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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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  1. White painted pumpkins with bats, on a table surrounded by candles

    Add Little Ones Pumpkin Painting - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Little Ones Pumpkin Painting - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Darlington

    Celebrate the autumn season with a fun and creative pumpkin painting workshop! Little artists will receive their own pumpkin along with a variety of paints and brushes to design a unique creation – no carving required! From spooky faces to colourful…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    29 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Little Ones Pumpkin Painting - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  2. Poster for Halloween scare nights, decorated with horror characters and circus tents.

    Add SCARE NIGHTS - Thorpe Farm Centre to your Itinerary

    SCARE NIGHTS - Thorpe Farm Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Barnard Castle

    Two Spooktacular Experiences – Choose Your Scare!

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 16:00 - 21:00
    More info for SCARE NIGHTS - Thorpe Farm Centre
  3. Children watching a demonstration in a park

    Add Creepy Creations - Wharton Park to your Itinerary

    Creepy Creations - Wharton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Durham

    Create a creepy vibe in your house or garden by joining us to make your own handmade Halloween decorations.  Using mainly natural materials you can design your own nightmare catcher and wooden spooky character totem pole. All materials are provided…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Creepy Creations - Wharton Park
  4. Scene from The Polar Express (2004) Small child looking up a towering steam train in the snow

    Add Grand Cinema: Polar Express - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: Polar Express - 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:
    21 Nov 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: Polar Express - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  5. 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
  6. 3 children standing whilst Mr and Mrs Clause sit beside them with red presents

    Add Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop, Darlington

    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 - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  7. A historical street view, a tram driver on a vintage tram, smiling at children on the street.

    Add October Half-Term - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    October Half-Term - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Stanley

    Step back in time this October. Join us this Autumn for family friendly fun across our museum.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for October Half-Term - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  8. Santa giving a present to a small child in front of two ornate Christmas trees

    Add Father Christmas at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    Experience the Magic of Christmas with Father Christmas in Raby Castle’s Barons’ Hall. Cherish and create new family traditions with a special visit to see Father Christmas at Raby Castle. Bells will ring and footmen will guide you up to the…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Father Christmas at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  9. A vibrant firework display.

    Add Firework Display - Newton Aycliffe to your Itinerary

    Firework Display - Newton Aycliffe

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Newton Aycliffe

    The event is FREE, however those wishing to attend the display must apply for a wristband. Wristbands will be available at the OakLeaf Sports Complex from Tuesday 20th October 2026, the wristbands will be available from 1pm until 7pm each day until…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Nov 2026Open 17:00 -
    More info for Firework Display - Newton Aycliffe
  10. Spooky black font, 'Halloween Karting,' on an orange background.

    Add Halloween Karting - Top Gear Karting to your Itinerary

    Halloween Karting - Top Gear Karting

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Gilesgate Moor, Durham

    Start Your Halloween With a Hit of Adrenaline...and Pizza! Fuel the Kids up on Racing, Pizza & Goodies for a Guaranteed Treat - No Tricks!

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Halloween Karting - Top Gear Karting
  11. 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. Wallace and Gromit characters holding brass instruments against a green background

    Add Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers LIVE with EverReady Band - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers LIVE with EverReady Band - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Consett

    EverReady Band is bringing the award-winning Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers LIVE to Empire Consett this October!
    ​​​​​​​Join one of the UK’s most celebrated brass bands for an unforgettable afternoon of live music, laughter and cinematic magic.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers LIVE with EverReady Band - Empire Consett
  13. A large pumpkin patch, with a welcome sign in the shape of a pumpkin to the left.

    Add Kinley Hill Pumpkin Patch to your Itinerary

    Kinley Hill Pumpkin Patch

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Seaham

    Come and explore our family-run, home-grown pumpkin patch, set in the beautiful coastal town of Seaham, County Durham. We’re a local family farm that started our pumpkin patch in 2022, and each year we’re growing, improving, and welcoming more…

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for Kinley Hill Pumpkin Patch
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. Three glowing Christmas trees in an elegant room at Raby Castle

    Add Raby Castle at Christmas - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Raby Castle at Christmas - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    Raby Castle is opening it’s doors for Christmas for the second time in five decades to showcase the castle decorated for Christmas, designed by custodian and creative director, Lady Barnard.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Raby Castle at Christmas - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. Two people smiling dressed in Halloween themed pumpkin outfits in front of a bright Halloween castle

    Add Tommy & Tilly’s Magic Castle: A Spooktacular Pantomime! - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Tommy & Tilly’s Magic Castle: A Spooktacular Pantomime! - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Barnard Castle

    Step into a world of wonder, laughter, and a little bit of spooky sparkle this half term with Tommy & Tilly’s Magic Castle: A Spooktacular Pantomime!

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2026Open 13:00 -
    More info for Tommy & Tilly’s Magic Castle: A Spooktacular Pantomime! - The Witham
  20. 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
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