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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: 48

, currently showing 21 to 40.

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  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Two children running towards Raby Castle.

    Add Hoppingly Brilliant Easter Plans - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Hoppingly Brilliant Easter Plans - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Staindrop

    Durham’s Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has hopped into Easter 2026 with an eggs-ceedingly exciting selection of events.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Hoppingly Brilliant Easter Plans - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  4. 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
  5. Exterior photo of Locomotion Shildon

    Add Easter Adventures at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Easter Adventures at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Shildon

    We are taking inspiration from our Railway Garden this Easter break, with lots of fun, nature-themed activities for families.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Easter Adventures at Locomotion
  6. Durham Brass Festival logo on colourful backdrop of Durham.

    Durham Brass Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    BRASS is back in 2026 with a fantastic programme of brass-inspired events coming to Durham from 12 - 19 July. 

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to19 July 2026
    More info for Durham Brass Festival 2026
  7. Rapunzel written in gold on a purple background.

    Add Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime to your Itinerary

    Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Durham City

    In the dark, tangled forest of Hamsterley stands a mysterious tower, locals swear they can hear beautiful singing drifting through the trees, a voice so pure it stops even the bravest woodcutter in their tracks.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Nov 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime
  8. People wearing gloves, and mixing purple bath bombs at Lanchester Garden Centre.

    Add Children's Easter Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Children's Easter Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Lanchester

    Easter Bath Bomb Workshop – Creative Fun for Kids!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    More info for Children's Easter Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  9. 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:
    11 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Exotic Animals at The Paddocks with Leon's Exotics
  10. 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
  11. A Witch and a cat riding a broom.  Room on the Broom © 2001 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

    Add Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Redford, Hamsterley Forest

    This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun. 

    Dates

    From:
    28 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. Big Science - illustration of an explosion and test tubes.

    Add Big "Chocolate" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Big "Chocolate" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Lanchester

    Join us for our Big "Chocolate" Science Easter Workshop where each child gets to make their own Easter Chocolate as we explore States of Matter.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Big "Chocolate" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  17. Teams of eight racing at Durham Regatta on a beautiful sunny day against the backdrop of Durham Cathedral and Castle.

    Add The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026 to your Itinerary

    The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Old Elvet, Durham City

    Join us for a spectacular weekend of racing and bank-side entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026to14 June 2026
    More info for The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026
  18. 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
  19. Two children with the Easter Bunny who is carrying a basket full of chocolate eggs.

    Add Easter at Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    Easter at Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Brasside, Durham

    Adventure Valley in Durham is preparing to welcome families once again for its exciting ‘Easter Holidays’ event. Running from Friday 3rd April until Sunday 19th April 2026 inclusive, the springtime celebration promises a full day of adventure,…

    Dates

    From:
    3 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Easter at Adventure Valley
  20. Image of a group of people at a Durham Book Festival event who are seated and clapping.

    Durham Book Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Durham Book Festival

    Durham

    The Durham Book Festival takes place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, celebrating the power of the written word.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Oct 2026to11 Oct 2026
    More info for Durham Book Festival 2026
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