Skip To Main Content

  • Accommodation
    • Don't Miss
      • City Breaks
      • Spa Breaks
      • Dog Friendly
      • Stunning Stays
    • Hotels
    • B&B and Guest Houses
    • Inns & Pubs
    • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages
      • Self Catering Agencies
    • Caravan, Camping & Glamping
    • Hostels
    • Accessible Accommodation
  • Things to Do
    • Don't Miss
      • Binchester Roman Fort
      • Beamish Museum
      • Bishop Auckland Town Hall
      • Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • Crook Hall Gardens
      • Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre
      • Durham Castle Tours
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Durham Cricket
      • Durham Town Hall
      • Durham University Botanic Garden
      • Durham University Oriental Museum
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • Hardwick Park
      • High Force
      • Killhope
      • Kynren- An epic Tale of England
      • Locomotion
      • Palace Green Library
      • Raby Castle
      • Seaham Harbour Marina
      • The Auckland Project
      • Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery
      • The Bowes Museum
      • Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
      • Wharton Park
    • Attractions
      • Castles & Historic Houses
      • Cathedral & Churches
      • Hands on History
      • Gardens & Parks
      • Family Fun
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Waterfalls & Reservoirs
    • Activities
      • Adventure Activities
      • Cycling
      • Family Fun Activities
      • Festival & Events Organisers
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding
      • Spas
      • Walking
    • Entertainment
      • Cinema
      • Theatre
    • Shopping
      • Antiques
      • Arts & Crafts
      • Farm Shops & Markets
      • Garden Centres
      • Only in Durham
      • Independent Shops & Boutiques
      • Shopping Centres
    • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides
      • Attraction Tours
      • Tour Guides
      • Scenic Tours
      • Cycling Tours
      • Walking Tours
      • Durham City Guide - Churches, Chapels and Cafes
    • Weddings
      • Historic Wedding Venues
      • Hotel Wedding Venues
      • Wedding Fairs & Events
      • Stag & Hen Party Ideas
      • Wedding Packages
  • What's On
    • What's on this Week
    • Family Events
      • Summer Holidays
      • Free Events
    • 2025 Unmissable Events
    • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events
      • Cinema Venues
      • Theatre Venues
    • Sports
    • Dark Skies Events
    • Food & Drink
    • Exhibitions
  • Food & Drink
    • Don't Miss
      • Bishop’s Kitchen at Auckland Palace
      • Botanic Garden Café
      • Cafe Bowes at The Bowes Museum
      • Durham Dales Centre Tea Room
      • El Castillo
      • Gala Lounge
      • High Force Hotel and Waterfall
      • Hotel Indigo Rotunda Bar
      • Jozef’s Riverside Bar & Restaurant
      • Killhope Lead Mining Museum Cafe and Shop
      • Lumley Castle - Knight's Restaurant
      • Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill
      • Ozone at Seaham Hall
      • The Dining Room
      • The Dunes Café
      • The Falls Café at Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • The Garden Gate Café at Crook Hall Gardens
      • The Hamsterley Cafe and Ice Cream Kiosk
      • The Neighbourhood @ Hotel Indigo Durham
      • The Oak Room Restaurant
      • The Tower Cafe
      • The Vinery at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
      • Undercroft Restaurant
      • Ushaw Café
    • Restaurants
    • Tearooms & Coffee Shops
    • Pubs & Bars
    • Get a Taste of Durham
    • Afternoon Tea in Durham
  • Inspire Me
    • Don't Miss
      • Auckland Palace
      • Beamish Museum
      • Dalton Park
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • High Force
      • Killhope
      • Kynren – an epic tale of England
      • North Pennines National Landscape
    • Short Break Ideas
      • Dark Skies
      • Dog Friendly Durham
      • Romantic Getaways
      • Spa Breaks
      • Golf Breaks
      • Weddings
      • City Break
    • Seasonal
      • Spring Breaks
      • Summer Breaks
      • Autumn Breaks
      • Winter Breaks
    • Budget-Friendly Days Out in Durham
    • Explore From Your Door
    • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors
    • Discover Wellness in Durham
    • Go Car Free in Durham
    • Only in Durham
    • Delve Into Our Heritage
    • Durham's Unmissable Highlights
    • Itineraries
    • Durham Videos
  • Explore Durham
    • Durham City
    • Durham Dales
    • Vale of Durham
    • Durham Coast
    • Durham Towns
      • Barnard Castle
      • Bishop Auckland
      • Chester-le-Street
      • Seaham
      • Stanhope
    • North Pennines National Landscape
    • North East England
  • Visitor Information
    • Information Points
    • Maps of Durham
    • Getting to Durham
    • Getting Around Durham
      • Car Hire
      • Taxis
      • Electric Car Charging Points
    • Accessible Durham
    • Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Durham
    • Publications
    • Durham Apps
    • Discover Durham Digitally

