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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: 101

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  1. Poster for The Big Blaze, of a large bonfire with performers either side.

    Add The Big Blaze - Lintz Hall Farm to your Itinerary

    The Big Blaze - Lintz Hall Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Join us at Lintz Hall Farm For a Bonfire Spectacular! Expect a fun evening out for the whole family.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Nov 2026to7 Nov 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Big Blaze - Lintz Hall Farm
  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. Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones standing side-by side in blue velvet suits against a festive background.

    Add The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season as The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long embarks on its debut UK tour in November and December 2026. Starring much-loved performers and presenters Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, this…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Dec 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral
  4. An illustration of Mary Poppins and Bert, smiling on a white background.

    Add Grand Cinema: Mary Poppins (1964) (U) to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: Mary Poppins (1964) (U)

    Type

    Type:

    Film

    Stanley

    In turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father. Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our beautifully restored 1950s…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Dec 2026Open 13:30 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: Mary Poppins (1964) (U)
  5. A large circular standing wreath in an autumnal forest landscape.

    Add The Mischievous Elves of High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    The Mischievous Elves of High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest In Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    This Christmas, step into a world of festive magic at High Force Waterfall. As you wander through the enchanting woodland trail,  you’ll discover that something has gone terribly wrong…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to3 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
    More info for The Mischievous Elves of High Force Waterfall
  6. A festive view of a historical stone house, in the snow with a small festive elf looking up to the house.

    Add Little Elves Christmas Hunt to your Itinerary

    Little Elves Christmas Hunt

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Get ready for a festive adventure on the beautiful Castle grounds! Our Little Elves Hunt invites children to follow a trail of Christmas-themed clues, solving puzzles and discovering hidden surprises along the way. It’s the perfect way for little…

    Dates

    From:
    22 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Elves Christmas Hunt
  7. 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
  8. Member of Beamish Museum staff with a Nutcracker figure and festive decorations in the background.

    Add Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Experience the magic of a traditional Christmas through time at Beamish.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026
    More info for Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  9. 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
  10. Whimsical festive green and red font of The Elves and the Shoemaker, on a forest green background

    Add The Elves and the Shoemaker - Pantomime - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    The Elves and the Shoemaker - Pantomime - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Step into our sole-ful festive production that’s the perfect fit for families!

    Dates

    From:
    8 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Elves and the Shoemaker - Pantomime - Gala Durham
  11. Stalls in a Christmas market, full of handmade goods and crafts.

    Add Christmas Markets - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Markets - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Our Christmas Markets are filled with twinkling lights, beautifully dressed stalls, and the comforting scent of mulled wine and seasonal treats in the air. Wander through a handpicked selection of independent traders offering unique gifts,…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    1 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    8 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    15 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    22 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    More info for Christmas Markets - South Causey Inn
  12. A black and white image of Hardwick Park

    Add Father Christmas to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stockton-on-Tees

    Make Christmas extra special this year, visit Father Christmas at Hardwick Park in his Festive Yurt.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    More info for Father Christmas
  13. A group of cartoon characters from The Grinch, surrounded by green sparkles.

    Add The Grinch & Friends Festive Family Show to your Itinerary

    The Grinch & Friends Festive Family Show

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Carville, Durham

    Join The Grinch and friends live on stage. Enjoy magical fun and games played with on stage characters like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Elsa singing LIVE! Numerous stage games and prizes, balloon drops and more, includes photographs and meet and…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Grinch & Friends Festive Family Show
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. A festive wreath and red baubles hanging down, decorate a poster which readss 'Christmas Big Sing with Forget Me Not Singers.'

    Add Christmas Big Sing to your Itinerary

    Christmas Big Sing

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    All are welcome to this year's Christmas Sing-A-Long with Forget Me Nots (Dementia Friendly Singers)

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Big Sing
  19. Santa standing in front of a stone building waving

    Add Breakfast With Santa - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Breakfast With Santa - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Create unforgettable festive memories with a magical morning at South Causey Inn’s much-loved Breakfast With Santa event! 

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 11:30
    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 11:30
    More info for Breakfast With Santa - South Causey Inn
  20. A garden in front of a historic stone house.

    Add Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Durham

    Autumn has arrived! Leaves are falling, and the gardens are changing from bright green to lovely gold, orange, and brown.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026to8 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens
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