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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: 97

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  1. 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
  2. Two people smiling together looking at a Christmas tree

    Add Christmas Market 2026 to your Itinerary

    Christmas Market 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Three Magical Days of Festive Shopping, Eating and Cheer. Join us this November for a truly magical experience at the Raby Castle's Christmas Market. Whether you’re shopping for the perfect gift, sipping mulled wine, or simply soaking up the festive…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026to29 Nov 2026Open 09:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Market 2026
  3. The lake at Hardwick park.

    Add Step into Storytime: We're going on an Elf Chase to your Itinerary

    Step into Storytime: We're going on an Elf Chase

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stockton-on-Tees

    Outdoor discover sessions for 5's and under involving storytelling, crafts activities, interactive trails, games and woodland play

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
    More info for Step into Storytime: We're going on an Elf Chase
  4. Stalls in a Christmas market, full of handmade goods and crafts.

    Add Christmas Markets - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Markets - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Our Christmas Markets are filled with twinkling lights, beautifully dressed stalls, and the comforting scent of mulled wine and seasonal treats in the air. Wander through a handpicked selection of independent traders offering unique gifts,…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    1 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    8 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    15 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    22 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    More info for Christmas Markets - South Causey Inn
  5. An illustration of a bed floating under water with a man smiling whilst being hooked onto a fishing line, surrounded by fish. With the title that read

    Add Grand Cinema: Bedknobs and Broomsticks (PG) to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: Bedknobs and Broomsticks (PG)

    Type

    Type:

    Film

    Stanley

    An apprentice witch, three kids, and a cynical magician conman search for the missing component to a magic spell to be used in the defense of Britain in World War II. Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our…

    Dates

    From:
    30 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: Bedknobs and Broomsticks (PG)
  6. 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
  7. Santa and his helpers aboard the train.

    Add Santa Express - Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Santa Express - Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland,

    Santa Express – A Magical Christmas Journey. Create unforgettable Christmas memories aboard the Santa Express at Weardale Railway. Running on selected dates throughout November and December, this festive heritage train departs from Stanhope Station…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 09:30 - 18:00
    More info for Santa Express - Weardale Railway
  8. The front of Locomotion Museum covered in snow.

    Add Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Shildon

    Enjoy a festive day out amongst trains, engines and carriages. Highlights include a Christmas Market, Father Christmas in his cosy carriage grotto and free family activities.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027
    More info for Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion
  9. 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
  10. Close up of the Grinch looing quizzical at the camera wearing a Santa hat in the snowy night

    Add Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - 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:
    12 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  11. Muppets wearing Victorian Clothing gathered around in the snow in the Muppets Christmas Carol Poster

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

    Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) - 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:
    28 Nov 2026Open 14:15 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:15 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  12. Film posters for The Grinch, Its A Wonderful Life and Elf on a background of red cinema chairs.

    Add Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    This December, settle in for some much-loved Christmas movies in the Exhibition Hall Theatre. Experience the festive mischief of The Grinch, the timeless magic of It’s a Wonderful Life and the hilarious Christmas spirit of Elf—all on the big screen,…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    More info for Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  13. Santa Claus delivering presents under the Christmas tree.

    Add Breakfast with Santa to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Santa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Share a magical morning with the big man himself! We’ve teamed up with Make My Day Events to bring you the ultimate Christmas experience - a festive breakfast filled with sparkle, songs and a sprinkle of Santa magic

    Dates

    From:
    22 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026Open 09:30 -
    More info for Breakfast with Santa
  14. Photograph shows two children visiting a museum display, with young girl wearing colourful unicorn headband viewing a large feathered specimen behind

    Add Wonder Workshop: Animal Automaton to your Itinerary

    Wonder Workshop: Animal Automaton

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    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:
    10 Feb 2027Open 13:30 - 14:45
    From:
    17 Feb 2027Open 13:30 - 14:45
    More info for Wonder Workshop: Animal Automaton
  15. A collage of images of children and adults smiling at illuminated installations. A whimsical font which reads 'Forest of Light.'

    Add Forest of Light 2026 to your Itinerary

    Forest of Light 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Winter Festival

    Stanley

    At night, when the moon takes its place in the sky our Forest of Light comes to life. Our Forest of Light is a captivating illuminated experience set within our enchanted ancient woodland. We have created a world filled with illuminations, music,…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to22 Nov 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00
    From:
    27 Nov 2026to29 Nov 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00
    From:
    4 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00
    From:
    11 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026
    From:
    27 Dec 2026to31 Dec 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00
    More info for Forest of Light 2026
  16. Small child, wearing winter clothes, running through a festive woodland trail

    Add Christmas Family Explorer to your Itinerary

    Christmas Family Explorer

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Make magical memories this Christmas with one simple, all-inclusive ticket. Step into The Enchanted Forest, immerse yourself in Raby Castle at Christmas & enjoy the Deer Park & Walled Gardens.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027Open 10:00 - 14:00
    More info for Christmas Family Explorer
  17. A group of cartoon characters from The Grinch, surrounded by green sparkles.

    Add The Grinch & Friends Festive Family Show to your Itinerary

    The Grinch & Friends Festive Family Show

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Carville, Durham

    Join The Grinch and friends live on stage. Enjoy magical fun and games played with on stage characters like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Elsa singing LIVE! Numerous stage games and prizes, balloon drops and more, includes photographs and meet and…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Grinch & Friends Festive Family Show
  18. An adult holding a baby in festive clothes, looking at a light installation of a bear.

    Add AGLOW 2026 - Auckland Palace and Gardens to your Itinerary

    AGLOW 2026 - Auckland Palace and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Bishop Auckland’s AGLOW light trail is alive!  
    Walk in wonder through one and a half magical miles of light and sound. Imagine a place where an ancient palace overlooks 150 acres of Deer Park that, as the sun sets, comes alive with wonderful lights…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027Open 16:30 - 19:30
    More info for AGLOW 2026 - Auckland Palace and Gardens
  19. A beautiful saris with a green and yellow pattern.

    Add Family Activities: Creative Threads to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Creative Threads

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Durham

    Get creative and try some simple weaving techniques inspired South Asian saris!

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Creative Threads
  20. An illustration of Mary Poppins and Bert, smiling on a white background.

    Add Grand Cinema: Mary Poppins (1964) (U) to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: Mary Poppins (1964) (U)

    Type

    Type:

    Film

    Stanley

    In turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father. Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our beautifully restored 1950s…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Dec 2026Open 13:30 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: Mary Poppins (1964) (U)
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