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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: 101

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  1. A minimal illustration of a festive market vendor and a customer on a red image with festive items such as snowflakes and candy canes in the backgroun

    Add Festive Artisan Market to your Itinerary

    Festive Artisan Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Seaham

    As the twinkling lights start to glow and the air turns crisp, join us for a weekend of Christmas cheer on 12th & 13th December at Dalton Park Outlet for our Festive Artisan Market.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    More info for Festive Artisan Market
  2. A Christmas tree standing in Durham Cathedral with presents underneath.

    Add Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the Christmas Tree to your Itinerary

    Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the Christmas Tree

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Come and enjoy a family favourite service in which we light the tree, sing traditional carols and bless the unique nativity scene which was carved by a Durham miner. Durham Cathedral’s beautiful crib scene will be blessed by the Dean, the Very Revd…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 15:30 -
    More info for Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the Christmas Tree
  3. Bright green fur holding a red candy cane against a red background.

    Add Breakfast with The Grinch & Cindy Lou to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with The Grinch & Cindy Lou

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Get ready for a morning of mayhem as the mean, green, Christmas crunching Grinch takes over breakfast! We’ve teamed up with Make My Day Events to bring Whoville’s most mischievous resident to life, enjoy some Yuletide yumminess with a side of…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026to21 Dec 2026Open 09:30 -
    More info for Breakfast with The Grinch & Cindy Lou
  4. A beautiful saris with a green and yellow pattern.

    Add Family Activities: Creative Threads to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Creative Threads

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Durham

    Get creative and try some simple weaving techniques inspired South Asian saris!

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Creative Threads
  5. A couple performing ballet on a festive stage

    Add Crown Ballet: The Nutcracker - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Crown Ballet: The Nutcracker - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Consett

    The beloved Christmas classic returns! After last year’s acclaimed tour, Crown Ballet® brings back its dazzling production of The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s timeless masterpiece.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Crown Ballet: The Nutcracker - Empire Consett
  6. Film posters for The Grinch, Its A Wonderful Life and Elf on a background of red cinema chairs.

    Add Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    This December, settle in for some much-loved Christmas movies in the Exhibition Hall Theatre. Experience the festive mischief of The Grinch, the timeless magic of It’s a Wonderful Life and the hilarious Christmas spirit of Elf—all on the big screen,…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    More info for Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  7. An adult and small child walking hand in hand down an autumnal path.

    Add Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail to your Itinerary

    Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Step into a world where familiar fairy tales are transformed into imaginative works of art this winter. Explore a collection of fairytale-inspired art installations at Crook Hall Gardens. Art students from Durham Sixth Form Centre drew inspiration…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to28 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail
  8. A black and white image of Hardwick Park

    Add Father Christmas to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stockton-on-Tees

    Make Christmas extra special this year, visit Father Christmas at Hardwick Park in his Festive Yurt.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    More info for Father Christmas
  9. Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones standing side-by side in blue velvet suits against a festive background.

    Add The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season as The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long embarks on its debut UK tour in November and December 2026. Starring much-loved performers and presenters Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, this…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Dec 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral
  10. Fireworks at Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors and crowds below.

    Add Light Up the Park to your Itinerary

    Light Up the Park

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Seaham

    Welcome in the festive season by joining us on Saturday 7th November from 4.30pm to 8.30pm for our much anticipated Light Up the Park Christmas event!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 20:30
    More info for Light Up the Park
  11. 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
  12. Four musicians playing brass instruments.

    Add Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Festive Event

    Durham

    This isn’t just a collection of Christmas music – it’s a celebration of the season’s full emotional range. Joy, wonder, reflection, play. Big bold choruses and quiet, candlelit moments. Music that lets you sing along one minute and stop to breathe…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour - Durham Cathedral
  13. 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
  14. Santa giving a present to a small child in front of two ornate Christmas trees

    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. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. Close up of the Grinch looing quizzical at the camera wearing a Santa hat in the snowy night

    Add Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (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:
    12 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  18. Text reads, 'Holmside Park Christmas Adventure', with images of Santa Claus, a Christmas Tree, snow and presents.

    Add Holmside Park's Christmas Adventure 2026 to your Itinerary

    Holmside Park's Christmas Adventure 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester-le-Street

    Embark on an unforgettable Christmas Adventure at Holmside Park this December! Wander through our beautifully lit Elf Village, where you'll collect magic reindeer dust, write a letter to Santa, make festive crafts with the Holmside Elves and…

    Venue

    Holmside Park, Chester-le-Street

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 18:00
    More info for Holmside Park's Christmas Adventure 2026
  19. Festival of Fireworks - Graphic image of a silhouette of a fairground against an orange sky full of fireworks.

    Add Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside to your Itinerary

    Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Chester-le-Street

    Experience the North East's ultimate Festival of Fireworks, featuring one of the region's largest fireworks, laser and pyrotechnic spectaculars, perfectly choreographed to music against the stunning backdrop of the River Wear at Banks Homes…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside
  20. A vibrant and colourful firework display.

    Add Barnard Castle Bonfire Night to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Bonfire Night

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Barnard Castle

    Barnard Castle Christmas Lights in association with The Clique present Bonfire Night with traditional fireworks on Upper Demesnes (opposite The Bowes Museum).

    Dates

    From:
    6 Nov 2026Open 17:30 -
    More info for Barnard Castle Bonfire Night
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