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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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  1. Buddy from the film Elf (2003) wearing a green festive outfit, smiling with his hands on his hips, on a white background

    Add Grand Cinema: Elf (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: Elf (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our beautifully restored 1950s Grand cinema. The Grand cinema, from Ryhope, in Sunderland, has been recreated and brought to life in our 1950s Town.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: Elf (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  2. The illustrated Snowman flying with a child.

    Add The Snowman with Live Orchestra - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Snowman with Live Orchestra - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    Step into the wonder of the season with a heartwarming performance of The Snowman — perfect for all ages. Enjoy a live orchestral accompaniment by the Durham Music Youth Orchestra as they bring the beloved animated film to life, complete with the…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026
    More info for The Snowman with Live Orchestra - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  3. Lush greenery and gardens surrounding a stone building

    Add Heritage Open Days - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Free entry to enjoy the beautiful gardens and Medieval Hall

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Crook Hall Gardens
  4. Poster for The Big Blaze, of a large bonfire with performers either side.

    Add The Big Blaze - Lintz Hall Farm to your Itinerary

    The Big Blaze - Lintz Hall Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Join us at Lintz Hall Farm For a Bonfire Spectacular! Expect a fun evening out for the whole family.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Nov 2026to7 Nov 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Big Blaze - Lintz Hall Farm
  5. A couple performing ballet on a festive stage

    Add Crown Ballet: The Nutcracker - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Crown Ballet: The Nutcracker - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Consett

    The beloved Christmas classic returns! After last year’s acclaimed tour, Crown Ballet® brings back its dazzling production of The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s timeless masterpiece.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Crown Ballet: The Nutcracker - Empire Consett
  6. Santa walking through train carriages.

    Add Father Christmas - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Shildon

    Make magical memories with your family this Christmas. Father Christmas and his cheerful elf are waiting to meet you in his cosy train carriage.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 13:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to14 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 13:00
    From:
    18 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 13:00
    More info for Father Christmas - Locomotion
  7. A child sitting on the ground toasting marshmallows, supervised by an adult - Forest School activities at St Johns Hall Meadowfield.

    Add Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield to your Itinerary

    Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Meadowfield

    Forest school for primary age.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield
  8. Children wearing woolly jumpers and hats, walking through a winter forest trail

    Add The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    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 - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  9. A spooky Halloween events poster for Aycliffe & District Bus Preservation Museum, decorated with ghosts, bats, spiders and a creepy bus under the full

    Add A Night At The Museum Horror Spooktackular - Aycliffe & District Bus Preservation Museum to your Itinerary

    A Night At The Museum Horror Spooktackular - Aycliffe & District Bus Preservation Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Aycliffe Business Park, Newton Aycliffe

    Get ready for a fun-filled Halloween evening for all the family as Aycliffe Bus Museum opens its doors for 'A Night at the Museum – Halloween Horror Spooktakular.' Local residents are invited to come along to the museum on Burtree Road, Newton…

    Dates

    From:
    31 Oct 2026Open 17:30 - 21:00
    More info for A Night At The Museum Horror Spooktackular - Aycliffe & District Bus Preservation Museum
  10. Two people stand in a recreated pit cottage, in front of a coal-fired range. One holds a bread display for Harvest Celebration.

    Add Harvest Celebrations at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Harvest Celebrations at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Experience traditional harvest celebrations at Beamish Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Harvest Celebrations at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  11. Elegant font depicting "The Fairytale Pantomime: Beauty and the Beast," with an extravagant interior background and a rose

    Add Beauty and the Beast - Pantomime - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Beauty and the Beast - Pantomime - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Consett

    Leah Bell and company return in 2026 with a tale as old as pantomime – Beauty and the Beast.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Beauty and the Beast - Pantomime - Empire Consett
  12. An orange pumpkin sat amongst the green leaves in a field.

    Add Pumpkin Patch - East Grange Farm to your Itinerary

    Pumpkin Patch - East Grange Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    This year we will grow over 100,000 pumpkins spread out over 20 acres. There will be 17 varieties, 6 different colours and sizes ranging from 500g to 12kg. Don't worry about carrying all those pumpkins; we will have plenty of wheelbarrows to help.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Oct 2026to12 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    18 Oct 2026to19 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Pumpkin Patch - East Grange Farm
  13. A close up of a model railway

    Add Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026 - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026 - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Discover the charm of miniature railways at this exciting free event. Marvel at more than 20 model railway layouts in a range of gauges—presented by members of Shildon Model Railway Club and their guests.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026 - Locomotion
  14. 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
  15. Four folk musicians on the 'Magic Lantern' stage.

    Add Family Festival Performances - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Family Festival Performances - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Our free family festival became a highlight during our time in Hartlepool.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 10:30 - 11:00
    More info for Family Festival Performances - Durham Folk Festival
  16. A variety of Halloween themed spooky pottery products.

    Add Halloween Pottery Painting - Crafty Ceramics to your Itinerary

    Halloween Pottery Painting - Crafty Ceramics

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    North Bitchburn, Crook

    Get creative this October half term and paint your very own Halloween pottery. Looking for something fun and creative to do this October half term ? Come along to the Dairy Barn and paint your very own Halloween themed pottery.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Halloween Pottery Painting - Crafty Ceramics
  17. Large sculpture of a Velociraptor dinosaur in the lobby of Ushaw.

    Add Extinction - Ushaw, Historic Houses, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Extinction - Ushaw, Historic Houses, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Bearpark, Durham

    Extinction affects us all and one in ten of our wildlife in the UK is critically endangered. Scientists have identified five periods of mass extinction over the geological record and the question is now being asked: are we in a sixth? The exhibition…

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026to8 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Extinction - Ushaw, Historic Houses, Chapels and Gardens
  18. Children playing with a science experiment.

    Add Celebrate Science - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Celebrate Science - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Shildon

    Calling all young scientists! Locomotion is the next stop for the annual festival to celebrate science. Get inspired by science this autumn! Durham University is partnering with Locomotion to host an exciting three-day festival. Join us for live…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Oct 2026to29 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Celebrate Science - Locomotion
  19. Scene from The Polar Express (2004) Small child looking up a towering steam train in the snow

    Add Grand Cinema: Polar Express - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: Polar Express - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our beautifully restored 1950s Grand cinema. The Grand cinema, from Ryhope, in Sunderland, has been recreated and brought to life in our 1950s Town.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: Polar Express - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  20. Landscape view of Raby Castle with the open starry sky

    Add Stargazing at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Stargazing at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Darlington

    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:
    14 Nov 2026
    From:
    12 Dec 2026
    From:
    9 Jan 2027
    From:
    13 Feb 2027
    More info for Stargazing at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
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