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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: 75

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  1. The decorated Throne Room at Auckland Palace

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

    Christmas at Auckland 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 Auckland Palace - The Auckland Project
  2. 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
  3. '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
  4. 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
  5. People stood watching the traditional lion dance at Millennium Place Durham, part of the Lunar New Tear celebrations.

    Chinese New Year 2026 Celebrations - The Year of The Horse

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Durham City with a programme of exciting events.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2026
    More info for Chinese New Year 2026 Celebrations - The Year of The Horse
  6. 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
  7. A child sitting beside an illuminated reindeer on the Enchanted Christmas Trail.

    Add The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail at Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail at Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Enchanted Christmas Trail at The Plotters’ Forest – Day & Evening Experiences. Step into a world of festive wonder this Christmas.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
    From:
    17 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025
    From:
    29 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    1 Jan 2026to4 Jan 2026
    More info for The Plotters’ Forest Enchanted Christmas Trail at Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. Cosy Christmas Mingle. Poster shows festive greenery, fairy lights and stars.

    Add Cosy Christmas Mingle - Merryoaks Community Hall to your Itinerary

    Cosy Christmas Mingle - Merryoaks Community Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Crafts, cakes, biscuit decorating and lots more.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00
    More info for Cosy Christmas Mingle - Merryoaks Community Hall
  11. Cartoon image of the performance area with a stage, trees, hills and a yellow aeroplane with a banner with wording Derwent Fest!

    Add Derwent Fest 2026 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Edmundbyers

    A weekend festival of live tribute music, food and drink, and children’s activities and entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, and enjoy some fun, quality time together.

    Venue

    Derwent Waterside Park, Shotley Bridge

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026
    More info for Derwent Fest 2026
  12. Cinderella and Prince Charming

    Add Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall to your Itinerary

    Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Sedgefield

    Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, has revealed a festive programme of entertainment for all ages in the run up to Christmas and beyond – with some magical treats in store for children.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025to3 Jan 2026
    More info for Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall
  13. Durham Miners' Gala. Crowds enjoying the Gala outside of the County Hotel. Colliery Banners can be seen as the Bands march through the streets.

    Durham Miners' Gala 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham City

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns on 11th July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026
    More info for Durham Miners' Gala 2026
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. Snow covered double decker bus at South Causey Inn

    Add Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Step into a world of festive enchantment, where the joy of Christmas Eve comes alive...

    Dates

    From:
    24 Dec 2025Open 13:30 -
    More info for Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea at South Causey Inn
  17. A frosty, snowy day with High Force waterfall in the distance.

    Add The High Force Polar Quest to your Itinerary

    The High Force Polar Quest

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest in Teesdale

    Step into a frosty woodland world full of winter magic on our self-led High Force Polar Quest Trail.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
    More info for The High Force Polar Quest
  18. Children's Christmas Party poster with illustrations of gingerbread, baubles, fairy lights and Santa.

    Add Golf Clubhouse Children’s Christmas Party - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa to your Itinerary

    Golf Clubhouse Children’s Christmas Party - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get ready for a festive evening filled with magic & merriment.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Dec 2025to18 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Golf Clubhouse Children’s Christmas Party - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa
  19. Josef's restaurant at the Radisson Blu Durham

    Add Family Santa Sunday Lunch to your Itinerary

    Family Santa Sunday Lunch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    A relaxed family-friendly atmosphere, delicious food and a visit from the main man himself – Santa Claus will be delivering a selection box for the kids!

    Dates

    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    More info for Family Santa Sunday Lunch
  20. Children listening to Santa telling a story beside the Christmas Tree

    Add Fireside Story & Breakfast with Santa to your Itinerary

    Fireside Story & Breakfast with Santa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    This Festive season revel in the magic and excitement of Christmas and enjoy a delicious breakfast in comfortable surroundings, complete with fireplace setting and a visit from Father Christmas.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 10:45
    More info for Fireside Story & Breakfast with Santa
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