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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: 103

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  1. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Passport to Nature: Wildfowl Identification to your Itinerary

    Passport to Nature: Wildfowl Identification

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sedgefield

    As autumn fades and winter takes hold, there's no better time to discover the fascinating world of wildfowl at Hardwick Park.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Oct 2025Open 07:00 - 09:00
    More info for Passport to Nature: Wildfowl Identification
  2. six dogs with a cartoon painting of Lumley Castle in the background

    Add Dog Show at Lumley Castle to your Itinerary

    Dog Show at Lumley Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Chester le Street

    Join us for a paw-some day out at Lumley castle Dog Show.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Aug 2025
    More info for Dog Show at Lumley Castle
  3. Crystal bird sitting on a perch.

    Add Family Activities: Beautiful Birds - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Beautiful Birds - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham City

    Spot the crystal bird perching in the Silk Roads Gallery and make your own birdy mobile.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Beautiful Birds - Durham University Oriental Museum
  4. A group of children exploring woodland - Nature Rangers

    Add Nature Rangers at Low Barns Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Nature Rangers at Low Barns Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A group for 11-14 year olds who wish to learn some practical conservation skills, improve ecological knowledge, and enjoy the outdoors.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Nature Rangers at Low Barns Nature Reserve
  5. Santa greeting visitors aboard the Santa Express

    Add Santa Express at Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Santa Express at Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Station Road, Stanhope

    Santa Express returns to Weardale Railway this Christmas.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Santa Express at Weardale Railway
  6. A family enjoying arts and crafts at Ushaw

    Add Summer Holidays at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Summer Holidays at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    We’re celebrating a special summer of stories at Ushaw!

    Dates

    From:
    25 July 2025to1 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Summer Holidays at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  7. 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
  8. Children working with staff to build bird boxes and bug hotels

    Add Homes for Wildlife Workshop - Low Barns Nature Reserve to your Itinerary

    Homes for Wildlife Workshop - Low Barns Nature Reserve

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Witton le Wear

    Join Durham Wildlife Trust staff in creating a variation of wildlife habitats to take home and place in your own garden!

    Dates

    From:
    30 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Homes for Wildlife Workshop - Low Barns Nature Reserve
  9. A cartoon image of children and adults enjoying an outdoor activity at Auckland Palace Deer Park

    Add Hearth Outdoors at Auckland Palace Deer Park to your Itinerary

    Hearth Outdoors at Auckland Palace Deer Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A free, welcoming programme of nature-based activities designed to help you feel good, connect with others, and explore the green spaces of Auckland Palace Deer Park.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hearth Outdoors at Auckland Palace Deer Park
  10. 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
  11. Durham Book Festival 2025 logo

    Durham Book Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Durham Book Festival

    Durham

    Durham Book Festival is one of the country’s oldest literary festivals, taking place in and around Durham City, returning this year on 10th to 12th October.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2025to12 Oct 2025
    More info for Durham Book Festival 2025
  12. Three children peering over a fence in The Plotter's Forest

    Add The Plotters’ Forest Down the Rabbit Hole Trail- Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Plotters’ Forest Down the Rabbit Hole Trail- Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Staindrop

    This summer, embark on a thrilling journey down the rabbit hole.

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025to1 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Plotters’ Forest Down the Rabbit Hole Trail- Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  13. Little girl with fairy wings and a unicorn painted on her forehead

    Add Summer of Magic at The Hole in Wand - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors to your Itinerary

    Summer of Magic at The Hole in Wand - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Murton

    Join us for a spellbinding adventure this July and August as The Hole in Wand brings a touch of enchantment to Dalton Park with their Summer of Magic. Across selected dates, enjoy magical live magician performances and face painting for little…

    Dates

    From:
    22 July 2025to26 Aug 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    16 Aug 2025to30 Aug 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Summer of Magic at The Hole in Wand - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors
  14. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  15. The decorated Throne Room at Auckland Palace

    Add Christmas at the Palace - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Christmas at the Palace - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Market Place, Bishop Auckland

    Immerse yourself in unrivalled festive splendour when you visit Auckland Palace's very special Christmas event.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Christmas at the Palace - The Auckland Project
  16. Two children dressed in Halloween costumes at Hall Hill Farm

    Add Spooky Half Term at Hall Hill Farm to your Itinerary

    Spooky Half Term at Hall Hill Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Lanchester

    Are you brave enough to come to Hall Hill Farm for a ghoulishly-good time?

    Dates

    From:
    18 Oct 2025to19 Oct 2025
    From:
    25 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for Spooky Half Term at Hall Hill Farm
  17. A woman sitting on a bench with a golden retriever in matching yellow coats

    Add Bark in the Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Bark in the Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Dog-Friendly

    Staindrop

    Get ready for a tail-wagging good time at Bark in the Park this September!

    Dates

    From:
    28 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Bark in the Park - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  18. Crook Hall gardens

    Add Nature crafts: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Nature crafts: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Be inspired by nature and create some wild art.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Nature crafts: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens
  19. 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
  20. A young child with curly blonde hair, wearing green dungarees and a striped shirt, walks alone along a grand, ornately decorated museum hallway

    Add Bug Hunt - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Bug Hunt - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Barnard Castle

    Embark on playful bug hunt to spot artworks around the museum that feature insects, vibrant colours and striking patterns. This interactive session invites curious explorers to engage their senses and uncover how nature has inspired artist and…

    Dates

    From:
    22 July 2025to2 Sept 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Bug Hunt - The Bowes Museum
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