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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: 108

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  1. Poster from the 1951 'A Christmas Carol,' Scrooge wearing a long coat, top hat and yellow scarf, looking glumly on the left of the image

    Add Grand Cinema: A Christmas Carol (1951) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: A Christmas Carol (1951) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our beautifully restored 1950s Grand cinema. The Grand cinema, from Ryhope, in Sunderland, has been recreated and brought to life in our 1950s Town.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 14:15 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: A Christmas Carol (1951) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  2. A group of people wearing steam-punk style victorian clothing on a station platform.

    Add Steampunk Weekend to your Itinerary

    Steampunk Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Darlington

    Goggles at the ready! Steampunk Weekend returns bringing two days of fantastical invention, live entertainment, eccentric characters, unique traders and Victorian-inspired adventure. Step into an extraordinary world where steam powers the future,…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to15 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Steampunk Weekend
  3. A small child smiling at a decorated Christmas tree.

    Add Christmas Family Crafts: Make a Winter Decoration to your Itinerary

    Christmas Family Crafts: Make a Winter Decoration

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get creative as a family and make a winter-inspired craft to take home or gift to a loved-one. Make snowflakes, snowdrop decorations and festive gift tags using recycled materials, taking inspiration from the colours, shapes and patterns of winter.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Family Crafts: Make a Winter Decoration
  4. A vibrant and colourful firework display.

    Add Barnard Castle Bonfire Night to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Bonfire Night

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Barnard Castle

    Barnard Castle Christmas Lights in association with The Clique present Bonfire Night with traditional fireworks on Upper Demesnes (opposite The Bowes Museum).

    Dates

    From:
    6 Nov 2026Open 17:30 -
    More info for Barnard Castle Bonfire Night
  5. Christmas characters including snowmen, Santa, reindeers and baubles, on a dark green background.

    Add Children’s Christmas Party In the Clubhouse to your Itinerary

    Children’s Christmas Party In the Clubhouse

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Carville, Durham

    Festive fun for all the family! A fun filled party including disco, party games, delicious food and a special visit from Santa himself!

    Dates

    From:
    16 Dec 2026to17 Dec 2026Open 17:30 - 20:30
    More info for Children’s Christmas Party In the Clubhouse
  6. Close up view of Santa's hand holding a teacup with his little finger pointing out, in front of a plate of croissants.

    Add Breakfast with Santa - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Santa - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Consett

    Ho ho ho! Santa’s coming to town!
    Come and enjoy breakfast with Father Christmas this festive season at Empire Consett where young ones can receive a present and enjoy a light breakfast of toast and pastries with juice or water. Accompanying adults…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 11:30 - 13:00
    From:
    24 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:30
    More info for Breakfast with Santa - Empire Consett
  7. A cartoon illustration of the flying car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, with colourful musical notes in the background and people waving from the car.

    Add Cinema Grand Cinema: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to your Itinerary

    Cinema Grand Cinema: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

    Type

    Type:

    Film

    Stanley

    A down-on-his-luck inventor turns a broken-down Grand Prix car into a fancy vehicle for his children, and then they go off on a magical fantasy adventure to save their grandfather in a far-off land. Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Dec 2026Open 13:30 -
    More info for Cinema Grand Cinema: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
  8. Santa stroking a small brown dog on his lap, a person sit in an arm chair on the right

    Add Paws & Claus 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Paws & Claus 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    A ‘Paw’fect photo opportunity. Join Father Christmas in the Coffee Pot Café at the Entrance Building for a cosy breakfast experience designed especially for visitors and their four‑legged friends.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    18 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    More info for Paws & Claus 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  9. A close up image of Santa smiling with a bucket of popcorn.

    Add Movies and Magic - Elf to your Itinerary

    Movies and Magic - Elf

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Snuggle up in your PJ’s, get comfy to watch the fabulous festive movie Elf, be in awe and entertained by our magician and enjoy endless popcorn, hot dogs, pizzas, potato wedges and Christmas stotties!

    Dates

    From:
    21 Dec 2026Open 14:30 - 18:00
    More info for Movies and Magic - Elf
  10. A garden in front of a historic stone house.

