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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: 84

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  1. Liz Million, County Durham Libraries, Summer Reading Challenge at Newton Aycliffe Library.

    Add Liz Million - Newton Aycliffe Library to your Itinerary

    Liz Million - Newton Aycliffe Library

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Newton Aycliffe

    Love drawing? Join us to take part in a lively and interactive draw-along with the fabulous Liz Million. Suitable for all ages as long as you can sit and hold a pencil!

    Dates

    From:
    30 July 2026Open 10:30 - 11:30
    More info for Liz Million - Newton Aycliffe Library
  2. Children sitting under a tree with leaves made from pink fairy lights at 'The Hidden Garden: An Immersive Experience'  - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Add The Hidden Garden: An Immersive Experience - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Hidden Garden: An Immersive Experience - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Staindrop

    After the success of last summer's immersive experience, the Riding School will be transformed again into the Hidden Garden. The secret escape will be filmed with pastel flowers, earthy green tones, glowing tones, toad stools and a maze of mystery.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to23 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Hidden Garden: An Immersive Experience - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  3. Rowley Station - a rebuilt train station in Beamish Museum.

    Add 50 Years of Rowley Station at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    50 Years of Rowley Station at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Beamish

    Celebrate 50 years of Rowley Station at Beamish with this special event.

    Dates

    From:
    25 July 2026to26 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for 50 Years of Rowley Station at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  4. Child looking at a flower using a microscope.

    Add Wild Wednesday - Near and Far to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday - Near and Far

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newbiggin

    Near and far - a fun outdoor activity for children aged 5 and over. All children need to be accompanied by an adult. (Younger siblings are welcome but do not need to book).

    Venue

    Bowlees Visitor Centre, Newbiggin

    Dates

    From:
    5 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday - Near and Far
  5. Aglow Auckland Palace & Gardens. A child in a wool hat looks upwards at the colourfully lit sky.

    Add AGLOW 2026 - Auckland Palace and Gardens to your Itinerary

    AGLOW 2026 - Auckland Palace and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    The Auckland Project has announced that its much-loved illuminated trail will return to Auckland Palace from Friday 20 November to 3 January (excluding Christmas Day and New Year's Day), promising exciting new additions alongside the spectacular…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027
    More info for AGLOW 2026 - Auckland Palace and Gardens
  6. Cartoon image of the performance area with a stage, trees, hills and a yellow aeroplane with a banner with wording Derwent Fest!

    Add Derwent Fest 2026 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Edmundbyers

    A weekend festival of live tribute music, food and drink, and children’s activities and entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, and enjoy some fun, quality time together.

    Venue

    Derwent Waterside Park, Shotley Bridge

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026
    More info for Derwent Fest 2026
  7. Bishop Auckland Family Festival. Blue sky, green grass and an illustration of a blue and white big top tent.

    Add Bishop Auckland Family Festival to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland Family Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    Bishop Auckland Family Festival is back for its third year. It has become one of the town's favourite summer events, bringing the community together for a day of fun, family and making memories.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Bishop Auckland Family Festival
  8. 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
  9. Doc (left) and Marty McFly (right) looking bewildered into the night holding a scientific remote

    Add Back To The Future: Special Screening - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Back To The Future: Special Screening - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    Great Scott!

    In the summer of 1985, Robert Zemeckis’s Back To The Future sent audiences hurtling through time in a DeLorean.
    Just over forty years later, Marty, Doc, Biff, and that unmistakable score are coming back to the big screen, fully…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026Open 19:00 -
    More info for Back To The Future: Special Screening - Gala Durham
  10. 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
  11. Santa and his helpers aboard the train.

    Add Santa Express - Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Santa Express - Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland,

    Santa Express – A Magical Christmas Journey. Create unforgettable Christmas memories aboard the Santa Express at Weardale Railway. Running on selected dates throughout November and December, this festive heritage train departs from Stanhope Station…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 09:30 - 18:00
    More info for Santa Express - Weardale Railway
  12. 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:
    27 July 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    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
  13. Two children poking their heads through a Room On A Broom themed pop up stand, in Hamsterley Forest.

    Add Room On the Broom Fun Day - Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room On the Broom Fun Day - Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bedburn, Bishop Auckland

    Calling all Witches, Wizards, Dogs, Cats, Birds, Frogs and even Dragons: Join us as we celebrate all things Room on the Broom!

    Venue

    Hamsterley Forest, Hamsterley Forest

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Room On the Broom Fun Day - Hamsterley Forest
  14. 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
  15. Two people stand in a recreated pit cottage, in front of a coal-fired range. One holds a bread display for Harvest Celebration.

    Add Harvest Celebrations at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Harvest Celebrations at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Experience traditional harvest celebrations at Beamish Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Harvest Celebrations at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  16. Professor Emma Jane Goldsmith stood infront of the Vivienne Westwood exhibit at The Bowes Museum, wearing a large tartan tie.

    Add Front Row: Making Westwood - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Front Row: Making Westwood - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Barnard Castle

    Join designer and Northumbria University Fashion Professor Emma Jane Goldsmith for insights into the cut and construction methods of Vivienne Westwood.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Aug 2026Open 14:30 - 15:30
    More info for Front Row: Making Westwood - The Bowes Museum
  17. 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
  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. child with seeds in their hand

    Add Wild Wednesday - Seeds of the Summer to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday - Seeds of the Summer

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newbiggin

    Collect seeds from local wildflowers and sow in the tree and wildflower nursery at Bowlees

    Venue

    Bowlees Visitor Centre, Newbiggin

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday - Seeds of the Summer
  20. 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
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