Skip To Main Content

  • Accommodation
    • Don't Miss
      • City Breaks
      • Spa Breaks
      • Dog Friendly
      • Stunning Stays
    • Hotels
    • B&B and Guest Houses
    • Inns & Pubs
    • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages
      • Self Catering Agencies
    • Caravan, Camping & Glamping
    • Hostels
    • Accessible Accommodation
  • Things to Do
    • Don't Miss
      • Binchester Roman Fort
      • Beamish Museum
      • Bishop Auckland Town Hall
      • Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • Crook Hall Gardens
      • Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre
      • Durham Castle Tours
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Durham Cricket
      • Durham Town Hall
      • Durham University Botanic Garden
      • Durham University Oriental Museum
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • Hardwick Park
      • High Force
      • Killhope
      • Kynren- An epic Tale of England
      • Locomotion
      • Palace Green Library
      • Raby Castle
      • Redhills Durham Miners Hall
      • Seaham Harbour Marina
      • The Auckland Project
      • Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery
      • The Bowes Museum
      • Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
      • Wharton Park
    • Attractions
      • Castles & Historic Houses
      • Cathedral & Churches
      • Hands on History
      • Gardens & Parks
      • Family Fun
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Waterfalls & Reservoirs
    • Activities
      • Adventure Activities
      • Cycling
      • Family Fun Activities
      • Festival & Events Organisers
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding
      • Spas
      • Walking
    • Entertainment
      • Cinema
      • Theatre
    • Shopping
      • Antiques
      • Farm Shops & Markets
      • Garden Centres
      • Only in Durham
      • Independent Shops & Boutiques
      • Shopping Centres
    • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides
      • Attraction Tours
      • Tour Guides
      • Scenic Tours
      • Cycling Tours
      • Durham on Screen
      • Walking Tours
      • Durham City Guide - Churches, Chapels and Cafes
    • Weddings
      • Historic Wedding Venues
      • Hotel Wedding Venues
      • Wedding Fairs & Events
      • Stag & Hen Party Ideas
      • Wedding Packages
  • What's On
    • What's on this Week
    • Family Events
      • October Half Term Events
      • Free Events
      • Halloween
      • Bonfire Night
      • Festive Fun
    • 2026 Unmissable Events
    • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events
      • Cinema Venues
      • Theatre Venues
    • Sports
    • Dark Skies Events
    • Food & Drink
    • Exhibitions
  • Food & Drink
    • Don't Miss
      • Bishop’s Kitchen at Auckland Palace
      • Botanic Garden Café
      • Cafe Bowes at The Bowes Museum
      • Durham Dales Centre Tea Room
      • El Castillo
      • Gala Lounge
      • High Force Hotel and Waterfall
      • Hotel Indigo Rotunda Bar
      • Jozef’s Riverside Bar & Restaurant
      • Killhope Lead Mining Museum Cafe and Shop
      • Lumley Castle - Knight's Restaurant
      • Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill
      • Geko at Seaham Hall
      • The Dining Room
      • The Dunes Café
      • The Falls Café at Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • The Garden Gate Café at Crook Hall Gardens
      • The Hamsterley Cafe and Ice Cream Kiosk
      • The Neighbourhood @ Hotel Indigo Durham
      • The Oak Room Restaurant
      • The Tower Cafe
      • The Vinery at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
      • Undercroft Restaurant
      • Ushaw Café
    • Restaurants
    • Tearooms & Coffee Shops
    • Pubs & Bars
    • Get a Taste of Durham
    • Afternoon Tea in Durham
  • Inspire Me
    • Short Break Ideas
      • Classic Christmas
      • Dark Skies
      • Dog Friendly Durham
      • Romantic Getaways
      • Spa Breaks
      • Golf Breaks
      • Weddings
      • City Break
    • Seasonal
      • Spring Breaks
      • Summer Breaks
      • Autumn Breaks
      • Winter Breaks
    • Budget-Friendly Days Out in Durham
    • Explore From Your Door
    • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors
    • Discover Wellness in Durham
    • Go Car Free in Durham
    • Only in Durham
    • Delve Into Our Heritage
    • Durham's Unmissable Highlights
    • Itineraries
  • Explore Durham
    • Durham City
    • Durham Dales
    • Vale of Durham
    • Durham Coast
    • Durham Towns
      • Barnard Castle
      • Bishop Auckland
      • Chester-le-Street
      • Seaham
      • Stanhope
    • North Pennines National Landscape
    • North East England
  • Visitor Information
    • Maps of Durham
    • Getting to Durham
    • Getting Around Durham
      • Car Hire
      • Taxis
      • Electric Car Charging Points
    • Accessible Durham
    • Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Durham
    • Visitor Guides
    • Durham Apps
    • Discover Durham Digitally

