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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: 56

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  1. 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
  2. Text 'Hopetown Comic Con' with Dr. Who's Tardis in the background.

    Add Hopetown Comic Con - Hopetown Darlington to your Itinerary

    Hopetown Comic Con - Hopetown Darlington

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Darlington

    Hopetown Comic Con – Doctor Who Themed Event. 

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Hopetown Comic Con - Hopetown Darlington
  3. Crowds of people at Seaham Food Festival with north sea visible in the background.

    Add Seaham Food Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Seaham Food Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Seaham

    The festival welcomes thousands of visitors each year for two days of sun, sea, family fun and, of course, food. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Seaham Food Festival 2026
  4. Child with dinosaur model at High Force Waterfall.

    Add May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Breathe in the fresh summer air and stomp into a prehistoric world of fun at High Force Hotel & Waterfall. Our brand‑new Discover Dinosaurs Trail is waiting for little explorers who love big adventures and fascinating history.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall
  5. A person is cooking over a fire outdoors, outside Beamish Museum's 1950s Farm

    Add Atchin-tan and Celebration of Gypsy Roma Traveller History at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Atchin-tan and Celebration of Gypsy Roma Traveller History at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Visit Beamish Museum for this special celebration of Gypsy Roma Traveller history.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Atchin-tan and Celebration of Gypsy Roma Traveller History at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  6. Three singers in traditional clothing, next to a Christmas tree, performing festive live music during Beamish Museum's Christmas Evenings.

    Add Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings to your Itinerary

    Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Beamish Museum Christmas Evening Tickets on Sale Soon!

    Dates

    From:
    3 Dec 2026to4 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    10 Dec 2026to11 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    17 Dec 2026to18 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    More info for Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings
  7. Explore a range of techniques and styles led by expert artists, designers and makers

    Add Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Join in and get creative at this hands-on workshop for children aged 5 and over.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to29 Aug 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum
  8. Child, sitting next to adult, engaging in science, technology, engineering and maths-related activities.

    Add Crank it Up! -  Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Crank it Up! - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    Join Beamish Museum for a host of science, technology, engineering and maths-related activities taking place over this special weekend!

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026
    More info for Crank it Up! - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  9. Creative workshops for children of all ages at The Bowes Museum this summer.

    Add Summer Holidays at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Summer Holidays at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    School's out! This summer, discover a packed programme of family-friendly activities inspired by the The Bowes Museum's collection, exhibitions and beautiful parkland.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to30 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Summer Holidays at The Bowes Museum
  10. 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
  11. outer space galaxy

    North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is returning for 2026 – running between Friday 16 October and Sunday 1 November.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026
  12. Free Family Fun Day Friday 31st July. Poster shows palm trees, beach balls, sunglasses and fair ground rides.

    Add Peterlee Free Summer Fun Day - Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch to your Itinerary

    Peterlee Free Summer Fun Day - Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Helford Road, Peterlee

    Free family fun day.

    Dates

    From:
    31 July 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Peterlee Free Summer Fun Day - Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch
  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. Italian vehicles on display at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add The Italian Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Italian Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Staindrop

    Italian Car Show 2026 in collaboration with Auto Italia Magazine.

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Italian Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  15. Two people working on a large fabric with colourful abstract patterns in blue, orange, and black lines. Focus is on fabric surface.

    Add Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Barnard Castle

    Inspired by Vivienne Westwood's iconic designs, Pattern and Protest invites participants to experiment with fabric by adding marks and messages to create their own bold response. Suitable for families with children aged 5+, the session encourages…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum
  16. A horse, carriage and two drivers compete in the Attelage event in front of the Fairground at Beamish Museum.

    Add Attelage Horse Weekend - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Attelage Horse Weekend - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    See a remarkable carriage driving competition by the Concours d'International d'Attelage de Tradition (CIAT) take place around the museum.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to19 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Attelage Horse Weekend - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  17. Heritage Open Days Logo

    Heritage Open Days 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026
    More info for Heritage Open Days 2026
  18. Forky Pen

    Add Forky Pens & Alien Goo Creations - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Forky Pens & Alien Goo Creations - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Lanchester

    Get ready for some Toy Story magic! Join us and Craftily Ever After for a hands‑on craft session where kids can make their own Forky Pen and mix up a pot of bright green Alien Slime. Creative, colourful, and full of character — the perfect family…

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2026Open 13:30 - 14:15
    More info for Forky Pens & Alien Goo Creations - Lanchester Garden Centre
  19. Cartoon image of the performance area with a stage, trees, hills and a yellow aeroplane with a banner with wording Derwent Fest!

    Add Derwent Fest 2026 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Edmundbyers

    A weekend festival of live tribute music, food and drink, and children’s activities and entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, and enjoy some fun, quality time together.

    Venue

    Derwent Waterside Park, Shotley Bridge

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026
    More info for Derwent Fest 2026
  20. Audience enjoying an evening outdoor theatre performance at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add Outdoor Cinema – Jurassic Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Outdoor Cinema – Jurassic Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Staindrop

    Welcome To Jurassic Park! A roarsome outdoor cinema experience at Raby Castle with a screening of Spielberg's dinosaur classic!

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026Open 18:30 - 22:00
    More info for Outdoor Cinema – Jurassic Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
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