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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: 80

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  1. Snow covered double decker bus at South Causey Inn

    Add Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Step into a world of festive enchantment, where the joy of Christmas Eve comes alive...

    Dates

    From:
    24 Dec 2025Open 13:30 -
    More info for Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn
  2. Children and families enjoying the 'Forest of Light' at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Add Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Our Forest of Light is a captivating illuminated experience set within our enchanted ancient woodland.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
    More info for Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel
  3. Santa Claus wearing red festive suit and sunglasses.

    Add Santa's Walkergate Walkabout to your Itinerary

    Santa's Walkergate Walkabout

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Santa Claus is taking break from his busy North Pole workshop to visit the families of Durham at Walkergate this Christmas!

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 16:30
    More info for Santa's Walkergate Walkabout
  4. A Robin perched on a wooden sculpture.

    Add Father Christmas has Lost his Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas has Lost his Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest in Teesdale

    Wrap up warm and enjoy a wintery walk to High Force Waterfall this December. Collect your complimentary trail sheet from the hotel bar or kiosk and get exploring.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Father Christmas has Lost his Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall
  5. Cliffecon 2026 advertising poster with event date and location

    Add Cliffecon 2026 to your Itinerary

    Cliffecon 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newton Aycliffe

    Cliffecon 2026 is a comic con and pop culture event in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    9 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Cliffecon 2026
  6. Photography by Claire Collinson. Larger-than-life, soft recreations of an animal

    Add Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    See the museum’s renowned ceramic collection re-imagined into a vibrant and interactive experience for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum
  7. Children listening to Santa telling a story beside the Christmas Tree

    Add Fireside Story & Breakfast with Santa to your Itinerary

    Fireside Story & Breakfast with Santa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    This Festive season revel in the magic and excitement of Christmas and enjoy a delicious breakfast in comfortable surroundings, complete with fireplace setting and a visit from Father Christmas.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 10:45
    From:
    13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 10:45
    From:
    20 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 10:45
    More info for Fireside Story & Breakfast with Santa
  8. Illustration of Santa, reindeer and children eating lunch.

    Add Lunch with Santa at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Lunch with Santa at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Stanley

    Create magical memories this festive season with a joyful Christmas lunch and a visit to Santa in his grotto...

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025Open 11:30 - 15:00
    More info for Lunch with Santa at South Causey Inn
  9. 'Cinderella' glass slipper and snowflakes.

    Add Cinderella Family Show - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa to your Itinerary

    Cinderella Family Show - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    A festive family day out packed with sparkle, songs and silliness. Cinderella brings all the magic of a traditional pantomime, with dazzling costumes, energetic performances and plenty of laughs for kids and grown-ups alike.
    Arrival: 11:30 | Lunch:…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Cinderella Family Show - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa
  10. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  11. Cartoon image of a woman, wearing a tiara, sitting on a throne, reading a book

    Add Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    Take some time out for yourself and get lost in a good book. At this friendly, drop-in book club you can bring something you’re already reading or pick from our shared shelf. Fourth Sunday of every month.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    13 Oct 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  12. A woman stands next to a Christmas tree with traditional decorations

    Add Christmas at Beamish Daytimes 2025 to your Itinerary

    Christmas at Beamish Daytimes 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Step back in time and enjoy the wonder of Christmas from across our time periods.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Christmas at Beamish Daytimes 2025
  13. Close up of Santa's legs sitting in a chair beside a table with a gold bell

    Add Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto to your Itinerary

    Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us, Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus this Christmas in our Enchanted Garden Grotto.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025Open 16:00 - 20:00
    From:
    13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 16:30
    From:
    20 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 16:30
    More info for Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto
  14. Mrs Claus sitting beside the Christmas Tree at Adventure Valley

    Add Winter Wonderland - Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    Winter Wonderland - Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Brasside, Durham

    Winter Wonderland is back for 2025 at Adventure Valley! From the 29th November to the 21st December – Each Weekend AND the 22nd, 23rd December & 24th December. In the ‘Christmas week’.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    22 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Winter Wonderland - Adventure Valley
  15. Father Christmas sitting in front of a Christmas Tree at Raby Castle

    Add Father Christmas at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    ​​​​​​Experience the Magic of Christmas with Father Christmas in Raby Castle’s Barons’ Hall.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025
    From:
    13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025
    From:
    19 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Father Christmas at Raby Castle
  16. Silhouette of a person photographing The Milky Way from the hillside

    Add Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Due to popular demand, we have laid on this exclusive event to educate the little ones on all things spacey!

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    10 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    7 Feb 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
  17. 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
  18. Snow covered double decker bus at South Causey Inn

    Add Christmas Eve Santa Lunch at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Eve Santa Lunch at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Make Christmas Eve magical with festive feasting, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa himself!

    Dates

    From:
    24 Dec 2025Open 11:30 -
    More info for Christmas Eve Santa Lunch at South Causey Inn
  19. Close up of Santa's legs sitting on a chair.

    Add Santa's Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto to your Itinerary

    Santa's Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus in Our Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto – A Magical Experience for Neurodiverse Children.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Santa's Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto
  20. Two smiling elves.

    Add Tweddle Farm Grotto - Tweddle Farm to your Itinerary

    Tweddle Farm Grotto - Tweddle Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Blackhall Colliery,

    Tweddle Farm's Christmas event is a December to remember! Meet Santa and his friends within our unforgettable Winter Wonderland.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Tweddle Farm Grotto - Tweddle Farm
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