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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: 69

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  1. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham city.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Between 29th July and 2nd August 2026, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts.  Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and…

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival 2026
  2. 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
  3. K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash

    Add K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash to your Itinerary

    K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Step into a world of colour, music, and pure idol magic! Our K-POPping Children's Party is packed with upbeat songs, fun dance routines, adorable meet-and-greet moments, and plenty of photo opportunities to capture every superstar smile.

    Dates

    From:
    29 May 2026Open 17:30 - 19:00
    More info for K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash
  4. 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
  5. Green truck with the name Swamp Thing painted on the side

    Add Truckfest North East 2026 to your Itinerary

    Truckfest North East 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Wolsingham

    Join us for Truckfest North East and be amazed by monster trucks and arena stunt shows.

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 09:00 - 16:00
    More info for Truckfest North East 2026
  6. Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show

    Add Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham

    The Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show returns on Saturday 23 May 2026, bringing a stunning display of vintage, classic, and modern classics to the historic grounds of Ushaw.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026
    More info for Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  7. Ariel view of Wolsingham Show

    Add Wolsingham Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    Wolsingham Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Wolsingham

    Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Wolsingham Show 2026
  8. Crowds sitting on the lawn outside Bishop Auckland College.

    Add Pride Bishop Auckland -  Bishop Auckland College to your Itinerary

    Pride Bishop Auckland - Bishop Auckland College

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Bishop Auckland

    Bishop Auckland Pride returns on Saturday 13 June for a full afternoon of live entertainment, food and community celebration at Bishop Auckland College.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026Open 14:00 - 19:00
    More info for Pride Bishop Auckland - Bishop Auckland College
  9. People wearing clear gloves mixing purple bathbombs at Lanchester Garden Centre.

    Add Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Lanchester

    Join us on 26th May for a fun, hands-on session just for children, where they can get creative making their own colourful, scented bath bombs to take home.

    Dates

    From:
    26 May 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    More info for Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  10. Durham Cathedral Half Term

    Add May Half Term Events - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    May Half Term Events - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham

    This May half term, take inspiration from the life of St Bede (commonly known as 'the Father of English Learning') by heading to the Learning Centre on a weekday to create your own bookmark with a dip pen and ink to take away with you.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026
    More info for May Half Term Events - Durham Cathedral
  11. Yellow classic car at Raby Castle.

    Add Classic Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Classic Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Staindrop

    Classic Car Show – a Raby Castle collaboration with Durham Automobile Club.

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Classic Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  12. Close up shot of an owl.

    Add Wise Like Dad - Father's Day Owl Experience - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Wise Like Dad - Father's Day Owl Experience - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Father's Day

    Lanchester

    Celebrate Father's Day with a truly unforgettable experience Treat Dad to a magical Owl Workshop where he'll meet two incredible stars of the bird world — the elegant Barn Owl and the majestic Great Grey Owl.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026Open 14:00 - 15:30
    More info for Wise Like Dad - Father's Day Owl Experience - Lanchester Garden Centre
  13. Italian vehicles on display at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add The Italian Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Italian Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Staindrop

    Italian Car Show 2026 in collaboration with Auto Italia Magazine.

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Italian Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  14. 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
  15. Audience enjoying outdoor cinema in the sunshine at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add Adventure Cinema – The Gruffalo & Stick Man - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Adventure Cinema – The Gruffalo & Stick Man - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Staindrop

    Adventure Cinema – The Gruffalo & Stick Man (U).

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026Open 13:00 - 17:00
    More info for Adventure Cinema – The Gruffalo & Stick Man - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  16. Child walking over play equipment at Plotters' Forest - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add May Half Term: Cyril the Squirrels Plotters’ Party to your Itinerary

    May Half Term: Cyril the Squirrels Plotters’ Party

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Staindrop

    Cyril the squirrel is new to The Plotter’s Forest, to welcome him the other woodland animals have planned a party! 

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for May Half Term: Cyril the Squirrels Plotters’ Party
  17. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026 to your Itinerary

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into Kynren, a live action outdoor theatre spectacular that immerses you in 2000 years of history on an epic scale.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026
  18. A white Alpaca.

    Add Alpaca Petting to your Itinerary

    Alpaca Petting

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us and Fellside Alpacas for the return of our Alpaca Petting event.

    Dates

    From:
    29 May 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Alpaca Petting
  19. The Craft & Producers' Marquee at Durham Christmas Festival

    Add Durham Christmas Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Christmas Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham Market Place, Durham City

    Durham Christmas Festival returns – the perfect combination of Christmas shopping and seasonal entertainment in the unique and stunning setting that is Durham City Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Christmas Festival
  20. A bee on a purple flower in a wild flower meadow.

    North Pennines NatureFest

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    North Pennines NatureFest is packed with events that celebrate nature, heritage and the landscape in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to7 June 2026
    More info for North Pennines NatureFest
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