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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: 106

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  1. Four people wearing red festive clothing, hugging and laughing in the snow with a horse drawn carriage behind.

    Add Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - 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:
    6 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  2. Image of a trophy and House Banners - 'The House Cup' at The Hole in Wand.

    Add The House Cup - The Hole in Wand to your Itinerary

    The House Cup - The Hole in Wand

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Seaham

    The House Cup
    18th July – 6th September
    Five Houses. Five Locations. One House Cup.

    Venue

    The Hole in Wand, Seaham

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to6 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 18:00
    More info for The House Cup - The Hole in Wand
  3. Child with dinosaur model at High Force Waterfall.

    Add Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    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 Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall
  4. County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge, 'Bigfoot Beats' at Barnard Castle Library. 10th August 2026. Person playing a drum.

    Add Bigfoot Beats - Barnard Castle Library to your Itinerary

    Bigfoot Beats - Barnard Castle Library

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    2 Hall St, Barnard Castle

    Join us for an amazing interactive session with Bigfoot Arts (recommended for children aged 7-11).

    Dates

    From:
    10 Aug 2026Open 13:00 - 14:00
    More info for Bigfoot Beats - Barnard Castle Library
  5. Person dressed in a woodlouse costume at Pelton Library, event 19th of August.

    Add Stacey Bone - Story Session - County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge - Pelton Library to your Itinerary

    Stacey Bone - Story Session - County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge - Pelton Library

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Pelton Ln, Pelton

    Join us for an amazing story session with Stacey Bone reading her book The Wonderful Woodlouse (recommended for ages 3-7) on Wednesday 19th August. Free, but places must be booked. Contact Pelton Library to book your place at telephoning 03000…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Aug 2026Open 14:15 - 15:15
    More info for Stacey Bone - Story Session - County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge - Pelton Library
  6. Forky Pen

    Add Forky Pens & Alien Goo Creations - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Forky Pens & Alien Goo Creations - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Lanchester

    Get ready for some Toy Story magic! Join us and Craftily Ever After for a hands‑on craft session where kids can make their own Forky Pen and mix up a pot of bright green Alien Slime. Creative, colourful, and full of character — the perfect family…

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2026Open 13:30 - 14:15
    More info for Forky Pens & Alien Goo Creations - Lanchester Garden Centre
  7. Father Christmas sitting in an armchair greeting a young family in the cafe

    Add Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Kick off your day with something magical! Join Father Christmas for breakfast in the Coffee Pot Café at the Entrance Building, before he heads off on his Christmas duties.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    More info for Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  8. County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge, 'Bigfoot Beats' at Consett Library, 13th August. Photo of person playing a drum.

    Add Bigfoot Beats - Consett Library to your Itinerary

    Bigfoot Beats - Consett Library

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Consett

    Join us for an amazing interactive session with Bigfoot Arts (recommended for children aged 7-11).

    Dates

    From:
    13 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 11:30
    More info for Bigfoot Beats - Consett Library
  9. 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
  10. Text 'Hopetown Comic Con' with Dr. Who's Tardis in the background.

    Add Hopetown Comic Con - Hopetown Darlington to your Itinerary

    Hopetown Comic Con - Hopetown Darlington

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Darlington

    Hopetown Comic Con – Doctor Who Themed Event. 

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Hopetown Comic Con - Hopetown Darlington
  11. Muppets wearing Victorian Clothing gathered around in the snow in the Muppets Christmas Carol Poster

    Add Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) - 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:
    28 Nov 2026Open 14:15 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:15 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  12. Three people in Georgian costume stand in front of Pockerley Old Hall at Beamish Museum.

    Add Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Step back to the hustle and bustle of the early 1800s.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  13. County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge, 'Viking Workshop' at Sedgefield Library, 6th August.

    Add Viking Workshop - Sedgefield Library to your Itinerary

    Viking Workshop - Sedgefield Library

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sedgefield

    Join Patrick for a lively and interactive Viking workshop (recommended for 5-11 year olds).

    Dates

    From:
    6 Aug 2026Open 14:30 - 16:30
    More info for Viking Workshop - Sedgefield Library
  14. A snake being passed to children by a member staff at the Zoolab

    Add Zoolab - Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Zoolab - Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Bedburn, Bishop Auckland

    From spider to snakes, cockroaches and giant snails - get up close to nature in the forest!

    Dates

    From:
    9 Aug 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Zoolab - Hamsterley Forest
  15. A beautiful circular rangoli, with intricate red and white details

    Add Family Activities: Rangoli Workshop - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Rangoli Workshop - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Durham

    Learn all about beautiful Indian rangoli, and make your own intricate rangoli artwork.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Aug 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Rangoli Workshop - Durham University Oriental Museum
  16. Landscape view of an archway building at Raby Castle, with a striped market stall outside in the sun

    Add Bank Holiday Harvest Seasonal Market - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Bank Holiday Harvest Seasonal Market - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Bank Holiday Weekend

    Darlington

    Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated, ever-popular Harvest Market held in the stunning Riding School and Dutch Barn, expect live music, local produce, delectable food, and unique gifts for all the family and friends here at Raby Castle,…

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Bank Holiday Harvest Seasonal Market - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. Snakes & Shakes - A snake crawling through a skull next to a photo of a milkshake.

    Add Snakes & Shakes - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Snakes & Shakes - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Do you love snakes? Do you want to learn more about our slithery friends ? Do you also crave delicious milkshakes?
    If you answered yes to any (or all) of the above questions then this event is for you!

    Dates

    From:
    5 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    From:
    13 Aug 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    From:
    21 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Snakes & Shakes - Lanchester Garden Centre
  20. 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
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