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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: 98

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  1. 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
  2. Stop motion animation.

    Add Open Art Space: Spooky Animation - Auckland Tower to your Itinerary

    Open Art Space: Spooky Animation - Auckland Tower

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Bishop Auckland

    Flex your crafty, art skills and join animator Sheryl for a series Halloween inspired animation drop in sessions.
    Sheryl Jenkins is a North East based animator and participatory artist. Her artistic practice includes moving image content for theatre…

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2025to1 Nov 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Open Art Space: Spooky Animation - Auckland Tower
  3. Arthur Christmas poster

    Add Grand Cinema at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Film

    Beamish

    Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our beautifully restored 1950s Grand Cinema.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2025to2 Nov 2025
    From:
    29 Nov 2025
    From:
    30 Nov 2025
    From:
    6 Dec 2025
    From:
    7 Dec 2025
    From:
    13 Dec 2025
    From:
    14 Dec 2025
    From:
    20 Dec 2025
    From:
    21 Dec 2025
    More info for Grand Cinema at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  4. Cartoon image of a woman, wearing a tiara, sitting on a throne, reading a book

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

    Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    Take some time out for yourself and get lost in a good book. At this friendly, drop-in book club you can bring something you’re already reading or pick from our shared shelf. Fourth Sunday of every month.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    13 Oct 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  5. Christmas Town at Bishop Auckland photo by Liam Dobinson

    Add Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into a world of festive wonder at Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town, 4-7 December 2025! Join us for four unforgettable days filled with twinkling lights, enchanting markets, live entertainment, and the magic of Santa’s Grotto.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025
    More info for Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town
  6. Cliffecon 2026 advertising poster with event date and location

    Add Cliffecon 2026 to your Itinerary

    Cliffecon 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newton Aycliffe

    Cliffecon 2026 is a comic con and pop culture event in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    9 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Cliffecon 2026
  7. Two children, surrounded by cobwebs, shining a torch into a spooky pumpkin.

    Add Halloween DreamMaze at Wynyard Hall to your Itinerary

    Halloween DreamMaze at Wynyard Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Discover DreamMaze: A Magical, Festive Adventure for the Whole Family!

    Dates

    From:
    19 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for Halloween DreamMaze at Wynyard Hall
  8. Fireworks over the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Fireworks Extravaganza - Hardwick Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Fireworks Extravaganza - Hardwick Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Sedgefield

    Experience the annual Fireworks Extravaganza at Hardwick Hall Hotel.
    Hardwick Hall Hotel presents the annual FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA!

    Dates

    From:
    2 Nov 2025Open 17:00 - 20:00
    From:
    5 Nov 2025Open 17:00 - 20:00
    More info for Fireworks Extravaganza - Hardwick Hall Hotel
  9. Children dressed in Halloween costume on the Ushaw Halloween Trail

    Add All Hallows’ Eve: Daytime Garden Trail to your Itinerary

    All Hallows’ Eve: Daytime Garden Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Durham

    Head through our wicked forest, which have been transformed into haunting trail, filled with wonder, mystery, and a touch of fright.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2025to1 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for All Hallows’ Eve: Daytime Garden Trail
  10. 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
  11. Artist Dinah Kelly in her studio

    Add Enchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile Phone to your Itinerary

    Enchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile Phone

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham City

    Contemporary artist Dinah Kelly shines a light on the protective powers and symbolism of charms, talismans and amulets.

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2025to9 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Enchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile Phone
  12. Children playing at The Bowes Museum

    Add Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Time for The Bowes’ youngest visitors to explore and play in the Conversation Gallery, investigate materials and be creative in this self-led, free-play session.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Jan 2025to8 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum
  13. Josef's restaurant at the Radisson Blu Durham

    Add Family Santa Sunday Lunch to your Itinerary

    Family Santa Sunday Lunch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    A relaxed family-friendly atmosphere, delicious food and a visit from the main man himself – Santa Claus will be delivering a selection box for the kids!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    More info for Family Santa Sunday Lunch
  14. 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:
    22 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2025
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. Launch of Christmas Saturday 8th November, Christmas decoration

    Add Dalton Park Christmas Launch to your Itinerary

    Dalton Park Christmas Launch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Murton

    Welcome in the festive season by joining us on Saturday 8th November from 4.30pm for the official launch of Christmas at Dalton Park!

    Dates

    From:
    8 Nov 2025Open 10:30 - 20:30
    More info for Dalton Park Christmas Launch
  18. Father Christmas sitting in front of a Christmas Tree at Raby Castle

    Add Father Christmas at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    ​​​​​​Experience the Magic of Christmas with Father Christmas in Raby Castle’s Barons’ Hall.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025
    From:
    29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025
    From:
    6 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025
    From:
    13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025
    From:
    19 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Father Christmas at Raby Castle
  19. Santa's Grotto covered in snow at Dalton Park

    Add Dalton Park Santa's Grotto to your Itinerary

    Dalton Park Santa's Grotto

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Murton

    Make your family Christmas truly special this year with a visit to Santa's Grotto at Dalton Park. Children can meet elves packing gifts, ask Santa for their Christmas list and create memories that will last a lifetime in the festive experience…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Nov 2025to9 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    8 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Dalton Park Santa's Grotto
  20. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
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