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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: 36

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  1. A double bill of two jazz musicians, Olivia Cuttill Quintet and King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys, in a vintage style poster.

    Add Double Bill – Olivia Cuttill Quintet / King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Double Bill – Olivia Cuttill Quintet / King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Double Bill: King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys and Olivia Cuttill is presented by Durham Jazz Festival in association with Durham Brass Festival. Olivia Cuttill is an award-winning London-based Jazz trumpet player, composer and lyricist and will be…

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 22:30
    More info for Double Bill – Olivia Cuttill Quintet / King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys - Durham Jazz Festival
  2. Person looking off to the left with a blurred red affect

    Add Eleonora Kouneni - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Eleonora Kouneni - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Eleonora Kouneni is a London-based jazz vocalist and songwriter whose emotive style blends original music with fresh interpretations of timeless jazz standards.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 19:00 -
    More info for Eleonora Kouneni - Durham Jazz Festival
  3. A person singing passionately into a mic, with a person playing the double bass behind them. The image is in black and white.

    Add Zoe Gilby & Andy Champion - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Zoe Gilby & Andy Champion - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Winner of Parliamentary Jazz Awards Jazz Vocalist Of The Year 2019, Zoë has teamed up with her husband, the innovative and powerful double bassist Andy Champion for a voice and double bass duo. This exceptional pairing creates an electrifying…

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    More info for Zoe Gilby & Andy Champion - Durham Jazz Festival
  4. A person with their head rested on their hand, smiling.

    Add Jo Harrop – ‘Love Now, Pay Later’ Hometown Album Launch - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Jo Harrop – ‘Love Now, Pay Later’ Hometown Album Launch - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Jo Harrop brings an intimate and deeply expressive performance blending timeless standards with music from her critically acclaimed albums, alongside guitarist Jamie McCredie and pianist Paul Edis.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Jo Harrop – ‘Love Now, Pay Later’ Hometown Album Launch - Durham Jazz Festival
  5. Two people on stage playing the cello and piano.

    Add Maja Bugge and Dave Evans - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Maja Bugge and Dave Evans - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Maja Bugge blends jazz, improvisation and contemporary composition in atmospheric and deeply personal performances alongside acclaimed pianist Dave Evans.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026Open 19:00 -
    More info for Maja Bugge and Dave Evans - Durham Jazz Festival
  6. Scarecrows and pumpkins in a garden

    Add Halloween Scarecrow Festival - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Halloween Scarecrow Festival - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Stanley

    Step forth… if you dare! This Halloween, South Causey Inn comes alive with fright, fun and plenty of spooky surprises at our Halloween Scarecrow Festival...

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
    More info for Halloween Scarecrow Festival - South Causey Inn
  7. Side profile of a person wearing a blue hat surrounded by darkness.

    Add OUTRI - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    OUTRI - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    OUTRI is the solo bass project of North-East musician Ian ‘dodge’ Paterson, blending jazz, folk, electronica and found sound into atmospheric live-looped pieces. Expect organic shifting textures, rich harmonies and glitchy cinematic detail, all…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 16:00 -
    More info for OUTRI - Durham Jazz Festival
  8. A jazz band playing on a colourful stage.

    Add Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club presents: The Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club presents: The Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Part of Durham Jazz Festival (with Polly Gibbons). The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars are the ‘house’ band at Ronnie Scott’s and have been playing at the club since 2007. The quintet features a vocalist and a saxophonist alongside a trio comprising of…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 22:30
    More info for Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club presents: The Ronnie Scott’s Soho Songbook - Durham Jazz Festival
  9. A person playing the saxophone, with a blue background.

    Add Durham University Jazz Society - Jazz Jam - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham University Jazz Society - Jazz Jam - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Durham University Jazz Society brings together some of the city’s most exciting young musicians for free performances, jam sessions and collaborations, where people can bring instruments and join in.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 20:00 -
    More info for Durham University Jazz Society - Jazz Jam - Durham Jazz Festival
  10. Person smiling whilst playing the piano on stage.

    Add Janette Mason ReWired - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Janette Mason ReWired - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Janette Mason brings her acclaimed trio project ReWired to Durham Jazz Festival, reimagining classic and contemporary songs through bold, inventive jazz arrangements full of groove, creativity and energy.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 16:30 -
    More info for Janette Mason ReWired - Durham Jazz Festival
  11. A person singing into a microphone on a blue stage.