Don't Miss

  • A family getting on a tram at Beamish

    Family Fun

  • A couple walking in the Durham Dales

    Walking in Durham

  • Seaham summer beach holiday fun

    Summer Breaks

  • Fireworks at Kynren

    Summer Holidays

A German Flag
This is Durham logo
Menu
  • Durham the Culture County logo
  • Print Logo
Close Navigation

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.

Loading..

Number of results:

Number of results: 86

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Next Next
Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest
  1. Four steam engines at Tanfield

    Add Railway 200: Diesel Pioneers Gala at Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Railway 200: Diesel Pioneers Gala at Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Marley Hill, Tanfield

    Join us this September for the Diesel Pioneers Gala, a standout event in our Tanfield300 celebrations! Taking place on the 20th and 21st of September 2025, this gala is a tribute to the industrial diesel locomotives that played a vital role in…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025to21 Sept 2025
    More info for Railway 200: Diesel Pioneers Gala at Tanfield Railway
  2. Line up details for Derwent Fest 2025

    Add Derwent Fest 2025 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2025

    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:
    15 Aug 2025to16 Aug 2025
    More info for Derwent Fest 2025
  3. S&DR200 logo

    S&DR200 - Invention Challenge

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    S&DR200 and Little Inventors are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway with the S&DR Invention Challenge, inviting Year 5–8 students from Stockton, Darlington, and Durham to reimagine the 4,000 miles of disused…

    Dates

    From:
    10 Feb 2025to31 July 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Invention Challenge
  4. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Passport to Nature: Moth Trapping to your Itinerary

    Passport to Nature: Moth Trapping

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sedgefield

    Join us for a fascinating moth trapping experience as we explore the park, unveiling the incredible diversity of moth species that call Hardwick Park home. Whether you're a budding entomologist, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious about the…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Passport to Nature: Moth Trapping
  5. Two princesses entertaining families at Tweddle Farm.

    Add Princesses & Superheroes - Tweddle Children's Animal Farm to your Itinerary

    Princesses & Superheroes - Tweddle Children's Animal Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Blackhall Colliery

    Join us for a magical day as Princesses and Heroes take over the farm! Dress up as your favourite character and join in with their exciting performances. Face painting will be available throughout the day free of charge!

    Dates

    From:
    2 Aug 2025to3 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Princesses & Superheroes - Tweddle Children's Animal Farm
  6. Fringe Festival logo, colourful image of the Sanctuary Knocker

    Add Durham Fringe Festival: Durham Fringe Family Showcase to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival: Durham Fringe Family Showcase

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    To celebrate the 5th year of the Fringe & our biggest family offering to date, we're hosting a FREE family showcase.

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025Open 13:30 - 14:30
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival: Durham Fringe Family Showcase
  7. The Story at Mount Oswald

    Add S&DR200 - All Change to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - All Change

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    South Road, Durham City

    Through authentic voices from letters, diaries, court papers, and other day-to-day records from their collections, The Story will uncover the impact of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on the socio-economic fabric of the region.  

    Dates

    From:
    25 May 2025to26 Jan 2026
    More info for S&DR200 - All Change
  8. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Hardwick Conservation Champions 2025 to your Itinerary

    Hardwick Conservation Champions 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sedgefield

    Become a Durham Countryside Conservation Champion this Summer through our park experience.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Aug 2025to8 Aug 2025Open 09:00 - 16:00
    More info for Hardwick Conservation Champions 2025
  9. x-ray photograph of a knee joint

    Add Mysterious Mummies at The Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Mysterious Mummies at The Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Learn how archaeologists study Ancient Egyptian mummies and make an x-ray of your own!

