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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: 107

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  1. Lush greenery and gardens surrounding a stone building

    Add Heritage Open Days - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Free entry to enjoy the beautiful gardens and Medieval Hall

    Dates

    From:
    16 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Crook Hall Gardens
  2. Roman actor sat on top of a horse with roman armour and a shield.

    Add Roman Commotion - Binchester Roman Fort to your Itinerary

    Roman Commotion - Binchester Roman Fort

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Bishop Auckland

    Join the Roman Commotion at Binchester Roman Fort! Charge into a weekend of Roman Army and archaeology activity at Binchester.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
    More info for Roman Commotion - Binchester Roman Fort
  3. Snakes & Shakes - A snake crawling through a skull next to a photo of a milkshake.

    Add Snakes & Shakes - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Snakes & Shakes - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Do you love snakes? Do you want to learn more about our slithery friends ? Do you also crave delicious milkshakes?
    If you answered yes to any (or all) of the above questions then this event is for you!

    Dates

    From:
    13 Aug 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    From:
    21 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Snakes & Shakes - Lanchester Garden Centre
  4. Two children and their grandmother speak to a Beamish member of staff in Georgian costume as he stands on a replica Georgian steam engine.

    Add Summer of Fun 2026: Step into Stories at Beamish Museum to your Itinerary

    Summer of Fun 2026: Step into Stories at Beamish Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Beamish

    Pick up an activity book from the Entrance, choose from six adventures and enjoy a journey through Beamish from the perspective of a person from the past.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Summer of Fun 2026: Step into Stories at Beamish Museum
  5. Santa and his helpers aboard the train.

    Add Santa Express - Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Santa Express - Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland,

    Santa Express – A Magical Christmas Journey. Create unforgettable Christmas memories aboard the Santa Express at Weardale Railway. Running on selected dates throughout November and December, this festive heritage train departs from Stanhope Station…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 09:30 - 18:00
    More info for Santa Express - Weardale Railway
  6. A beautiful green garden surrounds a historic stone house

    Add The Pantaloons present Twelfth Night - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Pantaloons present Twelfth Night - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Durham

    Enjoy an innovative outdoor theatre performance of the classic Shakespeare play.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    More info for The Pantaloons present Twelfth Night - Crook Hall Gardens
  7. Poster from the 1951 'A Christmas Carol,' Scrooge wearing a long coat, top hat and yellow scarf, looking glumly on the left of the image

    Add Grand Cinema: A Christmas Carol (1951) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: A Christmas Carol (1951) - 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:
    22 Nov 2026Open 14:15 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: A Christmas Carol (1951) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  8. 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
  9. Creative workshops for children of all ages at The Bowes Museum this summer.

    Add Summer Holidays at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Summer Holidays at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    School's out! This summer, discover a packed programme of family-friendly activities inspired by the The Bowes Museum's collection, exhibitions and beautiful parkland.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to30 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Summer Holidays at The Bowes Museum
  10. Buddy from the film Elf (2003) wearing a green festive outfit, smiling with his hands on his hips, on a white background

    Add Grand Cinema: Elf (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: Elf (PG) - 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:
    5 Dec 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: Elf (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  11. Two people looking up to a starry sky with a telescope

    Add Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Due to popular demand, we have laid on this exclusive event to educate the little ones on all things spacey! What better way to get the kids into astronomy and science than a visit to the UK’s newest public observatory. Your little ones will enjoy…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
  12. Little boy in green jacket, peering into binoculars - Nature Spotters at The Bowes Museum

    Add Nature Spotters - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Nature Spotters - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Gather around an indoor campsite to explore the plants and animals that thrive in the museum's surrounding parkland.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Nature Spotters - The Bowes Museum
  13. County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge, 'Bigfoot Beats' at Shildon Library. Photo of a person playing a drum.

    Add Bigfoot Beats - Shildon Library to your Itinerary

    Bigfoot Beats - Shildon Library

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    County Durham Libraries, Summer Reading Challenge, 'Bigfoot Beats' at Shildon Library on Monday 10th August. Time: 10.30-11.30am.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 11:30
    More info for Bigfoot Beats - Shildon Library
  14. Two people stand in a recreated pit cottage, in front of a coal-fired range. One holds a bread display for Harvest Celebration.

    Add Harvest Celebrations at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Harvest Celebrations at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Experience traditional harvest celebrations at Beamish Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Harvest Celebrations at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  15. County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge Bugs N Stuff at Crook Library. Tuesday 11th August.

    Add Bugs n Stuff - Crook Library to your Itinerary

    Bugs n Stuff - Crook Library

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    North Terrace, Crook

    Join the Bugman for a hands-on workshop with some amazing animals - cold, warm, hard, soft, rough, smooth, scaly, silky, slimy, hairy and of course tickly!

    Dates

    From:
    11 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Bugs n Stuff - Crook Library
  16. Child with sword and shield at Raby Castle.

    Add Summer Holidays: Knights and Dragons Family Explorer Tour - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Summer Holidays: Knights and Dragons Family Explorer Tour - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Staindrop

    Join one of our castle characters this school holiday for a free family tour on the castle terrace at 11am. Explore the castle defences and work out how to attack a formidable fortress like Raby! Will the castle be captured or survive an attack?

    Dates

    From:
    13 July 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Summer Holidays: Knights and Dragons Family Explorer Tour - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  17. Three people in Georgian costume stand in front of Pockerley Old Hall at Beamish Museum.

    Add Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Step back to the hustle and bustle of the early 1800s.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  18. Children wearing woolly jumpers and hats, walking through a winter forest trail

    Add The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    Step into a world of festive wonder this Christmas with the Enchanted Christmas Trail at The Plotters’ Forest, located within the stunning surroundings of Raby Castle, Park & Gardens. Twinkling lights, joyful music, and magical touches throughout…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027Various Opening Times
    More info for The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  19. Close up view of Santa's hand holding a teacup with his little finger pointing out, in front of a plate of croissants.

    Add Breakfast with Santa - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Santa - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Consett

    Ho ho ho! Santa’s coming to town!
    Come and enjoy breakfast with Father Christmas this festive season at Empire Consett where young ones can receive a present and enjoy a light breakfast of toast and pastries with juice or water. Accompanying adults…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 11:30 - 13:00
    From:
    24 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:30
    More info for Breakfast with Santa - Empire Consett
  20. Three singers in traditional clothing, next to a Christmas tree, performing festive live music during Beamish Museum's Christmas Evenings.

    Add Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings to your Itinerary

    Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Beamish Museum Christmas Evening Tickets on Sale Soon!

    Dates

    From:
    3 Dec 2026to4 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    10 Dec 2026to11 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    17 Dec 2026to18 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    More info for Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings
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