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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: 97

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  1. An adult and small child walking hand in hand down an autumnal path.

    Add Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail to your Itinerary

    Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Step into a world where familiar fairy tales are transformed into imaginative works of art this winter. Explore a collection of fairytale-inspired art installations at Crook Hall Gardens. Art students from Durham Sixth Form Centre drew inspiration…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to28 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail
  2. 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:

    October Half Term

    Bedburn , 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
  3. Santa Claus sitting near a Christmas tree, reading a book with toys.

    Add Father Christmas at Ushaw - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas at Ushaw - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    Make magical Christmas memories at Ushaw this festive season with a visit to meet Father Christmas. Children can share their festive wishes, receive a cuddly gift, and take a keepsake photo in our beautifully decorated Parlour.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    From:
    15 Dec 2026
    More info for Father Christmas at Ushaw - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  4. Santa stroking a small brown dog on his lap, a person sit in an arm chair on the right

    Add Paws & Claus 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Paws & Claus 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    A ‘Paw’fect photo opportunity. Join Father Christmas in the Coffee Pot Café at the Entrance Building for a cosy breakfast experience designed especially for visitors and their four‑legged friends.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    18 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    More info for Paws & Claus 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  5. 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
  6. A minimal illustration of a festive market vendor and a customer on a red image with festive items such as snowflakes and candy canes in the backgroun

    Add Festive Artisan Market to your Itinerary

    Festive Artisan Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Seaham

    As the twinkling lights start to glow and the air turns crisp, join us for a weekend of Christmas cheer on 12th & 13th December at Dalton Park Outlet for our Festive Artisan Market.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    More info for Festive Artisan Market
  7. Three singers in traditional clothing, next to a Christmas tree, performing festive live music during Beamish Museum's Christmas Evenings.

    Add Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings to your Itinerary

    Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Beamish Museum Christmas Evening Tickets on Sale Soon!

    Dates

    From:
    3 Dec 2026to4 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    10 Dec 2026to11 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    17 Dec 2026to18 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    More info for Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings
  8. 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
  9. A group of people wearing steam-punk style victorian clothing on a station platform.

    Add Steampunk Weekend to your Itinerary

    Steampunk Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Darlington

    Goggles at the ready! Steampunk Weekend returns bringing two days of fantastical invention, live entertainment, eccentric characters, unique traders and Victorian-inspired adventure. Step into an extraordinary world where steam powers the future,…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to15 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Steampunk Weekend
  10. 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
  11. 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 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  12. A scene from The Nutcracker ballet of a dancer looking up, with their back to the stage with their arm elegantly raised at a large christmas tree.

    Add The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker to your Itinerary

    The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    At a cosy Christmas party, young Clara meets the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer, who gives her a nutcracker doll. When the guests have departed and the house is asleep, Clara sneaks downstairs in search of the doll. Instead, she finds…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2026Open 19:15 -
    More info for The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
  13. A beautiful saris with a green and yellow pattern.

    Add Family Activities: Creative Threads to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Creative Threads

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Durham

    Get creative and try some simple weaving techniques inspired South Asian saris!

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Creative Threads
  14. Photograph of an ornate silver swan sculpture displayed in an art-filled interior. Curved neck, textured feathers and leafy trim stand out against pal

    Add Family Story Tour: The Story of the Swan to your Itinerary

    Family Story Tour: The Story of the Swan

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Barnard Castle

    Explore the mechanics behind how the iconic automaton works, watch it come to life during a performance, then get creative and make your own Silver Swan out of clay. Inspired by Rebecca Moss: Dream Machines, discover the fascinating story of the…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    10 Feb 2027Open 11:30 - 12:30
    More info for Family Story Tour: The Story of the Swan
  15. Close up of the Grinch looing quizzical at the camera wearing a Santa hat in the snowy night

    Add Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (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:
    12 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  16. 3 children standing whilst Mr and Mrs Clause sit beside them with red presents

    Add Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt to your Itinerary

    Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Step inside the beautifully decorated Yultide Yurt at Raby Castle this Christmas for a magical meet-and-greet with Mr and Mrs Claus Surrounded by sparkling lights and festive décor, enjoy a heart-warming experience.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026
    More info for Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt
  17. A small cream coloured dog wearing a Santa hat in front of a cosy fire place and a Christmas tree.

    Add Santa Paws to your Itinerary

    Santa Paws

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Treat your dog to a festive visit with Santa! Dogs can meet Father Christmas, have their photo taken, and receive a special gift to take home. A fun way to celebrate the season with your four-legged friend.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    17 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Santa Paws
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