantastic celebration of classic and modern buses, transport heritage, and community fun!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Darlington and Durham Running Day
  10. A fairground on the street.

    Add Sacriston Party in the Park to your Itinerary

    Sacriston Party in the Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sacriston

    Free community fun day including fairground rides, inflatables, climbing wall, face-painting & much more!

    Dates

    From:
    6 June 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Sacriston Party in the Park
  11. Ariel view of Wolsingham Show

    Add Wolsingham Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    Wolsingham Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Wolsingham

    Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Wolsingham Show 2026
  12. Beakers and a frothing container - science experiments.

    Add Big Science - St Johns Hall Meadowfield to your Itinerary

    Big Science - St Johns Hall Meadowfield

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Meadowfield

    Science experiments for over 5's.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 12:15
    More info for Big Science - St Johns Hall Meadowfield
  13. The Flying Scotsman Locomotive in front of Locomotion, Shildon

    Add The Railway Garden - Easter at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    The Railway Garden - Easter at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Shildon

    Easter holiday activities celebrating nature and the railways.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for The Railway Garden - Easter at Locomotion
  14. The Plotters' Forest Mischievous Rabbit Trail - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Add The Plotters' Forest Mischievous Rabbit Trail - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Plotters' Forest Mischievous Rabbit Trail - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Staindrop

    Families are invited to pick up a trail sheet at the entrance and embark on an exciting adventure through our Christmas Tree plantation. As you explore the winding paths, look for giant, colourful eggs hidden along the way. It’s the perfect outdoor…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to19 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Plotters' Forest Mischievous Rabbit Trail - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  15. A scarecrow in the grounds of South Causey Inn

    Add Scarecrow Festival at South Causey to your Itinerary

    Scarecrow Festival at South Causey

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Stanley

    Explore our grounds as they come to life with handcrafted scarecrows, each with its own character and charm.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Scarecrow Festival at South Causey
  16. Crowds enjoy show jumping at Weardale Show.

    Add 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    St. Johns Chapel

    The Weardale Show returns on Saturday 29th August 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026
    More info for 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026
  17. Rosettes from the Durham County Show

    Add The Durham County Show to your Itinerary

    The Durham County Show

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    nr Thornley

    The Annual Durham County Show is a vibrant event featuring a variety of activities and attractions for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for The Durham County Show
  18. Durham World Heritage site, Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle and surrounding woodland.

    Add Durham World Heritage Day 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham World Heritage Day 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Celebrate World Heritage Day on Saturday 18 April at Durham Castle & Cathedral WHS with The People’s Story.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 09:30 - 16:00
    More info for Durham World Heritage Day 2026
  19. Trains at Locomotion

    Add Festival of Steam at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Festival of Steam at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    A celebration of steam traction, featuring storytelling with Caroline Hardie.

    Dates

    From:
    2 May 2026to4 May 2026
    More info for Festival of Steam at Locomotion
  20. Trains at Locomotion

    Add Pride at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Pride at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Celebrating diversity in partnership with Durham Pride, including our Trainbow craft activity.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026
    More info for Pride at Locomotion
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