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    25 July 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Mysterious Mummies at The Oriental Museum
  10. Someone holding a tortoise in their hand.

    Crazy Creatures - Durham University Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    25 Oct 2025Open 10:30 - 16:00
    More info for Crazy Creatures - Durham University Botanic Garden
  11. Durham Book Festival Logo

    Durham Book Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Durham Book Festival

    Durham

    Durham Book Festival is one of the country’s oldest literary festivals, taking place in and around Durham City, returning this year on 10th to 12th October.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2025to12 Oct 2025
    More info for Durham Book Festival 2025
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. Jeddy Bear and Gary wearing eye masks

    Add Durham Fringe Festival: Jeddy Bear & Gary Save The World to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival: Jeddy Bear & Gary Save The World

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Expect an action-packed adventure with funny skits, games, world record attempts and the usual pie facing madness.

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025to24 July 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival: Jeddy Bear & Gary Save The World
  16. a man demonstrating a science experiment with fire.

    Add Big "Bath Bomb" Science to your Itinerary

    Big "Bath Bomb" Science

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bargate Bank, Lanchester

    This Summer we welcome back Big Science for some more exciting and fun experiments, this time centred around bath bombs.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Aug 2025Open 11:30 - 12:30
    More info for Big "Bath Bomb" Science
  17. a diver under the surface of the ocean

    Add Sunken Shipwrecks at The Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Sunken Shipwrecks at The Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Hunt for the Tek Sing shipwreck and learn how underwater archaeologists study shipwrecks.

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Sunken Shipwrecks at The Oriental Museum
  18. The Bowes Museum and grounds

    Add Parkland Play - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Parkland Play - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Explore the museum with our spotting and drawing activities and enjoy our outside spaces with the Pocket Parkland Playbook, specially designed to help you get creative with the natural materials around you. All available from reception.

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Parkland Play - The Bowes Museum
  19. Children in Hamsterley Forest searching for stick characters on The Stickman Man Trail. Credit Forestry England Crown Copyright

    Add The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Families can join a new forest adventure as the much-loved character Stick Man, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, returns to Forestry England Hamsterley.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2025to31 Jan 2026
    More info for The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  20. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Forest Club - Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Forest Club - Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Sedgefield

    Forest Club is a hands-on experience designed to engage children with the world around them through natural and play based activities. The programme is aimed at children between two and six years of age. Each session will include a different …

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    26 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    28 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Forest Club - Hardwick Park
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Next Next
Loading..Loading..
  • Enewsletter Sign Up

  • Contact Us

  • Print Page
  • Email Page
Home Accommodation
  • Hotels,
  • B&B and Guest Houses,
  • Inns & Pubs,
  • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages,
  • Caravan, Camping & Glamping,
  • Dog Friendly,
  • Hostels,
Things to Do
  • Attractions,
  • Activities,
  • Shopping,
  • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides,
What's On
  • Family Events,
  • 2025 Unmissable Events,
  • What's on this Week,
  • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events,
  • Dark Skies Events,
Food & Drink
  • Restaurants,
  • Tearooms & Coffee Shops,
  • Pubs & Bars,
  • Get a Taste of Durham,
  • Tasty Places to Stay,
  • Foodie Events,
Inspire Me
  • Short Break Ideas,
  • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors,
  • Delve Into Our Heritage,
  • Durham's Unmissable Highlights,
  • Itineraries,
Explore Durham
  • Durham City,
  • Durham Dales,
  • Vale of Durham,
  • Durham Coast,
  • Durham Towns,
  • North East England,
Visitor Information
  • Information Points,
  • Maps of Durham,
  • Getting to Durham,
  • Getting Around Durham,
  • Accessible Durham,
  • Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Durham,
  • Publications,
Submit Event
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Submit Event
  • Terms & Conditions

© Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved

Registered Office: Visit County Durham, East Wing, 1st Floor, Corten House, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TS

  • North East England logo

Ratings & Reviews

Powered By

tripadvisor

  • Durham County Council