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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. Fireworks over the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Fireworks Extravaganza - Hardwick Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Fireworks Extravaganza - Hardwick Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Sedgefield

    Experience the annual Fireworks Extravaganza at Hardwick Hall Hotel.
    Hardwick Hall Hotel presents the annual FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA!

    Dates

    From:
    2 Nov 2025Open 17:00 - 20:00
    From:
    5 Nov 2025Open 17:00 - 20:00
    More info for Fireworks Extravaganza - Hardwick Hall Hotel
  2. Large Christmas Tree at Raby Castle

    Add Raby Castle at Christmas to your Itinerary

    Raby Castle at Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Step back in time to experience a traditional family Christmas at Raby Castle.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025
    From:
    28 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025
    From:
    3 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025
    From:
    10 Dec 2025to13 Dec 2025
    From:
    14 Dec 2025
    From:
    17 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
    From:
    29 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    2 Jan 2026to4 Jan 2026
    More info for Raby Castle at Christmas
  3. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026 to your Itinerary

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into Kynren, a live action outdoor theatre spectacular that immerses you in 2000 years of history on an epic scale.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026
  4. Santa placing presents under the tree.

    Add Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Share a magical morning with the big man himself! 
    We’ve  teamed up with Make My Day Events to bring you the ultimate  Christmas experience – a festive breakfast filled with sparkle,  songs, and a sprinkle of Santa magic.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    22 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    More info for Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel
  5. Children playing at The Bowes Museum

    Add Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Time for The Bowes’ youngest visitors to explore and play in the Conversation Gallery, investigate materials and be creative in this self-led, free-play session.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Jan 2025to8 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum
  6. Jack and the Beanstalk written in Gold on a green background

    Add Jack and the Beanstalk - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Jack and the Beanstalk - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Durham City

    Join Jack and his friends as we are transported to a land of magical creatures and a very hungry Giant.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Jack and the Beanstalk - Gala Durham
  7. Artwork relating to beasts and legends on display at Palace Green Library. Silhouette of knights and dragons.

    Add Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore to your Itinerary

    Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    This family friendly exhibition features a selection of artefacts from across the Durham University collections to help tell the stories of local folktales. 

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2025to2 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore
  8. Alpacas at Kinley Hill Pumpkin Patch.

    Add Kinley Hill Pumpkin Patch to your Itinerary

    Kinley Hill Pumpkin Patch

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Seaham

    Come and explore our family-run, home-grown pumpkin patch, set in the beautiful coastal town of Seaham, County Durham. We’re a local family farm that started our pumpkin patch in 2022, and each year we’re growing, improving, and welcoming more…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2025to26 Oct 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    27 Oct 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for Kinley Hill Pumpkin Patch
  9. Spooky image of one of the Raby Castle towers

    Add Ghost Stories with Dr Emma Liggins and Adam Z. Robinson at Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Ghost Stories with Dr Emma Liggins and Adam Z. Robinson at Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop

    This spine-chilling Halloween event brings together ghost story expert Dr Emma Liggins with theatrical performer and writer Adam Z. Robinson. It promises spooky stories, haunted histories and the terror of the unknown.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2025Open 18:00 -
    More info for Ghost Stories with Dr Emma Liggins and Adam Z. Robinson at Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  10. LGBTQIA+ Object Trail at The Bowes Museum

    Add LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Explore The Bowes Museum’s collection through a different lens and learn about the stories and emotions objects hold through the lived experiences of those who identify as LGBTQIA+.

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum
  11. Children and families enjoying the 'Forest of Light' at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Add Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Our Forest of Light is a captivating illuminated experience set within our enchanted ancient woodland.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
    More info for Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel
  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. Someone partaking in an 'Artist Makers' session at The Bowes Museum

    Add Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Make time for making; join in and get creative. An opportunity to try out new techniques, materials and experiment with the Museum’s team of artists, makers and designers in the Create Space.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Jan 2025to3 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum
  14. South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Add South Causey Monthly Dog Walk to your Itinerary

    South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Dog-Friendly

    STANLEY

    Join the South Causey Dog Walking Club every 1st Saturday of the month at 10 am for a picturesque stroll through the beautiful Beamish Valley. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  15. The Grinch in front of a Christmas tree.

    Add Merry Grinchmas Breakfast - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Merry Grinchmas Breakfast - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us for a delicious cooked breakfast, fun and photos with your favourite green mischievous character that stole Christmas.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025Open 09:00 - 10:30
    More info for Merry Grinchmas Breakfast - Lanchester Garden Centre
  16. Children looking at one of the exhibits

    Add Celebrate Science at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Celebrate Science at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Calling all young scientists! Locomotion is the next stop for the annual festival to celebrate science.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2025to29 Oct 2025
    More info for Celebrate Science at Locomotion
  17. A small child looking at a skeleton on the Plotters' Forest Halloween trail

    Add Halloween Tiny Terrors Trail at The Plotters' Forest - Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Halloween Tiny Terrors Trail at The Plotters' Forest - Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop

    Join us for a spooktacular Halloween adventure at The Plotters’ Forest!

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Halloween Tiny Terrors Trail at The Plotters' Forest - Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  18. A pink and green lantern containing the silhouettes of Wicked characters

    Wicked Suniveristy

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Lanchester

    Join us and Craftily Ever After for our very first Wicked Sunversity.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2025Open 10:45 - 12:15
    More info for Wicked Suniveristy
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