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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 festive view of a historical stone house, in the snow with a small festive elf looking up to the house.

    Add Little Elves Christmas Hunt to your Itinerary

    Little Elves Christmas Hunt

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Get ready for a festive adventure on the beautiful Castle grounds! Our Little Elves Hunt invites children to follow a trail of Christmas-themed clues, solving puzzles and discovering hidden surprises along the way. It’s the perfect way for little…

    Dates

    From:
    22 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Elves Christmas Hunt
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. A small cream coloured dog wearing a Santa hat in front of a cosy fire place and a Christmas tree.

    Add Santa Paws to your Itinerary

    Santa Paws

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Treat your dog to a festive visit with Santa! Dogs can meet Father Christmas, have their photo taken, and receive a special gift to take home. A fun way to celebrate the season with your four-legged friend.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    17 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Santa Paws
  6. A wintery landscape of Santa's cosy grotto surrounded by  festive animals playing in the snow.

    Add Santa’s Grotto at Dalton Park to your Itinerary

    Santa’s Grotto at Dalton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Seaham

    Ho, ho, ho! Step into the magic of Christmas at our brand-new Santa’s Grotto. Embrace the festive spirit and make family memories as little ones meet Santa in his magical woodland hideaway, enjoy a festive encounter with his cheerful singing…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Santa’s Grotto at Dalton Park
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. A festive wreath and red baubles hanging down, decorate a poster which readss 'Christmas Big Sing with Forget Me Not Singers.'

    Add Christmas Big Sing to your Itinerary

    Christmas Big Sing

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    All are welcome to this year's Christmas Sing-A-Long with Forget Me Nots (Dementia Friendly Singers)

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Big Sing
  11. A statue of Taweret, an Egyptian god in the shape of a combination of a hippopotamus, lion and crocodile.

    Add Family Activities: Build a Beast to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Build a Beast

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham

    Learn about the powerful ancient Egyptian goddess Taweret and build your own mythological creature!

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Build a Beast
  12. 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)
  13. 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
  14. An adult and child browsing through a Christmas market.

    Add Christmas Fair 2026 - Beamish Hall Country Hotel to your Itinerary

    Christmas Fair 2026 - Beamish Hall Country Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    A triple festive treat shopping extravaganza. See the Hall at its fabulously festive best and peruse the stalls displaying their specialist wares from pretty ornaments and gifts to scrumptious treats and drinks! Escape the hustle and bustle of the…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Nov 2026to15 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Fair 2026 - Beamish Hall Country Hotel
  15. A black and white image of Hardwick Park

    Add Father Christmas to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stockton-on-Tees

    Make Christmas extra special this year, visit Father Christmas at Hardwick Park in his Festive Yurt.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    More info for Father Christmas
  16. Santa Claus talking to a small child whist a parent smiles in the background

    Add Winter Wonderland to your Itinerary

    Winter Wonderland

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Winter Wonderland is the greatest Christmas event of the North East! This is a sell out event, so keep eyes open for our annual ticket release in July...

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026
    More info for Winter Wonderland
  17. 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
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