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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: 68

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  1. 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
  2. People enjoying train rides at Locomotion.

    Add May Half Term Fun - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    May Half Term Fun - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Shildon

    We are celebrating the wonder of movement this half term. Be amazed by circus performers who dive and swirl through the air, catch and pop one of the huge bubbles from the Bubble Whisperer or wizz behind our replica Rocket.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026
    More info for May Half Term Fun - Locomotion
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Classic cars on display at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Add Classic Car Day by NECPWA - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Classic Car Day by NECPWA - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Beamish

    Beamish Museum is playing host to The North of England Classic & Pre-War Automobiles Club, with an incredible display of classic vehicles.

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Classic Car Day by NECPWA - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  9. 175 YEARS of Durham Market

    Add Durham Market 175th Anniversary - Through the Decades Weekender to your Itinerary

    Durham Market 175th Anniversary - Through the Decades Weekender

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Durham

    Join us for a huge weekend celebration as we celebrate 175 YEARS of Durham Market.

    Dates

    From:
    22 May 2026to24 May 2026
    More info for Durham Market 175th Anniversary - Through the Decades Weekender
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. Adults and children playing with toy trains at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens.

    Add May Half-Term at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    May Half-Term at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham

    Get ready for fresh air, family fun and adventure this May Half Term at Ushaw!Book your day pass in advance to enjoy discounted entry, or take a look at our great value memberships for even more benefits! Find out more here

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for May Half-Term at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  14. Classic black car at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.

    Add Beamish 53rd Reliability Run - Beamish, The Living Museum of The North to your Itinerary

    Beamish 53rd Reliability Run - Beamish, The Living Museum of The North

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    It's time for the 53rd annual Beamish Reliability Run!

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Beamish 53rd Reliability Run - Beamish, The Living Museum of The North
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. Graphic illustration of Penny Farthings, colourful bunting and crowds enjoying sunny weather.

    Add Barnard Castle Meet  - Barnard Castle & Lower Demesnes to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Meet - Barnard Castle & Lower Demesnes

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Barnard Castle

    A full weekend of fun, tradition & community spirit!

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to25 May 2026
    More info for Barnard Castle Meet - Barnard Castle & Lower Demesnes
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. A beautiful willow swift sculpture crafted by the talented Sylvan Skills – Ruth Thompson.

    Add The Great Swift Name & Make - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors to your Itinerary

    The Great Swift Name & Make - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Murton , Seaham

    Meet our newest arrival in the Pollinator Parks Garden — a beautiful willow swift sculpture crafted by the talented Sylvan Skills – Ruth Thompson. This stunning piece celebrates the incredible pollinators that help our gardens thrive, and we’re…

    Dates

    From:
    25 May 2026
    More info for The Great Swift Name & Make - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors
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