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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: 56

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  1. Children sitting under a tree with leaves made from pink fairy lights at 'The Hidden Garden: An Immersive Experience'  - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Add The Hidden Garden: An Immersive Experience - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    The Hidden Garden: An Immersive Experience - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Staindrop

    After the success of last summer's immersive experience, the Riding School will be transformed again into the Hidden Garden. The secret escape will be filmed with pastel flowers, earthy green tones, glowing tones, toad stools and a maze of mystery.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to23 Aug 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Hidden Garden: An Immersive Experience - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  2. Durham Brass Festival logo on colourful backdrop of Durham.

    Durham Brass Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    BRASS is back in 2026 with a fantastic programme of brass-inspired events coming to Durham from 12 - 19 July. 

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to19 July 2026
    More info for Durham Brass Festival 2026
  3. Two people working on a large fabric with colourful abstract patterns in blue, orange, and black lines. Focus is on fabric surface.

    Add Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Barnard Castle

    Inspired by Vivienne Westwood's iconic designs, Pattern and Protest invites participants to experiment with fabric by adding marks and messages to create their own bold response. Suitable for families with children aged 5+, the session encourages…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Pattern and Protest - The Bowes Museum
  4. Spidey crouched down low.

    Add Breakfast with Spidey - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Spidey - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Start your morning with a spectacular superhero treat at Breakfast with Spidey — a fun‑filled, family‑friendly event where everyone's favourite web‑slinger swings in to make breakfast unforgettable.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2026Open 09:00 - 10:45
    More info for Breakfast with Spidey - Lanchester Garden Centre
  5. Crowds enjoy show jumping at Weardale Show.

    Add 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    St. Johns Chapel

    The Weardale Show returns on Saturday 29th August 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026
    More info for 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026
  6. 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
  7. Crowds of people enjoying a cricket match at Durham Cricket's Banks Homes Riverside Stadium

    Add Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20 to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    Durham Men and Women kick off their home Vitality Blast campaign against Leicestershire Foxes and Hampshire Hawks in the first of five double headers at Banks Homes Riverside in 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026to10 July 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20
  8. Member of Beamish Museum staff with a Nutcracker figure and festive decorations in the background.

    Add Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Experience the magic of a traditional Christmas through time at Beamish.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026
    More info for Christmas Daytimes - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  9. Image of a trophy and House Banners - 'The House Cup' at The Hole in Wand.

    Add The House Cup - The Hole in Wand to your Itinerary

    The House Cup - The Hole in Wand

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Seaham

    The House Cup
    18th July – 6th September
    Five Houses. Five Locations. One House Cup.

    Venue

    The Hole in Wand, Seaham

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to6 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 18:00
    More info for The House Cup - The Hole in Wand
  10. Image of a group of people at a Durham Book Festival event who are seated and clapping.

    Durham Book Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Durham Book Festival

    Durham

    The Durham Book Festival takes place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, celebrating the power of the written word.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Oct 2026to11 Oct 2026
    More info for Durham Book Festival 2026
  11. People wearing gloves, and mixing purple bath bombs at Lanchester Garden Centre.

    Add Children's Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Children's Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us for another exciting Bath Bomb Workshop that's perfect for keeping the kids entertained! They'll love creating their own colourful, fizzy bath bombs in this hands-on, creative session!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    More info for Children's Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  12. child with seeds in their hand

    Add Wild Wednesday - Seeds of the Summer to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday - Seeds of the Summer

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newbiggin

    Collect seeds from local wildflowers and sow in the tree and wildflower nursery at Bowlees

    Venue

    Bowlees Visitor Centre, Newbiggin

    Dates

    From:
    26 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday - Seeds of the Summer
  13. Toy Story Crafts. Collage of photos showing Toy Story key rings, Etch-A-Sketch and personalised Toy Story room signs.

    Add Galactic Crafts: Toy Story Edition - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Galactic Crafts: Toy Story Edition - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Lanchester

    Join us for a Toy Story craft day packed with creativity! Make your own Alien Key Ring, build an Etch‑A‑Sketch–inspired frame, and design a personalised Toy Story Room Sign. Three crafts, endless fun.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2026Open 15:00 - 16:30
    More info for Galactic Crafts: Toy Story Edition - Lanchester Garden Centre
  14. 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
  15. Ariel view of Wolsingham Show

    Add Wolsingham Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    Wolsingham Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Wolsingham

    Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Wolsingham Show 2026
  16. Child with dinosaur model at High Force Waterfall.

    Add May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Breathe in the fresh summer air and stomp into a prehistoric world of fun at High Force Hotel & Waterfall. Our brand‑new Discover Dinosaurs Trail is waiting for little explorers who love big adventures and fascinating history.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for May Half Term: Discover Dinosaurs at High Force Waterfall
  17. Forky Pen

    Add Forky Pens & Alien Goo Creations - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Forky Pens & Alien Goo Creations - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Lanchester

    Get ready for some Toy Story magic! Join us and Craftily Ever After for a hands‑on craft session where kids can make their own Forky Pen and mix up a pot of bright green Alien Slime. Creative, colourful, and full of character — the perfect family…

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2026Open 13:30 - 14:15
    More info for Forky Pens & Alien Goo Creations - Lanchester Garden Centre
  18. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham city.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Between 29th July and 2nd August 2026, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts.  Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and…

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival 2026
  19. Child looking at a flower using a microscope.

    Add Wild Wednesday - Near and Far to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday - Near and Far

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newbiggin

    Near and far - a fun outdoor activity for children aged 5 and over. All children need to be accompanied by an adult. (Younger siblings are welcome but do not need to book).

    Venue

    Bowlees Visitor Centre, Newbiggin

    Dates

    From:
    5 Aug 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday - Near and Far
  20. Free Family Fun Day Friday 31st July. Poster shows palm trees, beach balls, sunglasses and fair ground rides.

    Add Peterlee Free Summer Fun Day - Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch to your Itinerary

    Peterlee Free Summer Fun Day - Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Helford Road, Peterlee

    Free family fun day.

    Dates

    From:
    31 July 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Peterlee Free Summer Fun Day - Peterlee & Horden Rugby Club Pitch
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