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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: 95

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  1. Santa giving a present to a small child in front of two ornate Christmas trees

    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. Cherish and create new family traditions with a special visit to see Father Christmas at Raby Castle. Bells will ring and footmen will guide you up to the…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Father Christmas at Raby Castle
  2. Landscape view of Raby Castle with the open starry sky

    Add Stargazing at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Stargazing at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Staindrop

    History Meets The Heavens. Step Into the Past… and Look to the Stars. Experience the magic of the night sky in one of the North East’s most iconic settings. Set within the historic grounds of Raby Castle, this unique stargazing event pairs centuries…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026
    From:
    9 Jan 2027
    From:
    13 Feb 2027
    More info for Stargazing at Raby Castle
  3. A scene from The Nutcracker ballet of a dancer looking up, with their back to the stage with their arm elegantly raised at a large christmas tree.

    Add The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker to your Itinerary

    The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    At a cosy Christmas party, young Clara meets the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer, who gives her a nutcracker doll. When the guests have departed and the house is asleep, Clara sneaks downstairs in search of the doll. Instead, she finds…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2026Open 19:15 -
    More info for The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
  4. Member of Beamish Museum staff with a Nutcracker figure and festive decorations in the background.

    Add Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Experience the magic of a traditional Christmas through time at Beamish.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026
    More info for Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  5. A festive wreath and red baubles hanging down, decorate a poster which readss 'Christmas Big Sing with Forget Me Not Singers.'

    Add Christmas Big Sing to your Itinerary

    Christmas Big Sing

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    All are welcome to this year's Christmas Sing-A-Long with Forget Me Nots (Dementia Friendly Singers)

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Big Sing
  6. An adult holding a baby in festive clothes, looking at a light installation of a bear.

    Add AGLOW 2026 - Auckland Palace and Gardens to your Itinerary

    AGLOW 2026 - Auckland Palace and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Bishop Auckland’s AGLOW light trail is alive!  
    Walk in wonder through one and a half magical miles of light and sound. Imagine a place where an ancient palace overlooks 150 acres of Deer Park that, as the sun sets, comes alive with wonderful lights…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027Open 16:30 - 19:30
    More info for AGLOW 2026 - Auckland Palace and Gardens
  7. The Snowman with Live Brass Band. The Snowman and the boy, in his dressing gown, flying through the night sky. © Snowman Enterprises Limited

    Add The Snowman with Live Brass Band - Redhills Durham Miners Hall to your Itinerary

    The Snowman with Live Brass Band - Redhills Durham Miners Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Flass Street, Durham

    Fly away on a magical journey with The Snowman…
    After the snow settles on a cold winter’s day, a little boy builds a Snowman. Later that night, under the glittering stars, the Snowman comes to life! Together they fly through the night sky on a…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026Open 15:00 - 16:30
    More info for The Snowman with Live Brass Band - Redhills Durham Miners Hall
  8. Small colourful squares with snowflakes, trees, presents and hot chocolates inside on a white background.

    Add Early Festive Farmers & Indie Market to your Itinerary

    Early Festive Farmers & Indie Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Middleton-In-Teesdale

    Skip the corporate aisles & support the region's finest independent makers, farmers & creatives... we bring you 100% authentic local talent! From fresh regional food and drink to high quality handcrafted gifts. Come along - shop & scoff in the…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026Open 09:00 - 14:00
    More info for Early Festive Farmers & Indie Market
  9. Santa and his helpers aboard the train.

    Add Santa Express - Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Santa Express - Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland,

    Santa Express – A Magical Christmas Journey. Create unforgettable Christmas memories aboard the Santa Express at Weardale Railway. Running on selected dates throughout November and December, this festive heritage train departs from Stanhope Station…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 09:30 - 18:00
    More info for Santa Express - Weardale Railway
  10. Children wearing woolly jumpers and hats, walking through a winter forest trail

    Add The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail to your Itinerary

    The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Step into a world of festive wonder this Christmas with the Enchanted Christmas Trail at The Plotters’ Forest, located within the stunning surroundings of Raby Castle, Park & Gardens. Twinkling lights, joyful music, and magical touches throughout…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027Various Opening Times
    More info for The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail
  11. An illustrated poster for A Christmas Carol, with Scrooge in a top hat.

