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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: 103

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  1. 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
  2. Child with dinosaur model at High Force Waterfall.

    Add Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Breathe in the fresh summer air and stomp into a prehistoric world of fun at High Force Hotel & Waterfall. Our brand‑new Discover Dinosaurs Trail is waiting for little explorers who love big adventures and fascinating history.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall
  3. Crowds enjoy show jumping at Weardale Show.

    Add 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    St. Johns Chapel

    The Weardale Show returns on Saturday 29th August 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026
    More info for 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026
  4. 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:
    21 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Snakes & Shakes - Lanchester Garden Centre
  5. A beautiful view of the Aurora Borealis in the dark night sky

    Add Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    The event will begin with a personal welcome from our astronomer, 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.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory
  6. County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge. Liz Million, Peterlee Library.

    Add Liz Million - Peterlee Leisure Centre to your Itinerary

    Liz Million - Peterlee Leisure Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    St Cuthbert's Rd, Peterlee

    Love drawing? Join us to take part in a lively and interactive draw-along with the fabulous Liz Million
    Suitable for all ages as long as you can sit and hold a pencil!

    Dates

    From:
    20 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 11:30
    More info for Liz Million - Peterlee Leisure Centre
  7. 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
  8. Camp Dalton cartoon-like text set against a summery backdrop of a camp field, tent and archery props, with a colour signpost providing the details of

    Add Camp Dalton - Dalton Park to your Itinerary

    Camp Dalton - Dalton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Seaham

    Enjoy nostalgic activities, fresh air and good times for little and large adventurers alike. Our outdoor park located outside of Tommy Hilfiger will come alive with nature‑inspired fun, creative challenges and wholesome camp vibes, all led by our…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026to29 Aug 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Camp Dalton - Dalton Park
  9. Father Christmas sitting in an armchair greeting a young family in the cafe

    Add Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Kick off your day with something magical! Join Father Christmas for breakfast in the Coffee Pot Café at the Entrance Building, before he heads off on his Christmas duties.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    More info for Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  10. Text 'Hopetown Comic Con' with Dr. Who's Tardis in the background.

    Add Hopetown Comic Con - Hopetown Darlington to your Itinerary

    Hopetown Comic Con - Hopetown Darlington

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Darlington

    Hopetown Comic Con – Doctor Who Themed Event. 

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Hopetown Comic Con - Hopetown Darlington
  11. Person dressed in a woodlouse costume at Pelton Library, event 19th of August.

    Add Stacey Bone - Story Session - County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge - Pelton Library to your Itinerary

    Stacey Bone - Story Session - County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge - Pelton Library

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Pelton Ln, Pelton

    Join us for an amazing story session with Stacey Bone reading her book The Wonderful Woodlouse (recommended for ages 3-7) on Wednesday 19th August. Free, but places must be booked. Contact Pelton Library to book your place at telephoning 03000…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Aug 2026Open 14:15 - 15:15
    More info for Stacey Bone - Story Session - County Durham Libraries Summer Reading Challenge - Pelton Library
  12. 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
  13. Santa giving a present to a small child in front of two ornate Christmas trees

    Add Father Christmas at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    Experience the Magic of Christmas with Father Christmas in Raby Castle’s Barons’ Hall. Cherish and create new family traditions with a special visit to see Father Christmas at Raby Castle. Bells will ring and footmen will guide you up to the…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Father Christmas at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  14. 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
  15. Member of Beamish Museum staff with a Nutcracker figure and festive decorations in the background.

    Add Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Experience the magic of a traditional Christmas through time at Beamish.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026
    More info for Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  16. Scientist performs an experiment which results in a lot of flames.

    Add Big Science of Sound Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Big Science of Sound Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Lanchester

    Join us this Summer for our very first Big Science of Sound Workshop.

    This session brings sound to life as children experiment with vibrations, learning how sounds are made and how they move through the air. They will even get to make their own…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Big Science of Sound Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  17. Family speaking to staff on a locomotive at Beamish.

    Add Summer of Fun 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Summer of Fun 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    Throughout the summer holidays, experience a variety of engaging activities across the museum’s different time periods.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Summer of Fun 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  18. A historic stone room with low curved ceilings and fairy lights

    Add Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle to your Itinerary

    Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Seated on wooden benches, at wooden tables in the Castles Baronial Hall. A 5-course feast is served with mead & wine, whilst being entertained by Ladies of the court, Court Chamberlain & Herald, with musicians, all in traditional costume.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle
  19. Two photos of people smiling on a blue background surrounded by cartoon books

    Add An Evening with Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    An Evening with Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Join award-winning poet Hollie McNish for a hilarious and heartfelt evening of poetry, reading from her latest collection, Virgin, and unpicking the meaning of the word with her trademark feminist wit, fury and compassion. 

    Dates

    From:
    9 Oct 2026Open 19:00 - 20:00
    More info for An Evening with Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen - Durham Book Festival
  20. Two people working on a large fabric with colourful abstract patterns in blue, orange, and black lines. Focus is on fabric surface.

    Add Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Barnard Castle

    Inspired by Vivienne Westwood's iconic designs, Pattern and Protest invites participants to experiment with fabric by adding marks and messages to create their own bold response. Suitable for families with children aged 5+, the session encourages…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum
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