    Add Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Durham

    Autumn has arrived! Leaves are falling, and the gardens are changing from bright green to lovely gold, orange, and brown.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026to8 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens
  11. A Christmas tree standing in Durham Cathedral with presents underneath.

    Add Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the Christmas Tree to your Itinerary

    Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the Christmas Tree

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Come and enjoy a family favourite service in which we light the tree, sing traditional carols and bless the unique nativity scene which was carved by a Durham miner. Durham Cathedral’s beautiful crib scene will be blessed by the Dean, the Very Revd…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 15:30 -
    More info for Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the Christmas Tree
  12. Santa Clause in a sleigh pulled by a light up reindeer.

    Add Santa Visits to your Itinerary

    Santa Visits

    Type

    Type:

    Discover Durham Christmas Event

    Durham

    During 2026 the farm will once again be open for Santa visits!

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    From:
    17 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026
    More info for Santa Visits
  13. Elegant white font which reads 'Breakfast with the Grinch' on a green background with a cartoon grinch character on the bottom left surrounded with go

    Add Breakfast With The Grinch to your Itinerary

    Breakfast With The Grinch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    Bring the whole family along for a magical festive morning filled with Christmas cheer and plenty of mischievous surprises. Keep your eyes peeled for a special green guest who’s known for causing a little festive chaos!

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 12:30
    More info for Breakfast With The Grinch
  14. A large circular standing wreath in an autumnal forest landscape.

    Add The Mischievous Elves of High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    The Mischievous Elves of High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest In Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    This Christmas, step into a world of festive magic at High Force Waterfall. As you wander through the enchanting woodland trail,  you’ll discover that something has gone terribly wrong…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to1 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
    More info for The Mischievous Elves of High Force Waterfall
  15. A vibrant background of pink, gold and blue fireworks in a dark night sky, with white and orange bold text which reads, 'Stanley Fireworks 2026.'

    Add Stanley Fireworks 2026 to your Itinerary

    Stanley Fireworks 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Stanley

    Get ready for a spectacular night of fireworks, live entertainment and family fun! Bring your family and friends and join us for a fantastic night in Stanley!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 17:00 -
    More info for Stanley Fireworks 2026
  16. Craft supplies on a yellow table

    Add Family Activities: Crowd Craft to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Crowd Craft

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Durham

    Spot a huge elephant tusk with a special story to tell and make your own elephant with a wiggly trunk.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Crowd Craft
  17. A vintage Starwars poster witg many iconic characters, with the text 'May The Toys Be With You' in the yellow starwars font, on a black background.

    Add May The Toys Be With You to your Itinerary

    May The Toys Be With You

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Darlington

    From a galaxy far, far away to Hopetown Darlington, celebrate 50 years of Star Wars with one of the UK's finest collections of vintage toys, original cinema posters and memorabilia.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Jan 2027to21 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for May The Toys Be With You
  18. Photograph showing a young girl examining an open book or project during a classroom activity. Bright orange walls, large windows, tables and chairs c

    Add Wonder Workshop: Perspective Drawing to your Itinerary

    Wonder Workshop: Perspective Drawing

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Barnard Castle

    Wonder Workshop explores The Bowes Museum's collection through art, science, technology, engineering and maths, from how mechanisms work to the meaning of symbols in paintings and the history of well-known pieces. This session encourages young…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    9 Feb 2027Open 12:15 - 13:45
    More info for Wonder Workshop: Perspective Drawing
  19. A minimal illustration of a festive market vendor and a customer on a red image with festive items such as snowflakes and candy canes in the backgroun

    Add Festive Artisan Market to your Itinerary

    Festive Artisan Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Seaham

    As the twinkling lights start to glow and the air turns crisp, join us for a weekend of Christmas cheer on 12th & 13th December at Dalton Park Outlet for our Festive Artisan Market.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    More info for Festive Artisan Market
  20. Three singers in traditional clothing, next to a Christmas tree, performing festive live music during Beamish Museum's Christmas Evenings.

    Add Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings to your Itinerary

    Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Beamish Museum Christmas Evening Tickets on Sale Soon!

    Dates

    From:
    3 Dec 2026to4 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    10 Dec 2026to11 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    17 Dec 2026to18 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    More info for Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings
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