    Add A Christmas Carol with Alfie Joey - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    A Christmas Carol with Alfie Joey - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bearpark, Durham

    This December, feel the chill of Christmas past, the urgency of the present, and the hope of a future redeemed as Alfie Joe, performs his own solo version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; a timeless tale, told like you’ve never seen it…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026
    More info for A Christmas Carol with Alfie Joey - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  12. 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
  13. Santa Claus is reading a story to a group of children.

    Add Santa Comes to Lunch to your Itinerary

    Santa Comes to Lunch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Carville, Durham

    Bring the magic of Christmas to life with Santa lunch - the perfect festive family treat and a wonderful way to celebrate the season together. Enjoy a delicious two-course lunch from 12 noon, while the children are delighted by face painting,…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026Open 11:30 - 16:00
    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 11:30 - 16:00
    More info for Santa Comes to Lunch
  14. A silhouette of a person against a bright moon, the person is looking confidently to the right and holding a polkadot sack on a stick over their shoul

    Add Dick Whittington to your Itinerary

    Dick Whittington

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Consett

    This family pantomime and much-loved fairy tale is brought to life with song, fun, frolics and comedy by local amateur CBS Theatre Group. Dick Whittington arrives in London to seek his fame and fortune and sets off on a wild adventure where he…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Jan 2027to16 Jan 2027Various Opening Times
    More info for Dick Whittington
  15. 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
  16. A vintage Starwars poster witg many iconic characters, with the text 'May The Toys Be With You' in the yellow starwars font, on a black background.

    Add May The Toys Be With You to your Itinerary

    May The Toys Be With You

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Darlington

    From a galaxy far, far away to Hopetown Darlington, celebrate 50 years of Star Wars with one of the UK's finest collections of vintage toys, original cinema posters and memorabilia.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Jan 2027to21 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for May The Toys Be With You
  17. Close up view of Santa's hand holding a teacup with his little finger pointing out, in front of a plate of croissants.

    Add Breakfast with Santa - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Santa - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Consett

    Ho ho ho! Santa’s coming to town!
    Come and enjoy breakfast with Father Christmas this festive season at Empire Consett where young ones can receive a present and enjoy a light breakfast of toast and pastries with juice or water. Accompanying adults…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 11:30 - 13:00
    From:
    24 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:30
    More info for Breakfast with Santa - Empire Consett
  18. Father Christmas sitting in an armchair greeting a young family in the cafe

    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

    Stanley

    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:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    More info for Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  19. A collage of images of children and adults smiling at illuminated installations. A whimsical font which reads 'Forest of Light.'

    Add Forest of Light 2026 to your Itinerary

    Forest of Light 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Winter Festival

    Stanley

    At night, when the moon takes its place in the sky our Forest of Light comes to life. Our Forest of Light is a captivating illuminated experience set within our enchanted ancient woodland. We have created a world filled with illuminations, music,…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to22 Nov 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00
    From:
    27 Nov 2026to29 Nov 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00
    From:
    4 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00
    From:
    11 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026
    From:
    27 Dec 2026to31 Dec 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00
    More info for Forest of Light 2026
  20. An adult and child browsing through a Christmas market.

    Add Christmas Fair 2026 - Beamish Hall Country Hotel to your Itinerary

    Christmas Fair 2026 - Beamish Hall Country Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    A triple festive treat shopping extravaganza. See the Hall at its fabulously festive best and peruse the stalls displaying their specialist wares from pretty ornaments and gifts to scrumptious treats and drinks! Escape the hustle and bustle of the…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Nov 2026to15 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Fair 2026 - Beamish Hall Country Hotel
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