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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. A person dressed as a festive elf, looking up and smiling in front of a lit up sign which reads, 'Grotto' decorated with baubles.

    Add Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    Unlimited Family Fun at Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town. Little faces lighting up, a view of the Christmas lights from the Ferris wheel and the excited call of "can we go on again?" Make memories together at Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town,…

    Dates

    From:
    3 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town
  2. Festival of Fireworks - Graphic image of a silhouette of a fairground against an orange sky full of fireworks.

    Add Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside to your Itinerary

    Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Chester-le-Street

    Experience the North East's ultimate Festival of Fireworks, featuring one of the region's largest fireworks, laser and pyrotechnic spectaculars, perfectly choreographed to music against the stunning backdrop of the River Wear at Banks Homes…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside
  3. 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
  4. Children sat on hay bales decorated with pumpkins and plastic skeletons.

    Add Spooktown - Hopetown Darlington to your Itinerary

    Spooktown - Hopetown Darlington

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Darlington

    All Hallows’ Eve will soon be on us and something spooky is stirring at Hopetown Darlington. This Halloween, Hopetown transforms into Spooktown; a hauntingly fun destination packed with thrills, chills and ghostly goings-on for the whole family.…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Spooktown - Hopetown Darlington
  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. A person wearing historical mining clothes sat in a dark pit, smiling, surrounded with tools.

    Add Families October Half Term: Beyond Coal to your Itinerary

    Families October Half Term: Beyond Coal

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Stanley

    This October Half Term we will be exploring energy in all its forms – from coal, electricity and renewable energy sources to the social and cultural energy that mining communities generated.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Families October Half Term: Beyond Coal
  7. 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
  8. Green Shrek font, with a green 'S' with Shrek's ears, on a blue sequin background.

    Add DULOG: Shrek The Musical - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    DULOG: Shrek The Musical - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    Shrek the Musical comes to Gala Durham in this hilarious and heartwarming stage spectacular, presented by Durham University’s biggest musical theatre company, DULOG.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Jan 2027to30 Jan 2027Various Opening Times
    More info for DULOG: Shrek The Musical - Gala Durham
  9. A telescope silhouetted against a star-filled night sky, with the Milky Way visible in the background.

    Add Saturn - Lord of the Rings - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Saturn - Lord of the Rings - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Saturn – the enigmatic ringed beauty is by far most people's favourite – if you haven't looked through a telescope at Saturn then do not miss this opportunity to do so. With its glorious ring system dazzling the observer it is a veritable observing…

    Venue

    Grassholme Observatory, Teesdale

    Dates

    From:
    31 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Saturn - Lord of the Rings - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  10. A vibrant firework display

    Add Firework Display - Spennymoor to your Itinerary

    Firework Display - Spennymoor

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Spennymoor

    Our annual Firework display will be held on Thursday 5th November at 6pm. Details to be confirmed

    Dates

    From:
    5 Nov 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    More info for Firework Display - Spennymoor
  11. 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
  12. Four people wearing red festive clothing, hugging and laughing in the snow with a horse drawn carriage behind.

    Add Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - 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:
    6 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  13. St. Cuthbert's and St. Aidan's Christmas Fair Poster with illustrations of Mary, Joseph and Jesus in a crib, along with Christmas wreaths and baubles.

    Add Christmas Fair to your Itinerary

    Christmas Fair

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Parish Christmas Fair – Framwellgate Moor

    Come and join us for some festive fun at St Cuthbert's with St Aidan's Christmas Fair!

    Enjoy a warm welcome, a variety of stalls, Christmas gifts, seasonal treats and refreshments. Whether you're looking…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
    More info for Christmas Fair
  14. A vibrant background of pink, gold and blue fireworks in a dark night sky, with white and orange bold text which reads, 'Stanley Fireworks 2026.'

    Add Stanley Fireworks 2026 to your Itinerary

    Stanley Fireworks 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Stanley

    Get ready for a spectacular night of fireworks, live entertainment and family fun! Bring your family and friends and join us for a fantastic night in Stanley!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 17:00 -
    More info for Stanley Fireworks 2026
  15. Traditional prayers to goddess Lakshmi at the Diwali celebrations at the Oriental Museum.

    Add Diwali to your Itinerary

    Diwali

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Celebrate the Indian festival of lights with this special late night opening. Everyone is welcome to join us for this spectacular evening Diwali celebration at the Oriental Museum. There will traditional puja prayers to goddess Lakshmi, delicious…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    More info for Diwali
  16. A child in a blue shirt, looking surprised surrounded by tropical plants, snakes, frogs and tarantulas.

    Add Creature Experience to your Itinerary

    Creature Experience

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Bishop Auckland

    Join Guy from bugsnstuff for a fun family Creature Experience, meeting a fascinating range of reptiles, insects and other unusual creatures and learning more about the animals along the way.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Creature Experience
  17. 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
  18. Two children dressed up as a witch and a skeleton, smiling holding pumpkins against a stone wall.

    Add Spooky Half Term - Hall Hill Farm to your Itinerary

    Spooky Half Term - Hall Hill Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Durham

    Are you brave enough to come to Hall Hill Farm for a ghoulishly-good time? There are�lots of extra activities- including giant scarecrows, haunted Sheep Race, Mini Monster Maze, Trick or Treat treasure hunt, choose your pumpkin from the pumpkin…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:30 - 17:00
    More info for Spooky Half Term - Hall Hill Farm
  19. Close up of a festive table spread with lit candles and winter foliage

    Add Advent Candle Wreath Workshop to your Itinerary

    Advent Candle Wreath Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Join Deborah from Periwinkle Barn in the Conservatory at Raby Castle for a festive Advent candle wreath workshop, with beautiful views across the Walled Gardens as your backdrop. In this seasonal session, you’ll create a traditional wreath…

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 10:30 -
    More info for Advent Candle Wreath Workshop
  20. Photograph of a young child with red hair wearing a mustard yellow shirt and beige shorts, smiling while crawling on a large white cushioned surface.

    Add Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    A sensory museum session for little ones and their grown-ups.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    26 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    30 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum
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