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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: 103

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  1. 3 children standing whilst Mr and Mrs Clause sit beside them with red presents

    Add Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop, Darlington

    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 - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  2. A person is cooking over a fire outdoors, outside Beamish Museum's 1950s Farm

    Add Atchin-tan and Celebration of Gypsy Roma Traveller History at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Atchin-tan and Celebration of Gypsy Roma Traveller History at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Visit Beamish Museum for this special celebration of Gypsy Roma Traveller history.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Atchin-tan and Celebration of Gypsy Roma Traveller History at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  3. A group of children gathered around a wooden frame filled with sticks and bricks on grass, engaged in a hands-on outdoor activity.

    Add Parkland Explorers: Hedgehog Houses - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Parkland Explorers: Hedgehog Houses - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Barnard Castle

    Head to the wildflower meadow behind the museum to discover hidden wildlife and make habitats for hibernating hedgehogs using recycled materials.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    27 Oct 2026Open 10:30 - 11:30
    More info for Parkland Explorers: Hedgehog Houses - The Bowes Museum
  4. Poster from the 1951 'A Christmas Carol,' Scrooge wearing a long coat, top hat and yellow scarf, looking glumly on the left of the image

    Add Grand Cinema: A Christmas Carol (1951) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: A Christmas Carol (1951) - 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:
    22 Nov 2026Open 14:15 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: A Christmas Carol (1951) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  5. 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
  6. Small child, wearing winter clothes, running through a festive woodland trail

    Add Christmas Family Explorer - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Family Explorer - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    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 - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  7. Grand historic door surrounded by beautiful bushes of flowers in Ushaw House.

    Add Ushaw Flower Festival - Ushaw, Historic Houses, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Ushaw Flower Festival - Ushaw, Historic Houses, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Bearpark, Durham

    Experience the sound of the North East reimagined in flowers. Discover breathtaking floral displays inspired by our region’s rich musical heritage, filling the spectacular buildings of Ushaw with colour, creativity and charm.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Ushaw Flower Festival - Ushaw, Historic Houses, Chapels and Gardens
  8. Lush greenery and gardens surrounding a stone building

    Add Heritage Open Days - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Free entry to enjoy the beautiful gardens and Medieval Hall

    Dates

    From:
    16 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Crook Hall Gardens
  9. A scientist conducting an experiment with fire - Big Science.

    Add Big Sweetie Science - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Big Sweetie Science - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Lanchester

    Join us this Summer for the return of our Big "Sweetie" Science Workshop.

    The children will explore different science areas using sweets. Every child will make their own pot of sherbet and a chemistry mocktail, making fizzy reactions.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Aug 2026Open 11:30 - 12:30
    More info for Big Sweetie Science - Lanchester Garden Centre
  10. People observing framed sketches and drawings displayed on a gallery wall, highlighting an art exhibition setting.

    Add Heritage Open Days - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Barnard Castle

    Celebrate Heritage Open Days with free admission to The Bowes Museum and a packed programme of activities inspired by this year's theme, Everyday Histories. Enjoy guided tours, including rare behind-the-scenes access to the museum's vaults, hands-on…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - The Bowes Museum
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. Four people wearing red festive clothing, hugging and laughing in the snow with a horse drawn carriage behind.

    Add Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - 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:
    6 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  15. Three singers in traditional clothing, next to a Christmas tree, performing festive live music during Beamish Museum's Christmas Evenings.

    Add Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings to your Itinerary

    Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Beamish Museum Christmas Evening Tickets on Sale Soon!

    Dates

    From:
    3 Dec 2026to4 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    10 Dec 2026to11 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    17 Dec 2026to18 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    More info for Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. A young girl in a brown dress with hair in a ponytail, holding something made of paper, with craft materials on a yellow table in front

    Add October Half Term - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    October Half Term - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Barnard Castle

    This October Half Term, families can enjoy a lively mix of creative and nature-inspired activities across The Bowes Museum's galleries, creative spaces and parkland.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for October Half Term - The Bowes Museum
  20. Yellow and purple font with a white lego brick background, 'Brick Fairytales, enchanted Bishop Auckland'

    Add Brick Fairytales, Enchanted Bishop Auckland - Bishop Auckland Town Hall to your Itinerary

    Brick Fairytales, Enchanted Bishop Auckland - Bishop Auckland Town Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Bishop Auckland

    Bishop Auckland Town Council is pleased to announce the Brick Fairy tales, Enchanted Bishop Auckland Competition which will open on Monday 17th August 2026, until Sunday 30th August 2026. Step into a world of Fairy tales and discover enchanting…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Aug 2026to30 Aug 2026
    More info for Brick Fairytales, Enchanted Bishop Auckland - Bishop Auckland Town Hall
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