Don't Miss

  • People dressed as Harry Potter at Durham Cathedral

    Magical Escapes in Durham

  • A family stood at Low Force

    Autumn Breaks

  • A witch sculpture for Halloween

    October Half Term Events

  • We Are The Durhams: The Durham Light Infantry

    We Are The Durhams: The Durham Light Infantry

A German Flag
This is Durham logo
Menu
  • Durham the Culture County logo
  • Print Logo
Close Navigation

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.

Loading..

Number of results:

Number of results: 118

, currently showing 101 to 118.

  • Previous Prev
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest
  1. Two people smiling together looking at a Christmas tree

    Add Christmas Market 2026 - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Market 2026 - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    Three Magical Days of Festive Shopping, Eating and Cheer. Join us this November for a truly magical experience at the Raby Castle's Christmas Market. Whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift, sipping mulled wine, or simply soaking up the festive…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026to29 Nov 2026Open 09:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Market 2026 - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  2. Two individuals examining a large, circular mechanical device with intricate components, possibly an antique or scientific instrument.

    Add Wonder Workshop: Cloud Collage - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Wonder Workshop: Cloud Collage - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Barnard Castle

    A workshop for curious young people aged 10–16 who enjoy asking questions, looking closely and thinking creatively.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    27 Oct 2026to28 Oct 2026Open 12:30 - 13:45
    More info for Wonder Workshop: Cloud Collage - The Bowes Museum
  3. 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
  4. Spooky scarecrow looking sinisterly at the camera at Beamish, at night.

    Add Halloween Evening - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Halloween Evening - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Stanley

    Something spooky is coming… Step back in time and get ready for a night you’ll never forget.
    Join us for a special spine-tingling experience as Beamish is transformed into The Un-living Museum of the North.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Halloween Evening - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  5. The planet Saturn in the dark night sky

    Add Saturn At Its Closest - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Saturn At Its Closest - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Saturn – the enigmatic ringed beauty is by far most people’s favorite – I mean if you haven’t looked through a telescope at Saturn then don’t miss this opportunity to do so. With its glorious ring system dazzling the observer as a veritable…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Saturn At Its Closest - Grassholme Observatory
  6. 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:
    29 Oct 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    26 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    30 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum
  7. A Witch and a cat riding a broom.  Room on the Broom © 2001 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

    Add Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Redford, Hamsterley Forest

    This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun. 

    Dates

    From:
    28 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  8. A beautiful view of the Aurora Borealis in the dark night sky

    Add Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    The event will begin with a personal welcome from our astronomer, Gary Fildes. Gary is a very experienced science communicator and astronomer, and founder of the Kielder Observatory, where he was Director and CEO for over 11 years.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory
  9. A group of children gathered around a wooden frame filled with sticks and bricks on grass, engaged in a hands-on outdoor activity.

    Add Parkland Explorers: Hedgehog Houses - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Parkland Explorers: Hedgehog Houses - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Barnard Castle

    Head to the wildflower meadow behind the museum to discover hidden wildlife and make habitats for hibernating hedgehogs using recycled materials.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    27 Oct 2026Open 10:30 - 11:30
    More info for Parkland Explorers: Hedgehog Houses - The Bowes Museum
  10. A bearded person, wearing a black and yellow striped top and blue jacket, screaming whilst holding a skull next to their face on a black background.

    Add Ghastly Stories for Gruesome Gremlins - Middleton-in-Teesdale to your Itinerary

    Ghastly Stories for Gruesome Gremlins - Middleton-in-Teesdale

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Boggarts, ghosts & things that go burp in the night... Ghastly Stories for Gruesome Gremlins is a silly & spooky storytelling show for ages 6+ and their families from master storyteller, Gav Cross!

