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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: 79

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  1. Santa Claus wearing red festive suit and sunglasses.

    Add Santa's Walkergate Walkabout to your Itinerary

    Santa's Walkergate Walkabout

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Santa Claus is taking break from his busy North Pole workshop to visit the families of Durham at Walkergate this Christmas!

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 16:30
    More info for Santa's Walkergate Walkabout
  2. Table set for Christmas Day lunch with two glasses of champagne at the Radisson Blu Durham

    Add Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant to your Itinerary

    Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Following the excitement of Christmas Day morning, come together with family and friends, and let the Radisson Blu Durham do all the hard work for you to celebrate your Christmas Day in style.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant
  3. 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
  4. Actor in a cap in front of a Union Jack flag. Beamish Museum Pantomime 2026.

    Add Beamish Pantomime 2026: Dick Whittington and his Cat to your Itinerary

    Beamish Pantomime 2026: Dick Whittington and his Cat

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Beamish

    Our Beamish Pantomime is back… oh yes it is! Join us in our 1950s welfare hall for a show like no other, full of music, mischief and a little touch of magic!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026to8 Feb 2026
    More info for Beamish Pantomime 2026: Dick Whittington and his Cat
  5. Mr. Grinch and Cindy-Lou posing for a photo in front of a Christmas tree at Lanchester Garden Centre.

    Add "Who Stole our Christmas?" Party - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    "Who Stole our Christmas?" Party - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us this Festive season for the return of our ever-popular children's Christmas Party!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Dec 2025to19 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 19:00
    More info for "Who Stole our Christmas?" Party - Lanchester Garden Centre
  6. Close up of Santa's legs sitting in a chair beside a table with a gold bell

    Add Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto to your Itinerary

    Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us, Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus this Christmas in our Enchanted Garden Grotto.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025Open 16:00 - 20:00
    From:
    13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 16:30
    From:
    20 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 16:30
    More info for Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto
  7. Illustration of Santa, reindeer and children eating lunch.

    Add Lunch with Santa at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Lunch with Santa at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Stanley

    Create magical memories this festive season with a joyful Christmas lunch and a visit to Santa in his grotto...

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025Open 11:30 - 15:00
    More info for Lunch with Santa at South Causey Inn
  8. A child sitting beside an illuminated reindeer on the Enchanted Christmas Trail.

    Add The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail at Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail at Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Enchanted Christmas Trail at The Plotters’ Forest – Day & Evening Experiences. Step into a world of festive wonder this Christmas.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    10 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025
    From:
    13 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
    From:
    17 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025
    From:
    29 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to4 Jan 2026
    More info for The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail at Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  9. Aerial view of Aglow presented by The Auckland Project

    Add AGLOW - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    AGLOW - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Auckland Palace's dazzling light trail AGLOW will light up the skies of Bishop Auckland once again this Christmas.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for AGLOW - The Auckland Project
  10. 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
  11. A Christmas evening at Beamish Museum with a vintage car and Christmas lights

    Add Christmas Evenings at Beamish to your Itinerary

    Christmas Evenings at Beamish

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Immerse yourself in an extra-special enchanting evening at Beamish. Enjoy twinkling lights, festive entertainment, and seasonal treats under the night sky.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Dec 2025to12 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    18 Dec 2025to19 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:30
    More info for Christmas Evenings at Beamish
  12. An illustration of a mixture of different board games

    Add Games at the Hearth - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Games at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A relaxed afternoon of board and card games for all ages. Whether you're a seasoned player or just in it for the laughs, there's something for everyone. Second Sunday of every month 1.30pm – 4.30pm

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    12 Oct 2025to14 Dec 2025
    More info for Games at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  13. Father Christmas waving from a carriage at Beamish Museum.

    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

    Beamish

    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:
    29 Nov 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  14. Silhouette of a person photographing The Milky Way from the hillside

    Add Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Due to popular demand, we have laid on this exclusive event to educate the little ones on all things spacey!

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    10 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    7 Feb 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
  15. Snow covered double decker bus at South Causey Inn

    Add Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Step into a world of festive enchantment, where the joy of Christmas Eve comes alive...

    Dates

    From:
    24 Dec 2025Open 13:30 -
    More info for Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn
  16. Cinderella and Prince Charming

    Add Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall to your Itinerary

    Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Sedgefield

    Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, has revealed a festive programme of entertainment for all ages in the run up to Christmas and beyond – with some magical treats in store for children.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025to3 Jan 2026
    More info for Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall
  17. 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
  18. '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
  19. Two men and a woman looking at one of the Christmas Trees for sale at Raby Castle

    Add Raby Christmas Trees to your Itinerary

    Raby Christmas Trees

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Real Christmas Trees at Raby.  Bring Festive Magic Home – Starting 22nd November.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Raby Christmas Trees
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