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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: 95

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  1. The Craft & Producers' Marquee at Durham Christmas Festival

    Add Durham Christmas Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Christmas Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham Market Place, Durham City

    Durham Christmas Festival returns – the perfect combination of Christmas shopping and seasonal entertainment in the unique and stunning setting that is Durham City Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Christmas Festival
  2. 3 children standing whilst Mr and Mrs Clause sit beside them with red presents

    Add Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt to your Itinerary

    Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Step inside the beautifully decorated Yultide Yurt at Raby Castle this Christmas for a magical meet-and-greet with Mr and Mrs Claus Surrounded by sparkling lights and festive décor, enjoy a heart-warming experience.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026
    More info for Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt
  3. Three glowing Christmas trees in an elegant room at Raby Castle

    Add Raby Castle at Christmas to your Itinerary

    Raby Castle at Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Raby Castle is opening it’s doors for Christmas for the second time in five decades to showcase the castle decorated for Christmas, designed by custodian and creative director, Lady Barnard.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Raby Castle at Christmas
  4. 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)
  5. Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones standing side-by side in blue velvet suits against a festive background.

    Add The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season as The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long embarks on its debut UK tour in November and December 2026. Starring much-loved performers and presenters Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, this…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Dec 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral
  6. A group of children and adults sat in a church setting listening to a speaker.

    Add Children's Lantern Parade and Saint Nicholas' Service to your Itinerary

    Children's Lantern Parade and Saint Nicholas' Service

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Build excitement for the Christmas season with a lantern procession from the Market Place to the cathedral. The Lantern Parade will leave the Market Place at 3pm following the Chester-le-Street Salvation Army Band up to Palace Green, and arriving at…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026Open 15:00 -
    More info for Children's Lantern Parade and Saint Nicholas' Service
  7. 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
  8. Photograph of young child creating a craft project at a table, using scissors and patterned red paper. Colourful materials, brushes and tools surround

    Add Winter At The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Winter At The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Barnard Castle

    Enjoy a warming winter day out at The Bowes Museum with a mix of drop-in creative activities, artist-led workshops for children and a brand-new Winter Trail to explore. Adults can settle in for the December meeting of the Bowes Book Club, while Café…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2026to4 Jan 2027Open 10:30 - 16:00
    More info for Winter At The Bowes Museum
  9. A historic stone room with low curved ceilings and fairy lights

    Add Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle to your Itinerary

    Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Seated on wooden benches, at wooden tables in the Castles Baronial Hall. A 5-course feast is served with mead & wine, whilst being entertained by Ladies of the court, Court Chamberlain & Herald, with musicians, all in traditional costume.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle
  10. Green Shrek font, with a green 'S' with Shrek's ears, on a blue sequin background.

    Add DULOG: Shrek The Musical - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    DULOG: Shrek The Musical - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    Shrek the Musical comes to Gala Durham in this hilarious and heartwarming stage spectacular, presented by Durham University’s biggest musical theatre company, DULOG.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Jan 2027to30 Jan 2027Various Opening Times
    More info for DULOG: Shrek The Musical - Gala Durham
  11. Four people wearing red festive clothing, hugging and laughing in the snow with a horse drawn carriage behind.

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

    Grand Cinema: White Christmas (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:
    6 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: White Christmas (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  12. Photograph of an ornate silver swan sculpture displayed in an art-filled interior. Curved neck, textured feathers and leafy trim stand out against pal

    Add Family Story Tour: The Story of the Swan to your Itinerary

    Family Story Tour: The Story of the Swan

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Barnard Castle

    Explore the mechanics behind how the iconic automaton works, watch it come to life during a performance, then get creative and make your own Silver Swan out of clay. Inspired by Rebecca Moss: Dream Machines, discover the fascinating story of the…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    10 Feb 2027Open 11:30 - 12:30
    More info for Family Story Tour: The Story of the Swan
  13. An adult and small child walking hand in hand down an autumnal path.

    Add Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail to your Itinerary

    Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Step into a world where familiar fairy tales are transformed into imaginative works of art this winter. Explore a collection of fairytale-inspired art installations at Crook Hall Gardens. Art students from Durham Sixth Form Centre drew inspiration…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to28 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail
  14. Photograph of a young child with red hair wearing a mustard yellow shirt and beige shorts, smiling while crawling on a large white cushioned surface.

    Add Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    A sensory museum session for little ones and their grown-ups.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    26 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    30 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Bowes Babies - The Bowes Museum
  15. Elegant white font which reads 'Sunday Lunch With Santa' on a burgundy red background with a small cartoon character of Santa Claus in the left corner

    Add Sunday Lunch with Santa to your Itinerary

    Sunday Lunch with Santa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    If there’s one thing that’s better than a delicious Sunday lunch, it’s one with a visit from Santa himself! That’s right – the Big Man in Red is heading to The Manor House Hotel to visit all the boys, girls and parents who have made his Nice List…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 17:00
    More info for Sunday Lunch with Santa
  16. Santa reading a list in a festive grotto

    Add Santa Sunday's - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Santa Sunday's - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Step into the magic of Christmas at South Causey Inn’s Santa Sundays... Join us in the enchanting Old Barn on 6th, 13th or 20th of December for a truly unforgettable festive experience the whole family will love. From the moment you arrive, the…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026Open 11:30 -
    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 11:30 -
    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 11:30 -
    More info for Santa Sunday's - South Causey Inn
  17. 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
  18. Illustrated characters from the Wizard of Oz, included Dorothy in the center, surrounded by Scarecrow, Tinman and the Lion, on a yellow background.

    Add Cinema Grand Cinema: Wizard of Oz (U) to your Itinerary

    Cinema Grand Cinema: Wizard of Oz (U)

    Type

    Type:

    Film

    Stanley

    Young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others’ wishes. Transport…

    Dates

    From:
    31 Dec 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Cinema Grand Cinema: Wizard of Oz (U)
  19. 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
  20. 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
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