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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: 76

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  1. Robin Hood - The Pantomime. Background shows stage curtain.

    Add Robin Hood Pantomime - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Robin Hood Pantomime - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    The Sheriff of Nottingham and Bad Prince John are up to their usual nasty tricks, and only Robin Hood and the Merry  Men and Women of Sherwood Forest can put a stop to their  wicked behaviour.  

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Robin Hood Pantomime - Lumley Castle Hotel
  2. 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
  3. Christmas Town at Bishop Auckland photo by Liam Dobinson

    Add Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into a world of festive wonder at Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town, 4-7 December 2025! Join us for four unforgettable days filled with twinkling lights, enchanting markets, live entertainment, and the magic of Santa’s Grotto.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025
    More info for Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town
  4. Santa placing presents under the tree.

    Add Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Share a magical morning with the big man himself! 
    We’ve  teamed up with Make My Day Events to bring you the ultimate  Christmas experience – a festive breakfast filled with sparkle,  songs, and a sprinkle of Santa magic.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    22 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    More info for Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel
  5. Children playing at The Bowes Museum

    Add Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Time for The Bowes’ youngest visitors to explore and play in the Conversation Gallery, investigate materials and be creative in this self-led, free-play session.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Jan 2025to8 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum
  6. Luxury Winter/Christmas Wax Melts decorated with festive botanicals, such as cinnamon sticks, dried oranges, cloves and star anise.

    Add Luxury Winter/Christmas Wax Melts Workshop & Festive Refreshments to your Itinerary

    Luxury Winter/Christmas Wax Melts Workshop & Festive Refreshments

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us this Festive season to make a beautiful set of Festive Christmas wax melt decorations with Bobella Co!

    Dates

    From:
    23 Nov 2025Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Luxury Winter/Christmas Wax Melts Workshop & Festive Refreshments
  7. Two elves laughing and playing with a snowball.

    Add Little Elves Christmas Hunt - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Little Elves Christmas Hunt - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Arrive at the castle and be greeted by our very own team of elves, then receive a castle map and clues. Head around the grounds solving riddles, collecting clues and finding all of Santa’s favourite festive friends. Make your way to the finishing…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Dec 2025to22 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Elves Christmas Hunt - Lumley Castle Hotel
  8. Cartoon painting of characters from children's animated films

    Add Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A free, community-led film club bringing people together through stories on screen. Each month we show a relaxed, family-friendly movie in the afternoon, followed by an early evening film for general audiences. Third Sunday of every month.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    13 Oct 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  9. Two children walking in a dark room at Raby Castle

    Add Horrible Histories Takeover at Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Horrible Histories Takeover at Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop

    Join us this autumn for a Horrible Histories takeover of Raby Castle! From 4th October to 9th November we’re turning back clock to the Measly Middle-Ages.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2025to9 Nov 2025
    More info for Horrible Histories Takeover at Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  10. 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
  11. Josef's restaurant at the Radisson Blu Durham

    Add Family Santa Sunday Lunch to your Itinerary

    Family Santa Sunday Lunch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    A relaxed family-friendly atmosphere, delicious food and a visit from the main man himself – Santa Claus will be delivering a selection box for the kids!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    More info for Family Santa Sunday Lunch
  12. Three Nightmare Before Christmas Jack in the Box toys.

    Add Nightmare Before Christmas Jack's Toy Jack in a Box Craft Workshop to your Itinerary

    Nightmare Before Christmas Jack's Toy Jack in a Box Craft Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    During this workshop you will be guided through the process to create your very own Nightmare Before Christmas Jack's Toy Jack in Box.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Nov 2025Open 14:45 - 15:45
    More info for Nightmare Before Christmas Jack's Toy Jack in a Box Craft Workshop
  13. 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
  14. Snowman animation on the big screen with a live orchestra.

    Add The Snowman with Live Orchestra to your Itinerary

    The Snowman with Live Orchestra

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Step into the wonder of the season with a heartwarming performance of The Snowman — perfect for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025
    More info for The Snowman with Live Orchestra
  15. The Grinch in front of a Christmas tree.

    Add Merry Grinchmas Breakfast - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Merry Grinchmas Breakfast - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us for a delicious cooked breakfast, fun and photos with your favourite green mischievous character that stole Christmas.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025Open 09:00 - 10:30
    More info for Merry Grinchmas Breakfast - Lanchester Garden Centre
  16. LGBTQIA+ Object Trail at The Bowes Museum

    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
  17. Arthur Christmas poster

    Add Grand Cinema at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Film

    Beamish

    Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our beautifully restored 1950s Grand Cinema.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025
    From:
    30 Nov 2025
    From:
    6 Dec 2025
    From:
    7 Dec 2025
    From:
    13 Dec 2025
    From:
    14 Dec 2025
    From:
    20 Dec 2025
    From:
    21 Dec 2025
    More info for Grand Cinema at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  18. Children and families enjoying the 'Forest of Light' at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Add Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Our Forest of Light is a captivating illuminated experience set within our enchanted ancient woodland.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
    More info for Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel
  19. Nightmare Before Christmas imagery on lanterns.

    Add Nightmare Before Christmas Lantern Craft Workshop to your Itinerary

    Nightmare Before Christmas Lantern Craft Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    During this workshop you will be guided through the process to create your very own Nightmare Before Christmas Lantern.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Nov 2025Open 11:45 - 12:15
    More info for Nightmare Before Christmas Lantern Craft Workshop
  20. Father Christmas waving from a carriage at Beamish Museum.

    Add Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Kick off your day with something magical. Join Father Christmas for breakfast in The Coffee Pot Café at the Entrance Building, before he heads off on his Christmas duties.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
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