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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: 50

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  1. 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
  2. Adult and child enjoying The High Force Carrot Patch Trail.

    Add Kids Fun: The High Force Carrot Patch Trail to your Itinerary

    Kids Fun: The High Force Carrot Patch Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Breathe in the fresh spring air and hop into a world of fun at High Force Hotel & Waterfall! Our brand‑new Carrot Patch Trail is waiting for little explorers who love adventures with a sprinkle of Easter magic.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to19 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Kids Fun: The High Force Carrot Patch Trail
  3. May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North'

    Add May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North' to your Itinerary

    May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North'

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    Did you know that, historically, May Day was one of the biggest celebrations of the year? Come along and find out why as we celebrate a traditional May Day in The Pit Village and at Pockerley Old Hall.

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026to4 May 2026
    More info for May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North'
  4. Children dressed as castle servants in the kitchen at Raby.

    Add Kids Fun: Servant School Activity Trail at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Kids Fun: Servant School Activity Trail at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Staindrop

    We are looking for little ones to join us here at Raby Castle, Park & Gardens for Servant School as you discover what life was really like behind the scenes as a castle servant.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2026to29 Mar 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kids Fun: Servant School Activity Trail at Raby Castle
  5. 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
  6. Big Science - illustration of an explosion and test tubes.

    Add Big "Easter Physics" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Big "Easter Physics" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Lanchester

    Join us this Easter for our very first Big Easter Physics Workshop where the children will explore energy and forces with an Easter theme. The children will make Easter bunnies stretch, jump and even fly. All the children will get to take home what…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 11:30 - 12:30
    More info for Big "Easter Physics" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  7. The Flying Scotsman Locomotive in front of Locomotion, Shildon

    Add The Railway Garden - Easter at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    The Railway Garden - Easter at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Shildon

    Easter holiday activities celebrating nature and the railways.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for The Railway Garden - Easter at Locomotion
  8. Darlington and Durham Running Day

    Add Darlington and Durham Running Day to your Itinerary

    Darlington and Durham Running Day

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Newton Aycliffe,

    Darlington & Durham Running Day 2026 — a fantastic celebration of classic and modern buses, transport heritage, and community fun!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Darlington and Durham Running Day
  9. Green truck with the name Swamp Thing painted on the side

    Add Truckfest North East 2026 to your Itinerary

    Truckfest North East 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Wolsingham

    Join us for Truckfest North East and be amazed by monster trucks and arena stunt shows.

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 09:00 - 16:00
    More info for Truckfest North East 2026
  10. Two children running towards Raby Castle.

    Add Hoppingly Brilliant Easter Plans - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Hoppingly Brilliant Easter Plans - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Staindrop

    Durham’s Raby Castle, Park and Gardens has hopped into Easter 2026 with an eggs-ceedingly exciting selection of events.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Hoppingly Brilliant Easter Plans - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  11. Ariel view of Wolsingham Show

    Add Wolsingham Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    Wolsingham Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Wolsingham

    Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Wolsingham Show 2026
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  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. 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
  17. 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 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  18. 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:
    4 May 2026to18 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:30
    From:
    1 June 2026to29 June 2026Open 11:30 - 15:30
    More info for Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park
  19. 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
  20. Trains at Locomotion

    Add Pride at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Pride at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Celebrating diversity in partnership with Durham Pride, including our Trainbow craft activity.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026
    More info for Pride at Locomotion
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