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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: 77

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  1. 'Cinderella' glass slipper and snowflakes.

    Add Cinderella Family Show - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa to your Itinerary

    Cinderella Family Show - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    A festive family day out packed with sparkle, songs and silliness. Cinderella brings all the magic of a traditional pantomime, with dazzling costumes, energetic performances and plenty of laughs for kids and grown-ups alike.
    Arrival: 11:30 | Lunch:…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Cinderella Family Show - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa
  2. Two children walking in a dark room at Raby Castle

    Add Horrible Histories Takeover at Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Horrible Histories Takeover at Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop

    Join us this autumn for a Horrible Histories takeover of Raby Castle! From 4th October to 9th November we’re turning back clock to the Measly Middle-Ages.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2025to9 Nov 2025
    More info for Horrible Histories Takeover at Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  3. A visitor to the Faith Museum looking at the Neapolitan Nativity

    Add Neapolitan Nativity - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Neapolitan Nativity - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Market Place, Bishop Auckland

    Be dazzled by our monumental 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene. This remarkable Baroque créche, known in Italian as a presepe, is a giant Nativity scene staged in a true-life Neapolitan setting.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Neapolitan Nativity - The Auckland Project
  4. Cliffecon 2026 advertising poster with event date and location

    Add Cliffecon 2026 to your Itinerary

    Cliffecon 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newton Aycliffe

    Cliffecon 2026 is a comic con and pop culture event in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    9 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Cliffecon 2026
  5. Cartoon painting of characters from children's animated films

    Add Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A free, community-led film club bringing people together through stories on screen. Each month we show a relaxed, family-friendly movie in the afternoon, followed by an early evening film for general audiences. Third Sunday of every month.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    13 Oct 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  6. 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
  7. Arthur Christmas poster

    Add Grand Cinema at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Film

    Beamish

    Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our beautifully restored 1950s Grand Cinema.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025
    From:
    30 Nov 2025
    From:
    6 Dec 2025
    From:
    7 Dec 2025
    From:
    13 Dec 2025
    From:
    14 Dec 2025
    From:
    20 Dec 2025
    From:
    21 Dec 2025
    More info for Grand Cinema at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  8. Image of The Snowman © Snowman Enterprises

    Add The Snowman – Film with Live Orchestra to your Itinerary

    The Snowman – Film with Live Orchestra

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    The College, Durham City

    Make this Christmas truly unforgettable with a special screening of the beloved festive classic The Snowman, brought to life by a live performance from a professional orchestra.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for The Snowman – Film with Live Orchestra
  9. Robin Hood - The Pantomime. Background shows stage curtain.

    Add Robin Hood Pantomime - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Robin Hood Pantomime - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    The Sheriff of Nottingham and Bad Prince John are up to their usual nasty tricks, and only Robin Hood and the Merry  Men and Women of Sherwood Forest can put a stop to their  wicked behaviour.  

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Robin Hood Pantomime - Lumley Castle Hotel
  10. St Peter's Chapel at Auckland Palace

    Add Christmas Carol Service - The Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    Christmas Carol Service - The Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Market Place, Bishop Auckland

    Join us for a magical evening of festive cheer at the historic St Peter’s Chapel, as Revd Dr Chris Knights, Chaplain to the Bishop of Durham, leads a heartwarming carol service filled with seasonal favourites.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 15:00 - 15:50
    More info for Christmas Carol Service - The Auckland Palace
  11. Children playing at The Bowes Museum

    Add Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Time for The Bowes’ youngest visitors to explore and play in the Conversation Gallery, investigate materials and be creative in this self-led, free-play session.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Jan 2025to8 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum
  12. Someone partaking in an 'Artist Makers' session at The Bowes Museum

    Add Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Make time for making; join in and get creative. An opportunity to try out new techniques, materials and experiment with the Museum’s team of artists, makers and designers in the Create Space.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Jan 2025to3 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum
  13. People looking at the exhibition display stand at Locomotion

    Add S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Home to one of largest collections of historic rail vehicles in the world, Locomotion is pulling out all the stops to commemorate S&DR200.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Feb 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion
  14. Four friends enjoying festive drinks at The Bowes Museum Winter Market. ©TheBowesMuseum

    Add The Bowes Museum Winter Market to your Itinerary

    The Bowes Museum Winter Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Barnard Castle

    The galleries and grounds of the French styled Museum in Barnard Castle are once again set to come alive with the sights, sounds and smells of the season as the highly anticipated annual Winter Market returns from Friday 12th  December until Sunday…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Bowes Museum Winter Market
  15. Aerial view of Aglow presented by The Auckland Project

    Add AGLOW - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    AGLOW - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Auckland Palace's dazzling light trail AGLOW will light up the skies of Bishop Auckland once again this Christmas.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for AGLOW - The Auckland Project
  16. Cartoon image of a woman, wearing a tiara, sitting on a throne, reading a book

    Add Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    Take some time out for yourself and get lost in a good book. At this friendly, drop-in book club you can bring something you’re already reading or pick from our shared shelf. Fourth Sunday of every month.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    13 Oct 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  17. Santa Claus wearing glasses and holding popcorn

    Add Magic at the Movies to your Itinerary

    Magic at the Movies

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Get ready to sprinkle some festive magic this December. Prepare for an enchanting evening featuring a fabulous festive movie that will warm your heart.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    More info for Magic at the Movies
  18. Crowds enjoying fairground rides and performances in Sacriston.

    Add Sacriston Christmas Extravaganza - The Fulforth Centre to your Itinerary

    Sacriston Christmas Extravaganza - The Fulforth Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Sacriston

    FREE Christmas Light-switch On! Fairground rides, stage performances & visit Santa in his grotto - all free! Cafe, raffle & tombola inside the community centre.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Nov 2025Open 16:00 - 19:00
    More info for Sacriston Christmas Extravaganza - The Fulforth Centre
  19. A photo of Santa Claus, and a child wearing a Christmas hat.

    Add Winter Wonderland - Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    Winter Wonderland - Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Brasside, Durham

    Winter Wonderland is back for 2025 at Adventure Valley! From the 29th November to the 21st December – Each Weekend AND the 22nd, 23rd December & 24th December. In the ‘Christmas week’.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    22 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Winter Wonderland - Adventure Valley
  20. The Story at Mount Oswald

    Add S&DR200 - All Change to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - All Change

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    South Road, Durham City

    Through authentic voices from letters, diaries, court papers, and other day-to-day records from their collections, The Story will uncover the impact of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on the socio-economic fabric of the region.  

    Dates

    From:
    25 May 2025to26 Jan 2026
    More info for S&DR200 - All Change
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