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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: 60

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  1. outer space galaxy

    North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is returning for 2026 – running between Friday 16 October and Sunday 1 November.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026
  2. Bear on Go-Kart at Adventure Valley

    Add May Half Term - Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    May Half Term - Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Brasside, Durham

    Make the most of May Half Term at Adventure Valley with a fun-filled family day out packed with adventure and play. With over 50 attractions to explore, there is something for everyone, whatever the weather.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for May Half Term - Adventure Valley
  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. A child in rubber boots leans over a rock by a clear stream, arranging small stones into a circular pattern

    Add Wild Wednesday - On the rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday - On the rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature

    Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Wild Wednesdays are outdoor activities suitable for children aged five and over to enjoy and be creative.

    Dates

    From:
    27 May 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday - On the rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre
  5. Image of 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
  6. A child in rubber boots leans over a rock by a clear stream, arranging small stones into a circular pattern

    Add Drop-in Family Activity - On the Rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Drop-in Family Activity - On the Rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature

    Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Investigate the rocks around Bowlees to celebrate European Geoparks Week. Follow the trail to take a walk back in time and see what you can find along the way.

    Dates

    From:
    27 May 2026Open 13:00 - 16:00
    More info for Drop-in Family Activity - On the Rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre
  7. Family walking in the grounds of Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add Dads Go Free Father's Day Weekend - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Dads Go Free Father's Day Weekend - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Father's Day

    Staindrop

    Celebrate Father's Day Weekend at Raby Castle – Dads Go FREE!

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026to21 June 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Dads Go Free Father's Day Weekend - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  8. 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
  9. Two staff perched on Victorian steam locomotive ‘Sir Berkeley’.

    Add Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Beamish

    Join us for a Festival of Transport as part of May Half Term!

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026
    More info for Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  10. South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Add South Causey Monthly Dog Walk to your Itinerary

    South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Dog-Friendly

    STANLEY

    Join the South Causey Dog Walking Club every 1st Saturday of the month at 10 am for a picturesque stroll through the beautiful Beamish Valley. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  11. People enjoy tours at Auckland Gardens.

    Add Auckland Gardens: Weekly Tours - Auckland Gardens to your Itinerary

    Auckland Gardens: Weekly Tours - Auckland Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Bishop Auckland ,

    Uncover the stories behind the gardens, from hidden details to standout features.

    Dates

    From:
    19 May 2026to30 June 2026
    More info for Auckland Gardens: Weekly Tours - Auckland Gardens
  12. Teams of eight racing at Durham Regatta on a beautiful sunny day against the backdrop of Durham Cathedral and Castle.

    Add The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026 to your Itinerary

    The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Old Elvet, Durham City

    Join us for a spectacular weekend of racing and bank-side entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026to14 June 2026
    More info for The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026
  13. 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
  14. A fairground on the street.

    Add Sacriston Party in the Park to your Itinerary

    Sacriston Party in the Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sacriston

    Free community fun day including fairground rides, inflatables, climbing wall, face-painting & much more!

    Dates

    From:
    6 June 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Sacriston Party in the Park
  15. Child with dinosaur model at High Force Waterfall.

    Add May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    May Half Term: 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 May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall
  16. Audience enjoying an evening outdoor theatre performance at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add Outdoor Cinema – Jurassic Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Outdoor Cinema – Jurassic Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Staindrop

    Welcome To Jurassic Park! A roarsome outdoor cinema experience at Raby Castle with a screening of Spielberg's dinosaur classic!

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026Open 18:30 - 22:00
    More info for Outdoor Cinema – Jurassic Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  17. Close up of a large hairy spider.

    Add Inside The World of Spiders - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Inside The World of Spiders - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    After the sell our of our first Spider Discover Workshops we have added 2 extra sessions.

    Dates

    From:
    27 May 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    From:
    27 May 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    More info for Inside The World of Spiders - Lanchester Garden Centre
  18. A small group of adults and children walking away along a leafy forest path in dappled sunlight

    Add Family Friendly Bird Trail at Bowlees - Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Family Friendly Bird Trail at Bowlees - Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature

    Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Self-guided, family-friendly, bird-themed treasure trail, during North Pennines NatureFest.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to7 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Family Friendly Bird Trail at Bowlees - Bowlees Visitor Centre
  19. Model trams and buses as part of the Meccano Exhibition at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.

    Add Meccano Exhibition - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Meccano Exhibition - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Beamish

    Visit the museum's 1950s welfare hall to see marvellous Meccano creations. There'll be a selection of construction sets on display, dating from the early 1900s to the present day.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026to12 July 2026
    More info for Meccano Exhibition - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  20. A child sitting on the ground toasting marshmallows, supervised by an adult - Forest School activities at St Johns Hall Meadowfield.

    Add Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield to your Itinerary

    Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Meadowfield

    Forest school for primary age.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    From:
    18 July 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield
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