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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: 75

, currently showing 1 to 20.

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  1. Heritage Open Days Logo

    Heritage Open Days 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026
    More info for Heritage Open Days 2026
  2. 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:
    21 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    More info for Magic at the Movies
  3. Illustration of a spinning wheel and text which says, 'Sleeping Beauty'.

    Add Sleeping Beauty - Seaham Town Council to your Itinerary

    Sleeping Beauty - Seaham Town Council

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Seaham

    In Your Face Theatre present Sleeping Beauty, Tuesday 16th - Saturday 20th December, 2025.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Dec 2025to20 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Sleeping Beauty - Seaham Town Council
  4. Snow covered double decker bus at South Causey Inn

    Add Christmas Eve Santa Lunch at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Eve Santa Lunch at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Make Christmas Eve magical with festive feasting, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa himself!

    Dates

    From:
    24 Dec 2025Open 11:30 -
    More info for Christmas Eve Santa Lunch at South Causey Inn
  5. Close up of Santa's legs sitting in a chair beside a table with a gold bell

    Add Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto to your Itinerary

    Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us, Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus this Christmas in our Enchanted Garden Grotto.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 16:30
    More info for Santa's Enchanted Garden Grotto
  6. 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
  7. Cinderella and Prince Charming

    Add Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall to your Itinerary

    Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Sedgefield

    Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, has revealed a festive programme of entertainment for all ages in the run up to Christmas and beyond – with some magical treats in store for children.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025to3 Jan 2026
    More info for Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall
  8. Cartoon painting of characters from children's animated films

    Add Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A free, community-led film club bringing people together through stories on screen. Each month we show a relaxed, family-friendly movie in the afternoon, followed by an early evening film for general audiences. Third Sunday of every month.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    13 Oct 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  9. A Robin perched on a wooden sculpture.

    Add Father Christmas has Lost his Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas has Lost his Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest in Teesdale

    Wrap up warm and enjoy a wintery walk to High Force Waterfall this December. Collect your complimentary trail sheet from the hotel bar or kiosk and get exploring.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Father Christmas has Lost his Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall
  10. Silhouette of a person photographing The Milky Way from the hillside

    Add Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Due to popular demand, we have laid on this exclusive event to educate the little ones on all things spacey!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    7 Feb 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
  11. Festive illustration of horse carriage rides at South Causey Inn, with silhouette of Santa and his reindeer flying across the sky.

    Add Santa's Horse Carriage Rides at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Santa's Horse Carriage Rides at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Santa’s Magical Horse Carriage Rides, an experience for all the family...

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Santa's Horse Carriage Rides at South Causey Inn
  12. 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:
    20 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    22 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    More info for Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel
  13. A cartoon image of children and adults enjoying an outdoor activity at Auckland Palace Deer Park

    Add Hearth Outdoors at Auckland Palace Deer Park to your Itinerary

    Hearth Outdoors at Auckland Palace Deer Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A free, welcoming programme of nature-based activities designed to help you feel good, connect with others, and explore the green spaces of Auckland Palace Deer Park.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hearth Outdoors at Auckland Palace Deer Park
  14. child poses with ice culture and flame lit torch outside Durham Cathedral.

    Add Fire and Ice Durham to your Itinerary

    Fire and Ice Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Experience the magic of Fire and Ice in Durham, a spectacular winter event transforming Durham City into a captivating wonderland.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Feb 2026to28 Feb 2026
    More info for Fire and Ice Durham
  15. A Christmas evening at Beamish Museum with a vintage car and Christmas lights

    Add Christmas Evenings at Beamish to your Itinerary

    Christmas Evenings at Beamish

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Immerse yourself in an extra-special enchanting evening at Beamish. Enjoy twinkling lights, festive entertainment, and seasonal treats under the night sky.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Dec 2025to19 Dec 2025Open 17:00 - 21:30
    More info for Christmas Evenings at Beamish
  16. Mother holding a baby

    Add Family Wednesday Morning at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Family Wednesday Morning at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Stanley

    A great place to meet other parents with your little one's...

    Dates

    From:
    12 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Family Wednesday Morning at South Causey Inn
  17. 6 members of the cast of Snow White Pantomime at The Witham.

    Add Snow White Pantomime 2025 - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Snow White Pantomime 2025 - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Barnard Castle

    Join us for a magical and hilarious adventure in the classic pantomime ‘Snow White’ at The Witham in Barnard Castle, brought to life by Tom Rolfe Productions!

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Snow White Pantomime 2025 - The Witham
  18. 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
  19. Snow covered double decker bus at South Causey Inn

    Add Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Step into a world of festive enchantment, where the joy of Christmas Eve comes alive...

    Dates

    From:
    24 Dec 2025Open 13:30 -
    More info for Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn
  20. Children's Christmas Party poster with illustrations of gingerbread, baubles, fairy lights and Santa.

    Add Golf Clubhouse Children’s Christmas Party - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa to your Itinerary

    Golf Clubhouse Children’s Christmas Party - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get ready for a festive evening filled with magic & merriment.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Dec 2025to18 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Golf Clubhouse Children’s Christmas Party - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa
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