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You are here > Home > What's On > Festivals

Festivals

Experience the vibrant spirit of Durham with our curated guide to festivals.

From cultural celebrations and music extravaganzas to arts and crafts showcases, Durham's festival scene offers a diverse array of events for every interest. Immerse yourself in the joy of community gatherings, indulge in culinary delights at food festivals, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of local celebrations. Stay updated on the latest festival happenings, and discover the rich tapestry of events that make Durham a festival destination like no other.

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Number of results:

Number of results: 13

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  1. S&DR Fringe logo

    S&DR200 - Festival Fringe

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    The Fringe Festival will include events created by community organisations, local businesses and heritage partners.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2025to30 Nov 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Festival Fringe
  2. Festival of Remembrance service in Durham Cathedral with members of the armed forces marching down the Nave with the Union Jack held high

    Add Festival of Remembrance 2025 in Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Festival of Remembrance 2025 in Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    This moving concert, in aid of the Army Benevolent Fund, the national charity of the British Army, remembers those who have given their lives for their Country, and Service Personnel who put their lives at risk for our liberty today.

    Dates

    From:
    8 Nov 2025Open 19:30 -
    More info for Festival of Remembrance 2025 in Durham Cathedral
  3. Crookfest 26. List of bands, and background image of a crowd with their hands in the air.

    Add Crookfest'26 to your Itinerary

    Crookfest'26

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Willington , Crook

    Crook Fest 2026. ​​​​​One day. Three stages. 18 bands.

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026Open 11:30 - 22:30
    More info for Crookfest'26
  4. Sepia image of No. 1 Locomotive Darlington

    S&DR200 - The Whistle Stop

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    This bespoke touring library exhibition will travel round the region and showcases the Stockton and Darlington Railway's history using high-quality reproductions of important artefacts and documents found and brought together from archives across…

    Dates

    From:
    25 Mar 2025to25 Nov 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - The Whistle Stop
  5. Gigantic illuminated flowers in various colours.  Elysium Garden - Jigantics (UK)

    Add Lumiere Durham to your Itinerary

    Lumiere Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    The UK’s light art biennial. The hugely popular event will take place over three evenings this autumn, from Thursday to Saturday, 13th -15th November.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Nov 2025to15 Nov 2025
    More info for Lumiere Durham
  6. Locomotive pulling a coach pulling a crowd of people

    Add S&DR200 Celebrating Railways: Past, Present and Future at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 Celebrating Railways: Past, Present and Future at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    The highlight of the anniversary year will be Rail Futures, a celebratory festival taking place in late September and early October.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Sept 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for S&DR200 Celebrating Railways: Past, Present and Future at Locomotion
  7. Painting of Old Locomotive Engine Wylam Coll from the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University

    Add S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    This special exhibition explores the inextricable link between coal mining and the railways.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution
  8. Crowds of people attending Bishop Auckland Food Festival, Market Stalls, bunting

    Add Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink Festival

    Bishop Auckland

    A weekend of incredible celebrity chef demonstrations, regional food, drink traders & local entertainers.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026
  9. S&DR 200 logo

    S&DR200 Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    The 27 September 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), which gave birth to the modern railway. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the nine-month S&DR200 Festival will take place across…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2025to30 Nov 2025
    More info for S&DR200 Festival
  10. Two trains parked up in a station

    Add S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    The exhibition will feature the winning entries from a competition to find the UK’s most promising young railway photographers.

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion
  11. The Story at Mount Oswald

    Add S&DR200 - All Change to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - All Change

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    South Road, Durham City

    Through authentic voices from letters, diaries, court papers, and other day-to-day records from their collections, The Story will uncover the impact of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on the socio-economic fabric of the region.  

    Dates

    From:
    25 May 2025to26 Jan 2026
    More info for S&DR200 - All Change
  12. Toy.51 Model Train Set c.1840s at The Bowes Museum. Photography by Claire Collinson.

    Add S&DR200 - Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    An exhibition showcasing historic fashion, toys and artworks that reflect on how the railway reshaped lives and culture.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2025to1 Feb 2026
    More info for S&DR200 - Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail
  13. People looking at the exhibition display stand at Locomotion

    Add S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Home to one of largest collections of historic rail vehicles in the world, Locomotion is pulling out all the stops to commemorate S&DR200.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Feb 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion
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