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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: 54

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  1. Rosettes from the Durham County Show

    Add The Durham County Show to your Itinerary

    The Durham County Show

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    nr Thornley

    The Annual Durham County Show is a vibrant event featuring a variety of activities and attractions for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for The Durham County Show
  2. People stood watching the traditional lion dance at Millennium Place Durham, part of the Lunar New Tear celebrations.

    Chinese New Year 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Durham City with a programme of exciting events.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2026
    More info for Chinese New Year 2026
  3. Two children in The Plotters' Forest pointing to a dragon hatching from an egg at Raby Castle.

    Add The Plotters' Forest Dragon Quest - Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    The Plotters' Forest Dragon Quest - Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Staindrop

    February Half Term Fun at The Plotters’ Forest Adventure Playground.

    Step into a world of wonder on our brand-new Dragon Quest, weaved amongst the winding paths of our Christmas tree plantation. This family-friendly adventure invites little…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to29 Mar 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Plotters' Forest Dragon Quest - Raby Castle
  4. Artwork and paint.

    Add February Half Term Activities 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    February Half Term Activities 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Explore a range of fun, family activities at Beamish Museum!

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to1 Mar 2026
    More info for February Half Term Activities 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  5. Two members of staff holding knitted Easter items such as eggs, chicks, and hens.

    Add Easter Celebrations - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Easter Celebrations - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Beamish

    Enjoy an Egg-cellent Easter at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Easter Celebrations - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  6. Photography by Claire Collinson. Larger-than-life, soft recreations of an animal

    Add Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    See the museum’s renowned ceramic collection re-imagined into a vibrant and interactive experience for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum
  7. Durham Miners' Gala. Crowds enjoying the Gala outside of the County Hotel. Colliery Banners can be seen as the Bands march through the streets.

    Durham Miners' Gala 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham City

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns on 11th July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026
    More info for Durham Miners' Gala 2026
  8. Crowds of people at Seaham Food Festival

    Add Seaham Food Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Seaham Food Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Seaham

    The festival welcomes thousands of visitors each year for two days of sun, sea, family fun and, of course, food. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Seaham Food Festival 2026
  9. Crowds gather in rainbow colours to celebrate Durham Pride.

    Add Durham Pride 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Pride 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Don't miss out on this opportunity to show your support and have a great time with friends and family. See you there!

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026
    More info for Durham Pride 2026
  10. Durham World Heritage site, Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle and surrounding woodland.

    Add Durham World Heritage Day to your Itinerary

    Durham World Heritage Day

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Join us on Saturday 18th April to celebrate World Heritage Day and visit our wonderful attraction

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026
    More info for Durham World Heritage Day
  11. Cartoon image of the performance area with a stage, trees, hills and a yellow aeroplane with a banner with wording Derwent Fest!

    Add Derwent Fest 2026 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Edmundbyers

    A weekend festival of live tribute music, food and drink, and children’s activities and entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, and enjoy some fun, quality time together.

    Venue

    Derwent Waterside Park, Shotley Bridge

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026
    More info for Derwent Fest 2026
  12. A close up photograph of a Chinese astronomical clock face.

    Add Family Activities: Tick Tock - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Tick Tock - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham City

    Learn all about our special Chinese clock and make a super star decoration to take home.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Tick Tock - Durham University Oriental Museum
  13. Fuzzy Toast, painted jelly figure canvas and clay egg photo holder.

    Add Jelly What? Jelly Who? Craft School - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Jelly What? Jelly Who? Craft School - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us and Craftily Ever After for our very first Jelly What? Jelly Who? Craft School

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2026Open 11:00 - 12:30
    More info for Jelly What? Jelly Who? Craft School - Lanchester Garden Centre
  14. Dragon Scale Slime, a wooden sword and shield and a handmade dragon eye.

    Add How to Train Your Dragon Craft School - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    How to Train Your Dragon Craft School - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us and Craftily Ever After for our very first How to Train a Dragon Crafting School.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2026Open 15:15 - 16:45
    More info for How to Train Your Dragon Craft School - Lanchester Garden Centre
  15. Durham Cathedral

    Add February half term activities at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    February half term activities at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Enjoy a day out at Durham Cathedral and enjoy colouring activities, alongside free family-friendly mini tours of Durham Cathedral - celebrating 40 years as a UNESCO world heritage site!

    Free Mini Tours

    Monday 23 February - Friday 27 February,…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Feb 2026to1 Mar 2026
    More info for February half term activities at Durham Cathedral
  16. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Into the Wild And Step into Storytime at Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Into the Wild And Step into Storytime at Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sedgefield

    Go wild with us this February half term. Build a den with your group, create a fire to toast bread to eat and enjoy a hot chocolate in the comfort of your den. Online booking required. (younger children require additional adult supervision during…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Feb 2026to26 Feb 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Into the Wild And Step into Storytime at Hardwick Park
  17. Silhouette of a person photographing The Milky Way from the hillside

    Add Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Due to popular demand, we have laid on this exclusive event to educate the little ones on all things spacey!

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
  18. Ignite festival

    Add IGNITE Winter Arts Festival to your Itinerary

    IGNITE Winter Arts Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    IGNITE 2026 is a brand-new winter festival for Bishop Auckland, County Durham  bringing light, creativity and joy to the darkest days of the yeae.  Expect illuminations, a community parade, live performances, hands-on workshops, music, art and…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Feb 2026to22 Feb 2026
    More info for IGNITE Winter Arts Festival
  19. A woman leans over a table helping two young children with an arts-and-crafts activity. The children sit at a bright yellow table covered with paper,

    Add Family Open Day - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Open Day - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Join us for a free day of family-friendly activities. Inspired by the museum's Pippa Hale: Pet Project exhibition, enjoy a variety of activities as we celebrate all things pets at the museum.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Family Open Day - The Bowes Museum
  20. A family speaking to Beamish Museum staff before boarding the tram.

    Add Mothering Sunday 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Mothering Sunday 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Mother's Day

    Beamish

    Make treasured memories this Mother’s Day at Beamish!

    Dates

    From:
    15 Mar 2026
    More info for Mothering Sunday 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
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