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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: 123

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  1. Someone partaking in an 'Artist Makers' session at The Bowes Museum

    Add Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Make time for making; join in and get creative. An opportunity to try out new techniques, materials and experiment with the Museum’s team of artists, makers and designers in the Create Space.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Jan 2025to3 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum
  2. Painting of Old Locomotive Engine Wylam Coll from the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University

    Add S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    This special exhibition explores the inextricable link between coal mining and the railways.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution
  3. outer space galaxy

    North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is returning for 2025 – running for a week between Friday 24 October and Sunday 2 November.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2025
  4. Crowds enjoy show jumping at Weardale Show.

    Add 155th Weardale Agricultural Show 2025 to your Itinerary

    155th Weardale Agricultural Show 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    St. Johns Chapel

    The Weardale Show returns on Saturday 30th August 2025.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Aug 2025
    More info for 155th Weardale Agricultural Show 2025
  5. Two children dressed in Halloween costumes at Hall Hill Farm

    Add Spooky Half Term at Hall Hill Farm to your Itinerary

    Spooky Half Term at Hall Hill Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Lanchester

    Are you brave enough to come to Hall Hill Farm for a ghoulishly-good time?

    Dates

    From:
    18 Oct 2025to19 Oct 2025
    From:
    25 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for Spooky Half Term at Hall Hill Farm
  6. Korean brooches made by artist Seeun Kim.

    Add Family Activities: Brooch Making Workshop - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Brooch Making Workshop - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Take inspiration from the heavenly Korean jewellery on display made artist Seeun Kim and make your own brooch.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Brooch Making Workshop - Durham University Oriental Museum
  7. People enjoy looking at a fantastic array of intricate LEGO®️ creations at Durham Brick Show.

    Add Durham Brick Show Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Durham Brick Show Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham

    On the weekend of Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2025, feast your eyes on a fantastic array of intricate LEGO®️ creations at Durham Brick Show.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025to14 Sept 2025
    More info for Durham Brick Show Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  8. Military items from WWII

    Add Victory Over Japan Day at The Story to your Itinerary

    Victory Over Japan Day at The Story

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    South Road, Durham

    Durham County Council has planned a programme of family activities at its culture and heritage venue, The Story, to commemorate VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) on Friday 15 August.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for Victory Over Japan Day at The Story
  9. Colourful print of autumn leaf shapes

    Add Family Activities: Falling into Autumn - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Falling into Autumn - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Spot the first signs of autumn and make some autumn leaf art.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Falling into Autumn - Durham University Oriental Museum
  10. six dogs with a cartoon painting of Lumley Castle in the background

    Add Dog Show at Lumley Castle to your Itinerary

    Dog Show at Lumley Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Chester le Street

    Join us for a paw-some day out at Lumley castle Dog Show.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Aug 2025
    More info for Dog Show at Lumley Castle
  11. Aerial view of Ushaw Classic Car and Bike Show

    Add Ushaw Classic Car and Bike Show - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Ushaw Classic Car and Bike Show - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham

    Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show returns for more motoring madness on Saturday 24 May 2025. Featuring hundreds of vintage and classic vehicles, live music, trade stalls and family friendly activities. What’s better than one Ushaw Classic Car & Bike…

    Dates

    From:
    31 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Ushaw Classic Car and Bike Show - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  12. Pockerley at Beamish with three people dressed in period dress

    Add Pockerley 30th Anniversary Celebrations at Beamish to your Itinerary

    Pockerley 30th Anniversary Celebrations at Beamish

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Stanley

    To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening of Pockerley Old Hall, the museum will hold 30 activities at Pockerley between 17th May and 31st December 2025.

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Pockerley 30th Anniversary Celebrations at Beamish
  13. A selection of images of children painting and enjoying craft activities

    Add Wildlife Watch - Rainton Meadows to your Itinerary

    Wildlife Watch - Rainton Meadows

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Houghton le Spring

    If your child cares about nature, loves exploring wild places, learning all about wildlife and making new friends, then Watch is for you!

    Dates

    From:
    31 Aug 2025Open 13:30 - 15:30
    More info for Wildlife Watch - Rainton Meadows
  14. Book related fun at Durham Children's Book Festival. Characters such as the BFG, the Gruffalo and Peter Rabbit with families.

    Add Durham Children's Book Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Children's Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    The Durham Children’s Book Festival is a joyful celebration of reading, creativity, and storytelling, designed to inspire young minds and ignite a lifelong love of books.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2025to15 Aug 2025Open 09:30 - 16:00
    More info for Durham Children's Book Festival
  15. The Bowes Museum and grounds

    Add LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Explore The Bowes Museum’s collection through a different lens and learn about the stories and emotions objects hold through the lived experiences of those who identify as LGBTQIA+.

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum
  16. People sitting in a carriage drawn by two beautiful black horses at Beamish Museum

    Add Attelage Horse Weekend 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Attelage Horse Weekend 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    See a remarkable carriage driving competition by the Concours d'International d'Attelage de Tradition (CIAT) take place around the museum.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025to14 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Attelage Horse Weekend 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  17. Table set for Christmas Day lunch with two glasses of champagne at the Radisson Blu Durham

    Add Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant to your Itinerary

    Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Following the excitement of Christmas Day morning, come together with family and friends, and let the Radisson Blu Durham do all the hard work for you to celebrate your Christmas Day in style.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant
  18. Children exploring the Maize Maze at Thorpe Farm Centre

    Add Maize Maze to your Itinerary

    Maize Maze

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Embark on an exciting hunt through our 4-acre trail. Our Maize Maze is brand new for 2025 with twists, turns and dead ends!!

    Dates

    From:
    28 July 2025to21 Sept 2025Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for Maize Maze
  19. Sunset over Raby Castle, view from the lake

    Add Summer Lates - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Summer Lates - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Staindrop

    Join us for a relaxed Summer Late. Amble in the stunning remodelled walled gardens, enjoy a bite to eat or a glass of wine in the beautiful Vinery and why not treat yourself to something from the stunning Coach House Shop.  A wonderful evening…

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2025to16 Aug 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Summer Lates - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  20. Locomotive outside of Locomotion's Collection Building

    Add S&DR200 - Summer Celebration Festival at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Summer Celebration Festival at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Head down to Locomotion for a summer of fun. Locomotion’s Summer Celebration returns to Shildon from 19 July – 31 August and the programme includes steam rides, a pop-up beach, Flying Scotsman and a rolling programme of activities

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025to31 Aug 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Summer Celebration Festival at Locomotion
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