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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: 95

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  1. A minimal illustration of a festive market vendor and a customer on a red image with festive items such as snowflakes and candy canes in the backgroun

    Add Festive Artisan Market to your Itinerary

    Festive Artisan Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Seaham

    As the twinkling lights start to glow and the air turns crisp, join us for a weekend of Christmas cheer on 12th & 13th December at Dalton Park Outlet for our Festive Artisan Market.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    More info for Festive Artisan Market
  2. Landscape view of Raby Castle with the open starry sky

    Add Stargazing at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Stargazing at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Staindrop

    History Meets The Heavens. Step Into the Past… and Look to the Stars. Experience the magic of the night sky in one of the North East’s most iconic settings. Set within the historic grounds of Raby Castle, this unique stargazing event pairs centuries…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026
    From:
    12 Dec 2026
    From:
    9 Jan 2027
    From:
    13 Feb 2027
    More info for Stargazing at Raby Castle
  3. A festive wreath and red baubles hanging down, decorate a poster which readss 'Christmas Big Sing with Forget Me Not Singers.'

    Add Christmas Big Sing to your Itinerary

    Christmas Big Sing

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    All are welcome to this year's Christmas Sing-A-Long with Forget Me Nots (Dementia Friendly Singers)

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Big Sing
  4. A close up image of Santa smiling with a bucket of popcorn.

    Add Movies and Magic - Elf to your Itinerary

    Movies and Magic - Elf

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Snuggle up in your PJ’s, get comfy to watch the fabulous festive movie Elf, be in awe and entertained by our magician and enjoy endless popcorn, hot dogs, pizzas, potato wedges and Christmas stotties!

    Dates

    From:
    21 Dec 2026Open 14:30 - 18:00
    More info for Movies and Magic - Elf
  5. 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
  6. Photograph shows two children visiting a museum display, with young girl wearing colourful unicorn headband viewing a large feathered specimen behind

    Add Wonder Workshop: Animal Automaton to your Itinerary

    Wonder Workshop: Animal Automaton

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Wonder Workshop explores The Bowes Museum's collection through art, science, technology, engineering and maths, from how mechanisms work to the meaning of symbols in paintings and the history of well-known pieces. This session encourages young…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    10 Feb 2027Open 13:30 - 14:45
    From:
    17 Feb 2027Open 13:30 - 14:45
    More info for Wonder Workshop: Animal Automaton
  7. Santa standing in front of a stone building waving

    Add Breakfast With Santa - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Breakfast With Santa - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Create unforgettable festive memories with a magical morning at South Causey Inn’s much-loved Breakfast With Santa event! 

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 11:30
    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 11:30
    More info for Breakfast With Santa - South Causey Inn
  8. Poster for 'The Nice List', text which reads 'Tom Rolfe Production Proudly Presents, A Magical Family Santamime.' A large festive book open with red r

    Add The Nice List! Santamime to your Itinerary

    The Nice List! Santamime

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Barnard Castle

    Step into a sparkling festive adventure this Christmas as Tom Rolfe Productions proudly present The Nice List!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Dec 2026Open 18:00 -
    More info for The Nice List! Santamime
  9. Film posters for The Grinch, Its A Wonderful Life and Elf on a background of red cinema chairs.

    Add Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    This December, settle in for some much-loved Christmas movies in the Exhibition Hall Theatre. Experience the festive mischief of The Grinch, the timeless magic of It’s a Wonderful Life and the hilarious Christmas spirit of Elf—all on the big screen,…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    More info for Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  10. Photograph of a young child with red hair wearing a mustard yellow shirt and beige shorts, smiling while crawling on a large white cushioned surface.

    Add Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    A sensory museum session for little ones and their grown-ups.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    26 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    30 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum
  11. Photograph of an elaborate cardboard castle and town display arranged against bright orange walls and a large window. Central tan castle features whit

    Add Parkland Explorer: Build Bowesville to your Itinerary

    Parkland Explorer: Build Bowesville

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Barnard Castle

    Help us transform The Bowes Museum into a city this February half term! Join us to Build Bowesville, our very own cardboard kingdom, taking inspiration from the museum's magnificent architecture and surrounding parkland. Get creative as you design,…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    9 Feb 2027Open 11:00 - 12:15
    From:
    16 Feb 2027Open 11:00 - 12:15
    More info for Parkland Explorer: Build Bowesville
  12. The illustrated Snowman flying with a child.

    Add The Snowman with Live Orchestra - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Snowman with Live Orchestra - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    Step into the wonder of the season with a heartwarming performance of The Snowman — perfect for all ages. Enjoy a live orchestral accompaniment by the Durham Music Youth Orchestra as they bring the beloved animated film to life, complete with the…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026
    More info for The Snowman with Live Orchestra - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  13. A scene from The Nutcracker ballet of a dancer looking up, with their back to the stage with their arm elegantly raised at a large christmas tree.

    Add The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker to your Itinerary

    The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    At a cosy Christmas party, young Clara meets the mysterious magician Drosselmeyer, who gives her a nutcracker doll. When the guests have departed and the house is asleep, Clara sneaks downstairs in search of the doll. Instead, she finds…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2026Open 19:15 -
    More info for The Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker
  14. 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
  15. Four musicians playing brass instruments.

    Add Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Festive Event

    Durham

    This isn’t just a collection of Christmas music – it’s a celebration of the season’s full emotional range. Joy, wonder, reflection, play. Big bold choruses and quiet, candlelit moments. Music that lets you sing along one minute and stop to breathe…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour - Durham Cathedral
  16. Elegant white font which reads 'Breakfast with the Grinch' on a green background with a cartoon grinch character on the bottom left surrounded with go

    Add Breakfast With The Grinch to your Itinerary

    Breakfast With The Grinch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    Bring the whole family along for a magical festive morning filled with Christmas cheer and plenty of mischievous surprises. Keep your eyes peeled for a special green guest who’s known for causing a little festive chaos!

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
    More info for Breakfast With The Grinch
  17. 3 children standing whilst Mr and Mrs Clause sit beside them with red presents

    Add Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt to your Itinerary

    Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Step inside the beautifully decorated Yultide Yurt at Raby Castle this Christmas for a magical meet-and-greet with Mr and Mrs Claus Surrounded by sparkling lights and festive décor, enjoy a heart-warming experience.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026
    More info for Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt
  18. Small child, wearing winter clothes, running through a festive woodland trail

    Add Christmas Family Explorer to your Itinerary

    Christmas Family Explorer

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Make magical memories this Christmas with one simple, all-inclusive ticket. Step into The Enchanted Forest, immerse yourself in Raby Castle at Christmas & enjoy the Deer Park & Walled Gardens.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027Open 10:00 - 14:00
    More info for Christmas Family Explorer
  19. A close up image of Santa smiling with a bucket of popcorn.

    Add Movies and Magic - The Grinch to your Itinerary

    Movies and Magic - The Grinch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Snuggle up in your PJ’s, get comfy to watch the fabulous festive movie The Grinch, be in awe and entertained by our magician and enjoy endless popcorn, hot dogs, pizzas, potato wedges and Christmas stotties!

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2026Open 14:30 - 18:00
    More info for Movies and Magic - The Grinch
  20. The front of Locomotion Museum covered in snow.

    Add Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Shildon

    Enjoy a festive day out amongst trains, engines and carriages. Highlights include a Christmas Market, Father Christmas in his cosy carriage grotto and free family activities.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027
    More info for Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion
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