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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: 41

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  1. Audience enjoying Open Air Theatre at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Add Open Air Theatre – The Three Inch Fools – King Arthur and the Holy Fail to your Itinerary

    Open Air Theatre – The Three Inch Fools – King Arthur and the Holy Fail

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Staindrop

    Join us for a magical evening as we welcome back the brilliant Three Inch Fools to present an epic tale of Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem, in the atmospheric setting of Raby Castle's open-air theatre.

    Dates

    From:
    26 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    More info for Open Air Theatre – The Three Inch Fools – King Arthur and the Holy Fail
  2. Rosettes from the Durham County Show

    Add The Durham County Show to your Itinerary

    The Durham County Show

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    nr Thornley

    The Annual Durham County Show is a vibrant event featuring a variety of activities and attractions for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for The Durham County Show
  3. Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Add Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Chester-Le-Street

    Lumley Castle Hotel at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will be the backdrop for Opulence, running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September.

    While the big-name performers are not being unveiled until later this month, organisers have promised it will…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026
    More info for Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel
  4. Family speaking to staff on a locomotive at Beamish.

    Add Summer of Fun 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Summer of Fun 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    Throughout the summer holidays, experience a variety of engaging activities across the museum’s different time periods.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Summer of Fun 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  5. Child, sitting next to adult, engaging in science, technology, engineering and maths-related activities.

    Add Crank it Up! -  Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Crank it Up! - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    Join Beamish Museum for a host of science, technology, engineering and maths-related activities taking place over this special weekend!

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026
    More info for Crank it Up! - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  6. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026 to your Itinerary

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into Kynren, a live action outdoor theatre spectacular that immerses you in 2000 years of history on an epic scale.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026
  7. Audience enjoying an evening outdoor theatre performance at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add Outdoor Cinema – Jurassic Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Outdoor Cinema – Jurassic Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Staindrop

    Welcome To Jurassic Park! A roarsome outdoor cinema experience at Raby Castle with a screening of Spielberg's dinosaur classic!

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026Open 18:30 - 22:00
    More info for Outdoor Cinema – Jurassic Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  8. Family walking in the grounds of Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add Dads Go Free Father's Day Weekend - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Dads Go Free Father's Day Weekend - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Father's Day

    Staindrop

    Celebrate Father's Day Weekend at Raby Castle – Dads Go FREE!

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026to21 June 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Dads Go Free Father's Day Weekend - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  9. 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
  10. Classic black car at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.

    Add Beamish 53rd Reliability Run - Beamish, The Living Museum of The North to your Itinerary

    Beamish 53rd Reliability Run - Beamish, The Living Museum of The North

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    It's time for the 53rd annual Beamish Reliability Run!

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Beamish 53rd Reliability Run - Beamish, The Living Museum of The North
  11. The Craft & Producers' Marquee at Durham Christmas Festival

    Add Durham Christmas Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Christmas Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham Market Place, Durham City

    Durham Christmas Festival returns – the perfect combination of Christmas shopping and seasonal entertainment in the unique and stunning setting that is Durham City Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Christmas Festival
  12. Cartoon image of the performance area with a stage, trees, hills and a yellow aeroplane with a banner with wording Derwent Fest!

    Add Derwent Fest 2026 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Edmundbyers

    A weekend festival of live tribute music, food and drink, and children’s activities and entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, and enjoy some fun, quality time together.

    Venue

    Derwent Waterside Park, Shotley Bridge

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026
    More info for Derwent Fest 2026
  13. Crowds of people enjoying a cricket match at Durham Cricket's Banks Homes Riverside Stadium

    Add Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20 to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    Durham Men and Women kick off their home Vitality Blast campaign against Leicestershire Foxes and Hampshire Hawks in the first of five double headers at Banks Homes Riverside in 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026to10 July 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20
  14. Peterlee Comic Con advertising poster

    Add Peterlee Comic Con to your Itinerary

    Peterlee Comic Con

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Peterlee

    The inaugural Peterlee Comic Con will have special guests.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Peterlee Comic Con
  15. Little girl and boy participating in 'Little Dragons' at Durham University Oriental Museum.

    Add Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham City

    Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Jan 2026to30 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum
  16. Dag performer on stage at Bishop Auckland Pride.

    Add Pride Bishop Auckland -  Bishop Auckland College to your Itinerary

    Pride Bishop Auckland - Bishop Auckland College

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Bishop Auckland

    Bishop Auckland Pride returns on Saturday 13 June for a full afternoon of live entertainment, food and community celebration at Bishop Auckland College.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026Open 14:00 - 19:00
    More info for Pride Bishop Auckland - Bishop Auckland College
  17. Child with dinosaur model at High Force Waterfall.

    Add May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Breathe in the fresh summer air and stomp into a prehistoric world of fun at High Force Hotel & Waterfall. Our brand‑new Discover Dinosaurs Trail is waiting for little explorers who love big adventures and fascinating history.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall
  18. Classic cars on display at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Add Classic Car Day by NECPWA - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Classic Car Day by NECPWA - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Beamish

    Beamish Museum is playing host to The North of England Classic & Pre-War Automobiles Club, with an incredible display of classic vehicles.

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Classic Car Day by NECPWA - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  19. 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
  20. Teams of eight racing at Durham Regatta on a beautiful sunny day against the backdrop of Durham Cathedral and Castle.

    Add The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026 to your Itinerary

    The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Old Elvet, Durham City

    Join us for a spectacular weekend of racing and bank-side entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026to14 June 2026
    More info for The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026
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