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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: 113

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  1. Painting of Old Locomotive Engine Wylam Coll from the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University

    Add S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    This special exhibition explores the inextricable link between coal mining and the railways.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution
  2. Families enjoying the facilities at Wharton Park

    Add Active Fridays at Wharton Park to your Itinerary

    Active Fridays at Wharton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Primary school aged children in receipt of free school meals can take part in free fitness activities and games at Wharton Park Active Friday workshops over the summer holiday period.

    Dates

    From:
    25 July 2025to29 Aug 2025
    More info for Active Fridays at Wharton Park
  3. High Force Waterfall at sunset

    Add Summer Lates at High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Summer Lates at High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    Evenings Just Got Better at High Force Waterfall. Until the 7th of September we are now open daily until 8pm! Giving you more time to unwind, explore, and catch those spectacular sunset views in one of the North East’s most scenic locations.

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025to7 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 20:00
    More info for Summer Lates at High Force Hotel and Waterfall
  4. 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
  5. A child dressed as a Roman

    Add Summer Fun at Binchester to your Itinerary

    Summer Fun at Binchester

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    Come along to Binchester for a morning of activities:

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:30
    More info for Summer Fun at Binchester
  6. A child holding some corn in the maze

    Add Gigantic Maize Maze at Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    Gigantic Maize Maze at Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Brasside

    A gigantic Maize Maze has opened at Adventure Valley, the environmentally friendly attraction has opened for a sixth consecutive year.

    Dates

    From:
    25 July 2025to1 Sept 2025
    More info for Gigantic Maize Maze at Adventure Valley
  7. Children working on an Archaeological dig

    Add The Bishop Auckland Family Festival 2025 to your Itinerary

    The Bishop Auckland Family Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    An exciting weekend packed with hands-on creative workshops, entertainment, building competitions and activities that encourage imagination and play for people of all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2025to17 Aug 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for The Bishop Auckland Family Festival 2025
  8. Children dressed as knights, holding wooden weapons.

    Add Knight School - Auckland Gardens and Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    Knight School - Auckland Gardens and Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    Join Medieval Prince Bishop Antony Bek’s ranks for an interactive outdoor adventure!

    Dates

    From:
    6 Aug 2025to10 Aug 2025Open 10:30 - 15:45
    From:
    13 Aug 2025to17 Aug 2025Open 10:30 - 15:45
    More info for Knight School - Auckland Gardens and Auckland Palace
  9. Children in Hamsterley Forest searching for stick characters on The Stickman Man Trail. Credit Forestry England Crown Copyright

    Add The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Families can join a new forest adventure as the much-loved character Stick Man, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, returns to Forestry England Hamsterley.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2025to31 Jan 2026
    More info for The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  10. a man demonstrating a science experiment with fire.

    Add Big "Bath Bomb" Science to your Itinerary

    Big "Bath Bomb" Science

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bargate Bank, Lanchester

    This Summer we welcome back Big Science for some more exciting and fun experiments, this time centred around bath bombs.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Aug 2025Open 11:30 - 12:30
    More info for Big "Bath Bomb" Science
  11. Illustration of Toad from The Wind in the Willows

    Add The Wind in the Willows by Illyria - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Wind in the Willows by Illyria - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Durham

    Enjoy Kenneth Grahame's timeless tale of friendship, laughter and the lure of adventure! Enjoy the story where it is set: in the great British outdoors, and told by award-winning performers, Illyria Outdoors Theatre.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025Open 19:00 - 20:45
    More info for The Wind in the Willows by Illyria - Durham Cathedral
  12. HST charter at Stanhope Station - Credit Dan Millard

    Add InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST) at The Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST) at The Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Station Road, Stanhope

    Railway fans and families are in for a treat this summer as the legendary InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST) makes a rare appearance on the scenic Weardale Railway.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    17 Aug 2025
    More info for InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST) at The Weardale Railway
  13. 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
  14. Children and families enjoying the 'Forest of Light' at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Add Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Our Forest of Light is a captivating illuminated experience set within our enchanted ancient woodland.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
    More info for Forest of Light at Beamish Hall Hotel
  15. AGLOW advertising poster with a child looking up to the nights sky with AGLOW illuminated in colours

    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. Kids Kayaking at Seaham Harbour Marina

    Add Adventure Camp to your Itinerary

    Adventure Camp

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    The Waterside, Seaham

    A full afternoon of activities for kids ages 8-16.

    Venue

    Seaham Harbour Marina, Seaham

    Dates

    From:
    6 Aug 2025Open 12:00 -
    From:
    20 Aug 2025Open 12:00 -
    From:
    27 Aug 2025Open 12:00 -
    More info for Adventure Camp
  17. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Forest Club - Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Forest Club - Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Sedgefield

    Forest Club is a hands-on experience designed to engage children with the world around them through natural and play based activities. The programme is aimed at children between two and six years of age. Each session will include a different …

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    28 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Forest Club - Hardwick Park
  18. Adults and children sitting around a campfire toasting Marshmallows

    Add Wild Wednesday to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newbiggin

    Wild Wednesday activities during the summer holidays at Bowlees Visitor Centre. Suitable for children aged five to twelve years and their families. 10.30am to 12.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Aug 2025Open 10:30 - 12:30
    From:
    13 Aug 2025Open 10:30 - 12:30
    From:
    20 Aug 2025Open 10:30 - 12:30
    From:
    27 Aug 2025Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday
  19. The Bowes Museum and grounds

    Add Sensory Packs - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Sensory Packs - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    To ensure everyone can fully enjoy their museum experience, we’ve collaborated with three local schools from across County Durham to create new sensory packs designed to enhance your visit.
    Please ask at Reception if you would like to borrow a…

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:30
    More info for Sensory Packs - The Bowes Museum
  20. Rock Choir performing at Ushaw

    Add Rock Choir at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Rock Choir at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    On Sunday 10 August, the stunning vocal arrangements of the North East’s biggest choir, Rock Choir take to our stunning Rose Garden.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Aug 2025Open 13:30 - 15:00
    More info for Rock Choir at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
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