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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: 86

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  1. Ariel view of Wolsingham Show

    Add Wolsingham Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    Wolsingham Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Wolsingham

    Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Wolsingham Show 2026
  2. Small child, with face paint, sat on a large Durham University themed, purple deck chair in the Botanic Garden

    Add Face Painting - Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    Face Painting - Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham

    Come along and have your face painted with flowers, butterflies, glitter or animals.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
    More info for Face Painting - Botanic Garden
  3. AI generated image of a cartoon medieval castle with knights, eagles and children playing archery.

    Add Medieval Mayhem - Auckland Palace and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Medieval Mayhem - Auckland Palace and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Bishop Auckland

    Back by popular demand, Medieval Mayhem returns for a second year with a full day of free, family-friendly activity. Step into an early medieval world with Acle Re-enactment Society, and get up close to magnificent birds of prey. Get stuck into…

    Dates

    From:
    22 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 15:30
    More info for Medieval Mayhem - Auckland Palace and Gardens
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Free Family Fun Day Friday 31st July. Poster shows palm trees, beach balls, sunglasses and fair ground rides.

    Add Peterlee Free Summer Fun Day - Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch to your Itinerary

    Peterlee Free Summer Fun Day - Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Helford Road, Peterlee

    Free family fun day.

    Dates

    From:
    31 July 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Peterlee Free Summer Fun Day - Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch
  7. Green tortoise resting on someone's hand

    Add Crazy Creatures - Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    Crazy Creatures - Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Durham

    Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.

    Dates

    From:
    31 July 2026Open 10:30 - 16:00
    More info for Crazy Creatures - Botanic Garden
  8. Small child dressed as a knight, hitting a training post with a wooden sword at Auckland Palace

    Add Knight School - Auckland Palace and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Knight School - Auckland Palace and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Bishop Auckland

    Join Medieval Prince Bishop Antony Bek’s ranks for an interactive outdoor adventure! Meet Antony Bek: Crusader, Knight, Prince Bishop and King in the North. Join his ranks for an interactive outdoor session, hone your battle skills and find out what…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Aug 2026to16 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 15:45
    More info for Knight School - Auckland Palace and Gardens
  9. Black cat sat in a ninja pose on top of a vintage lap post, illuminated by the full moon behind with the starry sky.

    Add Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    A brand-new family musical for everyone over five.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Aug 2026to13 Aug 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape - Gala Durham
  10. Landscape view of Crook Hall gardens in the summer, lush greenery

    Add Summer of Play: SEND kids sports and games with Smile Through Sport - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Summer of Play: SEND kids sports and games with Smile Through Sport - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Durham

    Join us for outdoor games and sports activities designed for children aged 6 and up with SEND and their families. Try out different sports and games with trained coaches. Each session will be adapted to suit the needs and interests of the children…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 12:30
    More info for Summer of Play: SEND kids sports and games with Smile Through Sport - Crook Hall Gardens
  11. Image of a group of people at a Durham Book Festival event who are seated and clapping.

    Durham Book Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Durham Book Festival

    Durham

    The Durham Book Festival takes place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, celebrating the power of the written word.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Oct 2026to11 Oct 2026
    More info for Durham Book Festival 2026
  12. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham city.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Between 29th July and 2nd August 2026, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts.  Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and…

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival 2026
  13. County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge. Viking Workshop, Clayport Library.

    Add Viking Workshop for Children - Clayport  Library to your Itinerary

    Viking Workshop for Children - Clayport Library

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    Join Patrick for a lively and interactive Viking workshop (recommended for 5-11 year olds).
    Viking Workshop at Durham Clayport Library, Tuesday 18th August. Time: 2.30-4.30pm

    Dates

    From:
    18 Aug 2026Open 14:30 - 16:30
    More info for Viking Workshop for Children - Clayport Library
  14. Heritage Open Days Logo

    Heritage Open Days 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026
    More info for Heritage Open Days 2026
  15. Children, accompanied by adults, enjoying bread on a stick by the campfire.

    Add Wild Wednesday - Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday - Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Newbiggin

    Forage for food to cook on the campfire at Bowlees Visitor Centre, 29 July, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Enjoy a walk to forage for fruits of the season, identify plants that can be used in recipes and make dips and fillings for your bread on a stick around…

    Venue

    Bowlees Visitor Centre, Newbiggin

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday - Bowlees Visitor Centre
  16. Poster shows Gingerbread man and Little Red Riding Hood and a gingerbread cottage.

    Enchanted Durham LEGO Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham

    Enchanted Durham LEGO Trail – Save The Date For A Spectacular New Event

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026
    More info for Enchanted Durham LEGO Trail
  17. Little boy in green jacket, peering into binoculars - Nature Spotters at The Bowes Museum

    Add Nature Spotters - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Nature Spotters - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Gather around an indoor campsite to explore the plants and animals that thrive in the museum's surrounding parkland.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    18 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Nature Spotters - The Bowes Museum
  18. Durham Fringe Festival Logo of a colourful Sanctuary Knocker, Family Showcase

    Add Durham Fringe Family Showcase - Durham Fringe Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Family Showcase - Durham Fringe Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Sample a taste of Durham Fringe 2026 at our FREE family showcase. See up to 6 different family-friendly acts from this year's programme, squeezed into 60 minutes. The perfect event if you're not sure what to go see at this year's festival.

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026Open 13:45 - 14:45
    More info for Durham Fringe Family Showcase - Durham Fringe Festival
  19. Two children poking their heads through a Room On A Broom themed pop up stand, in Hamsterley Forest.

    Add Room On the Broom Fun Day - Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room On the Broom Fun Day - Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bedburn, Bishop Auckland

    Calling all Witches, Wizards, Dogs, Cats, Birds, Frogs and even Dragons: Join us as we celebrate all things Room on the Broom!

    Venue

    Hamsterley Forest, Hamsterley Forest

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Room On the Broom Fun Day - Hamsterley Forest
  20. child with seeds in their hand

    Add Wild Wednesday - Seeds of the Summer to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday - Seeds of the Summer

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newbiggin

    Collect seeds from local wildflowers and sow in the tree and wildflower nursery at Bowlees

    Venue

    Bowlees Visitor Centre, Newbiggin

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday - Seeds of the Summer
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