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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: 43

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  1. Two people working on a large fabric with colourful abstract patterns in blue, orange, and black lines. Focus is on fabric surface.

    Add Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Barnard Castle

    Inspired by Vivienne Westwood's iconic designs, Pattern and Protest invites participants to experiment with fabric by adding marks and messages to create their own bold response. Suitable for families with children aged 5+, the session encourages…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Durham Brass Festival logo on colourful backdrop of Durham.

    Durham Brass Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    BRASS is back in 2026 with a fantastic programme of brass-inspired events coming to Durham from 12 - 19 July. 

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to19 July 2026
    More info for Durham Brass Festival 2026
  5. Little Farmers - Tiny Tots. Illustration of a tractor on a hill against a background of blue sky and sunshine.

    Add Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Little Farmers: Toddler Sensory Experience at The Paddocks.

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2026to29 June 2026Open 11:30 - 15:30
    More info for Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. People wearing gloves, and mixing purple bath bombs at Lanchester Garden Centre.

    Add Children's Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Children's Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us for another exciting Bath Bomb Workshop that's perfect for keeping the kids entertained! They'll love creating their own colourful, fizzy bath bombs in this hands-on, creative session!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    More info for Children's Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  11. Toy Story Crafts. Collage of photos showing Toy Story key rings, Etch-A-Sketch and personalised Toy Story room signs.

    Add Galactic Crafts: Toy Story Edition - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Galactic Crafts: Toy Story Edition - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Lanchester

    Join us for a Toy Story craft day packed with creativity! Make your own Alien Key Ring, build an Etch‑A‑Sketch–inspired frame, and design a personalised Toy Story Room Sign. Three crafts, endless fun.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2026Open 15:00 - 16:30
    More info for Galactic Crafts: Toy Story Edition - Lanchester Garden Centre
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. outer space galaxy

    North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is returning for 2026 – running between Friday 16 October and Sunday 1 November.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026
  15. 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
  16. People enjoy tours at Auckland Gardens.

    Add Auckland Gardens: Weekly Tours - Auckland Gardens to your Itinerary

    Auckland Gardens: Weekly Tours - Auckland Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Bishop Auckland ,

    Uncover the stories behind the gardens, from hidden details to standout features.

    Dates

    From:
    19 May 2026to30 June 2026
    More info for Auckland Gardens: Weekly Tours - Auckland Gardens
  17. Explore a range of techniques and styles led by expert artists, designers and makers

    Add Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Join in and get creative at this hands-on workshop for children aged 5 and over.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to29 Aug 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum
  18. 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
  19. Crowds enjoy show jumping at Weardale Show.

    Add 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    St. Johns Chapel

    The Weardale Show returns on Saturday 29th August 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026
    More info for 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026
  20. 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:
    21 July 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    4 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    18 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Nature Spotters - The Bowes Museum
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