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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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  1. Small child playing with paint in a craft session.

    Add Halloween Craft Day - The Story to your Itinerary

    Halloween Craft Day - The Story

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    South Road, Durham

    Gather your little monsters for a spooktacular craft day at The Story!

    Dates

    From:
    26 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Halloween Craft Day - The Story
  2. Two people smiling together looking at a Christmas tree

    Add Christmas Market 2026 - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Market 2026 - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    Three Magical Days of Festive Shopping, Eating and Cheer. Join us this November for a truly magical experience at the Raby Castle's Christmas Market. Whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift, sipping mulled wine, or simply soaking up the festive…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026to29 Nov 2026Open 09:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Market 2026 - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  3. The Snowman playing on a large projector in Durham Cathedral, with a large crowd watching

    Add The Snowman: Film with Live Orchestra - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Snowman: Film with Live Orchestra - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Make it a Christmas to remember with a special screening of the much-loved film. The Snowman, shown on the big screen with its unforgettable soundtrack performed live by a professional orchestra.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Snowman: Film with Live Orchestra - Durham Cathedral
  4. A garden in front of a historic stone house.

    Add Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Durham

    Autumn has arrived! Leaves are falling, and the gardens are changing from bright green to lovely gold, orange, and brown.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026to8 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens
  5. The front of Locomotion Museum covered in snow.

    Add Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Shildon

    Enjoy a festive day out amongst trains, engines and carriages. Highlights include a Christmas Market, Father Christmas in his cosy carriage grotto and free family activities.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027
    More info for Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Close up of a Lego railway under construction

    Add Shildon Brick Show - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Shildon Brick Show - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Shildon

    Feast your eyes on a fantastic array of intricate LEGO® creations at this year's Shildon Brick Show. Hosted in conjunction with Brick Alley Recognised LEGO Fan Community, this exhibition features a wide range of displays and trade stands to…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to15 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Shildon Brick Show - Locomotion
  9. A glowing carved pumpkin, surrounded by other pumpkins.

    Add Floral Pumpkin Workshop - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Floral Pumpkin Workshop - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Stanley

    Enjoy a relaxed and creative evening at South Causey Inn with our beautiful Floral Workshop.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Oct 2026Open 17:00 - 19:30
    More info for Floral Pumpkin Workshop - South Causey Inn
  10. Two children dressed up as a witch and a skeleton, smiling holding pumpkins against a stone wall.

    Add Spooky Half Term - Hall Hill Farm to your Itinerary

    Spooky Half Term - Hall Hill Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Durham

    Are you brave enough to come to Hall Hill Farm for a ghoulishly-good time? There are�lots of extra activities- including giant scarecrows, haunted Sheep Race, Mini Monster Maze, Trick or Treat treasure hunt, choose your pumpkin from the pumpkin…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026to18 Oct 2026Open 10:30 - 17:00
    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 10:30 - 17:00
    More info for Spooky Half Term - Hall Hill Farm
  11. Whimsical festive green and red font of The Elves and the Shoemaker, on a forest green background

    Add The Elves and the Shoemaker - Pantomime - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    The Elves and the Shoemaker - Pantomime - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Step into our sole-ful festive production that’s the perfect fit for families!

    Dates

    From:
    8 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Elves and the Shoemaker - Pantomime - Gala Durham
  12. 2 vibrant fireworks

    Add Fireworks Extravaganza - Hardwick Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Fireworks Extravaganza - Hardwick Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Sedgefield

    Hardwick Hall Hotel present the annual FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA! Experience the annual Fireworks Extravaganza at Hardwick Hall Hotel on Thursday 5th November and Saturday 7th November!

    Dates

    From:
    5 Nov 2026to7 Nov 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Fireworks Extravaganza - Hardwick Hall Hotel
  13. Cartoon monsters in front of a red stage curtain with text that reads, "There's a Monster in your Show."

    Add There’s A Monster In Your Show - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    There’s A Monster In Your Show - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Durham

    Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series comes to Durham in a brand-new musical show.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026to30 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for There’s A Monster In Your Show - Gala Durham
  14. Halloween Fun at the Farm Poster, decorated with two pumpkins and a crow.

    Add Halloween Fun At The Farm - Down At The Farm to your Itinerary

    Halloween Fun At The Farm - Down At The Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Houghton le Spring

    Join us for some Spooky Halloween Fun! Choose from 17th/18th or 24th- 31st October. Visit our outdoor pumpkin patch and choose your pumpkin to carve or take home.(remember to bring your carving kits) Entry to the pumpkin patch is £3.50  on the day…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026to18 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    24 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Halloween Fun At The Farm - Down At The Farm
  15. The planet Saturn in the dark night sky

    Add Saturn At Its Closest - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Saturn At Its Closest - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Saturn – the enigmatic ringed beauty is by far most people’s favorite – I mean if you haven’t looked through a telescope at Saturn then don’t miss this opportunity to do so. With its glorious ring system dazzling the observer as a veritable…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Saturn At Its Closest - Grassholme Observatory
  16. Muppets wearing Victorian Clothing gathered around in the snow in the Muppets Christmas Carol Poster

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

    Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (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:
    28 Nov 2026Open 14:15 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:15 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  17. Santa walking through train carriages.

    Add Father Christmas - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Shildon

    Make magical memories with your family this Christmas. Father Christmas and his cheerful elf are waiting to meet you in his cosy train carriage.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 13:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to14 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 13:00
    From:
    18 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 13:00
    More info for Father Christmas - Locomotion
  18. Family Stargazing. Starry night's sky over High Force Waterfall.

    Add Family Stargazing at High Force - High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Family Stargazing at High Force - High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Forest in Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Looking for a unique and educational family activity in October? Join us for a Family Stargazing Adventure at High Force, a professionally hosted evening designed especially for young explorers aged 5–15.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    More info for Family Stargazing at High Force - High Force Hotel and Waterfall
  19. A close up of a model railway

    Add Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026 - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026 - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Discover the charm of miniature railways at this exciting free event. Marvel at more than 20 model railway layouts in a range of gauges—presented by members of Shildon Model Railway Club and their guests.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026 - Locomotion
  20. A telescope silhouetted against a star-filled night sky, with the Milky Way visible in the background.

    Add Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    A welcome from the lead astronomer at Grassholme Observatory, Gary Fildes. Gary is a very experienced science communicator and astronomer, and founder of the Kielder Observatory, where he was Director and CEO for over 11 years. After the welcome…

    Venue

    Grassholme Observatory, Teesdale

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
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