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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: 118

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  1. One of the displays at the Shildon Brick Show Locomotion

    Add Shildon Brick Show at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Shildon Brick Show at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Feast your eyes on a fantastic array of intricate LEGO® creations at this year's Shildon Brick Show.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for Shildon Brick Show at Locomotion
  2. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Halloween Forest Club - Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Halloween Forest Club - Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Sedgefield

    Halloween Forest Club is a hands-on experience designed to engage children about the natural world around them, aimed at children between 2 and 6 years of age. This session will include having a go at toasting a marshmallow on a fire. Outdoor…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Halloween Forest Club - Hardwick Park
  3. 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
  4. Father Christmas sitting in front of a Christmas Tree at Raby Castle

    Add Father Christmas at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    ​​​​​​Experience the Magic of Christmas with Father Christmas in Raby Castle’s Barons’ Hall.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025
    From:
    29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025
    From:
    6 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025
    From:
    13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025
    From:
    19 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Father Christmas at Raby Castle
  5. All Hallows' Eve, Ushaw illuminated with pumpkins at night.

    Add All Hallows’ Eve: Illuminated Trail at Ushaw to your Itinerary

    All Hallows’ Eve: Illuminated Trail at Ushaw

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Durham

    Our Illuminated Trail is back! Step through the stone gates and leave the everyday behind… if you dare. This spooky season, Ushaw’s historic grounds transform into a haunting illuminated trail, filled with wonder, mystery, and a touch of fright.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2025to1 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for All Hallows’ Eve: Illuminated Trail at Ushaw
  6. Baubles decorated with Nightmare Before Christmas images.

    Add Nightmare Before Christmas Baubles Craft Workshop to your Itinerary

    Nightmare Before Christmas Baubles Craft Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us and Craftily Ever After for a Nightmare Before Christmas inspired craft workshop.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Nightmare Before Christmas Baubles Craft Workshop
  7. A decorated pumpkin and candles

    Add Little Ones Pumpkin Painting at Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Little Ones Pumpkin Painting at Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop

    Celebrate the autumn season with a fun and creative pumpkin painting workshop!

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2025to26 Oct 2025Open 11:00 - 14:00
    More info for Little Ones Pumpkin Painting at Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  8. 'Cinderella' glass slipper and snowflakes.

    Add Cinderella Family Show - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa to your Itinerary

    Cinderella Family Show - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    A festive family day out packed with sparkle, songs and silliness. Cinderella brings all the magic of a traditional pantomime, with dazzling costumes, energetic performances and plenty of laughs for kids and grown-ups alike.
    Arrival: 11:30 | Lunch:…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Cinderella Family Show - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa
  9. Silhouettes of bats and pumpkins and text which reads, 'Big Science, Happy Halloween.'

    Add Big "Spooky" Science - Spooky Sherbet, Dancing Mini Brains & Flying Ghosts to your Itinerary

    Big "Spooky" Science - Spooky Sherbet, Dancing Mini Brains & Flying Ghosts

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Lanchester

    Spooky Sherbet, Dancing Mini Brains & Flying Ghosts. Join us for a session of  Big 'Spooky' Science where every child will take part in some hands on creepy science experiments.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Big "Spooky" Science - Spooky Sherbet, Dancing Mini Brains & Flying Ghosts
  10. Cupcakes decorated in pink and green with a witch's hat and wand

    Add Wickedly Good Cupcakes Masterclass to your Itinerary

    Wickedly Good Cupcakes Masterclass

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Lanchester

    Join us and Craftily Ever After for our Wickedly Good Cupcakes Masterclass where Madame M leads the decoration of 2 Wickedly good cupcakes along with container decoration to take your creations home.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2025Open 09:30 - 10:15
    More info for Wickedly Good Cupcakes Masterclass
  11. 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
  12. A photo of Santa Claus, and a child wearing a Christmas hat.

    Add Winter Wonderland - Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    Winter Wonderland - Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Brasside, Durham

    Winter Wonderland is back for 2025 at Adventure Valley! From the 29th November to the 21st December – Each Weekend AND the 22nd, 23rd December & 24th December. In the ‘Christmas week’.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    22 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Winter Wonderland - Adventure Valley
  13. Painting of Old Locomotive Engine Wylam Coll from the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University

    Add S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    This special exhibition explores the inextricable link between coal mining and the railways.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution
  14. Santa greeting visitors aboard the Santa Express

    Add Santa Express at Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Santa Express at Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Station Road, Stanhope

    Santa Express returns to Weardale Railway this Christmas.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Santa Express at Weardale Railway
  15. People looking at the exhibition display stand at Locomotion

    Add S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Home to one of largest collections of historic rail vehicles in the world, Locomotion is pulling out all the stops to commemorate S&DR200.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Feb 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. A spooky staircase in Raby Castle

    Add Hauntings and Happenings Family Evening Tour at Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Hauntings and Happenings Family Evening Tour at Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop

    Join us for a special spooky family tour of Raby Castle …with a difference! Bring your own torch and our knowledgeable guides will escort you through some of our favourite rooms in the castle at twilight.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2025to1 Nov 2025Open 16:00 - 17:00
    More info for Hauntings and Happenings Family Evening Tour at Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  19. A girl meets Santa, Christmas Tree and fireplace

    Add Christmas Family Fun Day to your Itinerary

    Christmas Family Fun Day

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Belmont, Durham

    Emmanuel Church's free Christmas Family Fun Day returns on Saturday 6 December, at The Durham Centre, Belmont Industrial Estate, from 1.30-4.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 13:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Family Fun Day
  20. St Peter's Chapel at Auckland Palace

    Add Christmas Carol Service - The Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    Christmas Carol Service - The Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Market Place, Bishop Auckland

    Join us for a magical evening of festive cheer at the historic St Peter’s Chapel, as Revd Dr Chris Knights, Chaplain to the Bishop of Durham, leads a heartwarming carol service filled with seasonal favourites.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 15:00 - 15:50
    More info for Christmas Carol Service - The Auckland Palace
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