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 13:45 - 15:45
    More info for Ghastly Stories for Gruesome Gremlins - Middleton-in-Teesdale
  11. Halloween Fun at the Farm Poster, decorated with two pumpkins and a crow.

    Add Halloween Fun At The Farm - Down At The Farm to your Itinerary

    Halloween Fun At The Farm - Down At The Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Houghton le Spring

    Join us for some Spooky Halloween Fun! Choose from 17th/18th or 24th- 31st October. Visit our outdoor pumpkin patch and choose your pumpkin to carve or take home.(remember to bring your carving kits) Entry to the pumpkin patch is £3.50  on the day…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026to18 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    24 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Halloween Fun At The Farm - Down At The Farm
  12. A book propped up against a mossy tree.

    Add Welcome to Storytime with Gruffalo Granny - Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Welcome to Storytime with Gruffalo Granny - Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Come to the forest for a day of family fun this October half-term and hear the new Gruffalo story. There’s also a visit from The Gruffalo! You’ll be able to enjoy Gruffalo Granny storytelling sessions and Gruffalo meet-and-greets at intervals…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Oct 2026
    More info for Welcome to Storytime with Gruffalo Granny - Hamsterley Forest
  13. A group of people sit on hay bales inside a barn while a speaker gives an astronomy presentation beside a projected image.

    Add Star Camp - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Star Camp - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Cotherstone

    Join the Star Camp for an astronomical weekend in Teesdale. The camp is perfect for novice astronomers and is great for adults and children (6+ years).

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026Open 19:00 - 10:00
    More info for Star Camp - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  14. 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
  15. Cartoon monsters in front of a red stage curtain with text that reads, "There's a Monster in your Show."

    Add There’s A Monster In Your Show - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    There’s A Monster In Your Show - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Durham

    Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series comes to Durham in a brand-new musical show.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026to30 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for There’s A Monster In Your Show - Gala Durham
  16. Childrens halloween accessories of witches hats and wands on a table.

    Add Kids’ Halloween Crafts - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Kids’ Halloween Crafts - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Stanley

    Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween adventure at South Causey Inn’s Beamish Barn on Friday 30th October!

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2026Open 10:30 - 14:30
    More info for Kids’ Halloween Crafts - South Causey Inn
  17. A field of pumpkins

    Add Pumpkin Picking - Tweddle Farm to your Itinerary

    Pumpkin Picking - Tweddle Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool

    Join us at the North East’s most loved Pumpkin Patch! Filled with garden games, face painting, funfair rides, photo opportunities and more! Our patch is bursting with all kinds of shapes, colours & sizes! Choose your favourite to take home and carve.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2026to11 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 14:30
    From:
    17 Oct 2026to18 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 14:30
    From:
    24 Oct 2026to30 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 14:30
    More info for Pumpkin Picking - Tweddle Farm
  18. 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
  • Previous Prev
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
Loading..Loading..
  • Enewsletter Sign Up

  • Contact Us

  • Print Page
  • Email Page
Home Accommodation
  • Hotels,
  • B&B and Guest Houses,
  • Inns & Pubs,
  • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages,
  • Caravan, Camping & Glamping,
  • Dog Friendly,
  • Hostels,
Things to Do
  • Attractions,
  • Activities,
  • Shopping,
  • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides,
What's On
  • Family Events,
  • 2026 Unmissable Events,
  • What's on this Week,
  • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events,
  • Dark Skies Events,
Food & Drink
  • Restaurants,
  • Tearooms & Coffee Shops,
  • Pubs & Bars,
  • Get a Taste of Durham,
  • Tasty Places to Stay,
  • Foodie Events,
Inspire Me
  • Short Break Ideas,
  • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors,
  • Delve Into Our Heritage,
  • Durham's Unmissable Highlights,
  • Itineraries,
Explore Durham
  • Durham City,
  • Durham Dales,
  • Vale of Durham,
  • Durham Coast,
  • Durham Towns,
  • North East England,
Visitor Information
  • Maps of Durham,
  • Getting to Durham,
  • Getting Around Durham,
  • Accessible Durham,
  • Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Durham,
  • Visitor Guides,
Submit Event
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Submit Event
  • Terms & Conditions

© Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved

Registered Office: Visit County Durham, East Wing, 1st Floor, Corten House, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TS

  • North East England logo

Ratings & Reviews

Powered By

tripadvisor

  • Durham County Council