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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: 75

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  1. 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
  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. 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
  4. Silhouette of a person photographing The Milky Way from the hillside

    Add Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Due to popular demand, we have laid on this exclusive event to educate the little ones on all things spacey!

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    10 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    7 Feb 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
  5. 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
  6. A Christmas evening at Beamish Museum with a vintage car and Christmas lights

    Add Christmas Evenings at Beamish to your Itinerary

    Christmas Evenings at Beamish

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Immerse yourself in an extra-special enchanting evening at Beamish. Enjoy twinkling lights, festive entertainment, and seasonal treats under the night sky.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2025to5 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    11 Dec 2025to12 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    18 Dec 2025to19 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:30
    More info for Christmas Evenings at Beamish
  7. A staff member in a black top hat, posing for a photo with five children.

    Add Home Educators' Day December 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Home Educators' Day December 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    Our next Home Educators’ Day takes place on Wednesday, 10th December 2025. There are a range of bookable workshops and drop-in activities for you to try during your visit.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Dec 2025
    More info for Home Educators' Day December 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. Photography by Claire Collinson. Larger-than-life, soft recreations of an animal

    Add Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    See the museum’s renowned ceramic collection re-imagined into a vibrant and interactive experience for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum
  11. Pockerley at Beamish with three people dressed in period dress

    Add Pockerley 30th Anniversary Celebrations at Beamish to your Itinerary

    Pockerley 30th Anniversary Celebrations at Beamish

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Stanley

    To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening of Pockerley Old Hall, the museum will hold 30 activities at Pockerley between 17th May and 31st December 2025.

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Pockerley 30th Anniversary Celebrations at Beamish
  12. 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
  13. A baby's fingers curled around their parent's hand.

    Add Causey’s Christmas Family Mornings at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Causey’s Christmas Family Mornings at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    A magical morning of play, festive fun, and Christmas memories for families and little ones....

    Dates

    From:
    26 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Causey’s Christmas Family Mornings at South Causey Inn
  14. Crowds enjoying fairground rides and performances in Sacriston.

    Add Sacriston Christmas Extravaganza - The Fulforth Centre to your Itinerary

    Sacriston Christmas Extravaganza - The Fulforth Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Sacriston

    FREE Christmas Light-switch On! Fairground rides, stage performances & visit Santa in his grotto - all free! Cafe, raffle & tombola inside the community centre.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Nov 2025Open 16:00 - 19:00
    More info for Sacriston Christmas Extravaganza - The Fulforth Centre
  15. Four friends enjoying festive drinks at The Bowes Museum Winter Market. ©TheBowesMuseum

    Add The Bowes Museum Winter Market to your Itinerary

    The Bowes Museum Winter Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Barnard Castle

    The galleries and grounds of the French styled Museum in Barnard Castle are once again set to come alive with the sights, sounds and smells of the season as the highly anticipated annual Winter Market returns from Friday 12th  December until Sunday…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Bowes Museum Winter Market
  16. Large Christmas Tree at Raby Castle

    Add Raby Castle at Christmas to your Itinerary

    Raby Castle at Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Step back in time to experience a traditional family Christmas at Raby Castle.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025
    From:
    28 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025
    From:
    3 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025
    From:
    10 Dec 2025to13 Dec 2025
    From:
    14 Dec 2025
    From:
    17 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
    From:
    29 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    2 Jan 2026to4 Jan 2026
    More info for Raby Castle at Christmas
  17. 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
  18. South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Add South Causey Monthly Dog Walk to your Itinerary

    South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Dog-Friendly

    STANLEY

    Join the South Causey Dog Walking Club every 1st Saturday of the month at 10 am for a picturesque stroll through the beautiful Beamish Valley. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  19. Durham Miners' Gala. Crowds enjoying the Gala outside of the County Hotel. Colliery Banners can be seen as the Bands march through the streets.

    Durham Miners' Gala 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham City

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns on 11th July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026
    More info for Durham Miners' Gala 2026
  20. Close up of Santa's legs sitting on a chair.

    Add Santa's Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto to your Itinerary

    Santa's Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus in Our Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto – A Magical Experience for Neurodiverse Children.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Santa's Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto
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