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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: 90

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  1. A girl meets Santa, Christmas Tree and fireplace

    Add Christmas Family Fun Day to your Itinerary

    Christmas Family Fun Day

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Belmont, Durham

    Emmanuel Church's free Christmas Family Fun Day returns on Saturday 6 December, at The Durham Centre, Belmont Industrial Estate, from 1.30-4.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 13:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Family Fun Day
  2. 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:
    22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025
    From:
    29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025
    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
  3. Santa's Grotto covered in snow at Dalton Park

    Add Dalton Park Santa's Grotto to your Itinerary

    Dalton Park Santa's Grotto

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Murton

    Make your family Christmas truly special this year with a visit to Santa's Grotto at Dalton Park. Children can meet elves packing gifts, ask Santa for their Christmas list and create memories that will last a lifetime in the festive experience…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Nov 2025to9 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    8 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Dalton Park Santa's Grotto
  4. Mr. Grinch and Cindy-Lou posing for a photo in front of a Christmas tree at Lanchester Garden Centre.

    Add "Who Stole our Christmas?" Party - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    "Who Stole our Christmas?" Party - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us this Festive season for the return of our ever-popular children's Christmas Party!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Dec 2025to19 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 19:00
    More info for "Who Stole our Christmas?" Party - Lanchester Garden Centre
  5. A skeleton at The Halloween Maize Maze at Thorpe Farm Centre.

    Add Halloween Maize Maze Trail - Thorpe Farm Centre to your Itinerary

    Halloween Maize Maze Trail - Thorpe Farm Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Barnard Castle

    Spooktacular family fun awaits at Thorpe Farm Centre. The Spooky Halloween Maize Maze opens on Saturday 4th October! Grab a map and activity sheet from The Courtyard Café and head off to explore the 4 acre maize and find surprises around every…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Halloween Maize Maze Trail - Thorpe Farm Centre
  6. Girl running over larger-than-life, soft recreations of animal figurines - Pippa Hale Pet Project

    Add Exhibitions, Trails and Activities: October Half-Term at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Exhibitions, Trails and Activities: October Half-Term at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Barnard Castle

    The Bowes Museum is the perfect place for a day out this October half-term, 25 October – 2 November 2025. From daily self-guided trails and hands-on art activities to interactive exhibitions and an intimate live concert, there is something fun for…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2025to3 Nov 2025
    More info for Exhibitions, Trails and Activities: October Half-Term at The Bowes Museum
  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. 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:
    5 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Santa's Adapted Enchanted Garden Grotto
  9. Child holding a crayon, sitting with other children at Little Dragons.

    Add Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    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:
    13 Aug 2025to17 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum
  10. Santa Claus wearing glasses and holding popcorn

    Add Magic at the Movies to your Itinerary

    Magic at the Movies

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Get ready to sprinkle some festive magic this December. Prepare for an enchanting evening featuring a fabulous festive movie that will warm your heart.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    More info for Magic at the Movies
  11. 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
  12. A visitor to the Faith Museum looking at the Neapolitan Nativity

    Add Neapolitan Nativity - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Neapolitan Nativity - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Market Place, Bishop Auckland

    Be dazzled by our monumental 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene. This remarkable Baroque créche, known in Italian as a presepe, is a giant Nativity scene staged in a true-life Neapolitan setting.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Neapolitan Nativity - The Auckland Project
  13. Adults and children enjoying craft activities at Locomotion.

    Add October Half Term - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    October Half Term - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Shildon

    Jump into free family fun with science, bricks and some spooky tricks!

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for October Half Term - Locomotion
  14. Father Christmas waving from a carriage at Beamish Museum.

    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

    Beamish

    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:
    29 Nov 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  15. Santa placing presents under the tree.

    Add Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Share a magical morning with the big man himself! 
    We’ve  teamed up with Make My Day Events to bring you the ultimate  Christmas experience – a festive breakfast filled with sparkle,  songs, and a sprinkle of Santa magic.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    22 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    More info for Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel
  16. Winter Artisan Market at Dalton Park

    Add Winter Artisan Market at Dalton Park to your Itinerary

    Winter Artisan Market at Dalton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Murton

    Join us for our much-anticipated Winter Artisan Market on Sunday 9th November. Embrace the spirit of change as we welcome the colder months, celebrating the warmth and creativity of our independent North East traders.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Nov 2025Open 10:30 -
    More info for Winter Artisan Market at Dalton Park
  17. Nightmare Before Christmas imagery on lanterns.

    Add Nightmare Before Christmas Lantern Craft Workshop to your Itinerary

    Nightmare Before Christmas Lantern Craft Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    During this workshop you will be guided through the process to create your very own Nightmare Before Christmas Lantern.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Nov 2025Open 11:45 - 12:15
    More info for Nightmare Before Christmas Lantern Craft Workshop
  18. People looking at the exhibition display stand at Locomotion

    Add S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Home to one of largest collections of historic rail vehicles in the world, Locomotion is pulling out all the stops to commemorate S&DR200.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Feb 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion
  19. A man dressed on Folk costume at Beamish Museum.

    Add Fun and Folklore: October Half Term at Beamish Museum to your Itinerary

    Fun and Folklore: October Half Term at Beamish Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Beamish

    Come and join us this October Half-Term for fun and folklore. From Saturday, 25th October to Sunday, 2nd November, join us for a programme of activities as we delve into the quirky, mysterious, and sometimes spooky world of North East folklore.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for Fun and Folklore: October Half Term at Beamish Museum
  20. Aerial view of Aglow presented by The Auckland Project

    Add AGLOW - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    AGLOW - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Auckland Palace's dazzling light trail AGLOW will light up the skies of Bishop Auckland once again this Christmas.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for AGLOW - The Auckland Project
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