    Add Marvin Muoneké Quartet - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Marvin Muoneké Quartet - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Marvin Muoneké is one of the UK’s rising jazz stars, known for his rich, smooth vocals and charismatic stage presence. Blending the timeless sounds of classic jazz with modern energy, Marvin brings elegance, storytelling and big band spirit to every…

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 16:00 -
    More info for Marvin Muoneké Quartet - Durham Jazz Festival
  12. Festival of Fireworks - Graphic image of a silhouette of a fairground against an orange sky full of fireworks.

    Add Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside to your Itinerary

    Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Chester-le-Street

    Experience the North East's ultimate Festival of Fireworks, featuring one of the region's largest fireworks, laser and pyrotechnic spectaculars, perfectly choreographed to music against the stunning backdrop of the River Wear at Banks Homes…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside
  13. Three people leaning in and smiling at the camera.

    Add Knats - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Knats - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Knats are a Newcastle-born quintet blending sophisticated arrangements, strong melodies and groove-driven modern jazz, earning acclaim through sold out shows and a critically praised debut album.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 21:00 -
    More info for Knats - Durham Jazz Festival
  14. Jazz performers on stage playing their respective instruments, the image is in black and white.

    Add Tom Atkinson’s Electric Miles: Celebrating Jack Johnson - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Tom Atkinson’s Electric Miles: Celebrating Jack Johnson - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Tom Atkinson’s Electric Miles celebrates the centenary of Miles Davis with a powerful tribute to his groundbreaking electric jazz era, revisiting music from the iconic Tribute to Jack Johnson and beyond.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Tom Atkinson’s Electric Miles: Celebrating Jack Johnson - Durham Jazz Festival
  15. Three people standing against a wall, looking straight ahead at the camera.

    Add SULA - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    SULA - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    SULA are a London-based trio bringing fresh energy to the UK jazz scene, with expressive improvisation, sharp interplay and a bold contemporary sound. Featuring Miranda Radford, Aleks Dimitrova and Kezia Abuoma, this rising Tomorrow’s Warriors group…

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for SULA - Durham Jazz Festival
  16. A person sat on stage singing into a microphone, the image is in black and white.

    Add Rivkala - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Rivkala - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Rivkala blends jazz, soul, funk and klezmer into a theatrical cabaret experience filled with sharp wit, powerful vocals and infectious energy.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 18:00 -
    More info for Rivkala - Durham Jazz Festival
  17. Three people playing their respective instruments, bass, guitar and drums in a rehearsal space. The image is in black and white.

    Add The Pete Roth Trio Featuring Bill Bruford - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    The Pete Roth Trio Featuring Bill Bruford - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    The Pete Roth Trio brings together guitarist Pete Roth, bassist Mike Pratt and legendary drummer Bill Bruford for an adventurous and deeply interactive blend of jazz, improvisation and contemporary influences.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 17:30 -
    More info for The Pete Roth Trio Featuring Bill Bruford - Durham Jazz Festival
  18. Wide-field view of the North America Nebula, a vast cloud of glowing green gas and dark dust scattered with thousands of stars.

    Add Why Space Travel is Hard - North Pennines Star Gazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Why Space Travel is Hard - North Pennines Star Gazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Barnard Castle

    Join us for an exciting dark skies event in the Langdon Beck Hotel. The evening will be led by Andy Gray – local astronomer and science educator. The evening will start with a talk from Andy Gray on why space travel is hard. Humanity has come a long…

    Dates

    From:
    22 Oct 2026Open 19:00 - 22:00
    More info for Why Space Travel is Hard - North Pennines Star Gazing Festival
  19. Two people sat facing away from each other, wearing suits and holding a brass instrument.

    Add Vasilis Xenopoulos/Paul Edis Quartet – A Place Called Home - Durham Jazz Festival to your Itinerary

    Vasilis Xenopoulos/Paul Edis Quartet – A Place Called Home - Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Vasilis Xenopoulos and Paul Edis reunite with a world-class quartet performance blending lyrical interplay, virtuoso musicianship and deep roots in the jazz tradition.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 16:00 -
    More info for Vasilis Xenopoulos/Paul Edis Quartet – A Place Called Home - Durham Jazz Festival
  20. L-R John Lyons, Richard Turner and Alan Patrickson.

    Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Old Cinema Launderette in Gilesgate,

    The 2026 Durham Jazz Festival will run from Friday 23rd October through to Sunday 25th October.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026
    More info for Durham Jazz Festival
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