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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: 22

, currently showing 1 to 20.

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  1. Glenda Young in front of a screen showing her novels, preparing for a talk on, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' at Murton Library.

    Add Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Murton Library to your Itinerary

    Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Murton Library

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Murton, Seaham

    Join Glenda Young for a morning of discussion about her historical sagas and cosy crimes.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Feb 2026Open 10:30 -
    More info for Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Murton Library
  2. 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
  3. Photo of Eirinie Lapidaki, 'The Wives of Halcyon' - Belmont Library.

    Add In Conversation with Eirinie Lapidaki, 'The Wives of Halcyon' - Belmont Library to your Itinerary

    In Conversation with Eirinie Lapidaki, 'The Wives of Halcyon' - Belmont Library

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Join local author Eirinie, 'in conversation' about her writing journey and her debut novel, 'The Wives of Halcyon'.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Feb 2026Open 17:45 -
    More info for In Conversation with Eirinie Lapidaki, 'The Wives of Halcyon' - Belmont Library
  4. Crowds of people at Seaham Food Festival

    Add Seaham Food Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Seaham Food Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Seaham

    The festival welcomes thousands of visitors each year for two days of sun, sea, family fun and, of course, food. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Seaham Food Festival 2026
  5. Ben Lamb, 'You're Nicked! Investigating British Television Police Series' - Thornley Library

    Add Ben Lamb, 'You're Nicked! Investigating British Television Police Series' - Thornley Library to your Itinerary

    Ben Lamb, 'You're Nicked! Investigating British Television Police Series' - Thornley Library

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Thornley, Durham

    With wit, humour and insight, Ben will take us on a journey of British television police series from 1955 to the present. From Dixon of Dock Green to Happy Valley via The Sweeney, the Bill, and Cracker, Ben will outline how this home-grown genre has…

    Dates

    From:
    16 Feb 2026Open 10:00 -
    More info for Ben Lamb, 'You're Nicked! Investigating British Television Police Series' - Thornley Library
  6. Durham Brass Festival logo on colourful backdrop of Durham.

    Durham Brass Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    BRASS is back in 2026 with a fantastic programme of brass-inspired events coming to Durham from 12 - 19 July. 

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to19 July 2026
    More info for Durham Brass Festival 2026
  7. 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 2025to31 May 2026
    More info for S&DR200 Festival
  8. Two staff perched on Victorian steam locomotive ‘Sir Berkeley’.

    Add Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Beamish

    Join us for a Festival of Transport as part of May Half Term!

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026
    More info for Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  9. 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
  10. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham city.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Between 29th July and 2nd August 2026, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts.  Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and…

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival 2026
  11. Durham Jazz Festival Logo

    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
  12. Ignite festival

    Add IGNITE Winter Arts Festival to your Itinerary

    IGNITE Winter Arts Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    IGNITE 2026 is a brand-new winter festival for Bishop Auckland, County Durham  bringing light, creativity and joy to the darkest days of the yeae.  Expect illuminations, a community parade, live performances, hands-on workshops, music, art and…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Feb 2026to22 Feb 2026
    More info for IGNITE Winter Arts Festival
  13. Black and white photo of Ben Lamb, County Durham Libraries Festival of Local Authors, Willington Library.

    Add Ben Lamb, 'You're Nicked! Investigating British Television Police Series' - Willington Library to your Itinerary

    Ben Lamb, 'You're Nicked! Investigating British Television Police Series' - Willington Library

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Willington, Crook

    With wit, humour and insight, Ben will take us on a journey of British television police series from 1955 to the present. From Dixon of Dock Green to Happy Valley via The Sweeney, the Bill, and Cracker, Ben will outline how this home-grown genre has…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Feb 2026Open 10:30 -
    More info for Ben Lamb, 'You're Nicked! Investigating British Television Police Series' - Willington Library
  14. Photos of Jackie Watson and her Apokeri Bay Trilogy, 'A Lefkada Love Story'.

    Add Jackie Watson, 'A Lefkada Love Story' The Apokeri Bay Trilogy - Brandon Library to your Itinerary

    Jackie Watson, 'A Lefkada Love Story' The Apokeri Bay Trilogy - Brandon Library

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Brandon, Durham

    Join us for a morning where we escape to Greece with local author Jackie Watson, and discover how her imagination created the Apokeri Bay Trilogy. 

    Dates

    From:
    19 Feb 2026Open 10:30 -
    More info for Jackie Watson, 'A Lefkada Love Story' The Apokeri Bay Trilogy - Brandon Library
  15. Cartoon image of the performance area with a stage, trees, hills and a yellow aeroplane with a banner with wording Derwent Fest!

    Add Derwent Fest 2026 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Edmundbyers

    A weekend festival of live tribute music, food and drink, and children’s activities and entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, and enjoy some fun, quality time together.

    Venue

    Derwent Waterside Park, Shotley Bridge

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026
    More info for Derwent Fest 2026
  16. child poses with ice culture and flame lit torch outside Durham Cathedral.

    Add Fire and Ice Durham to your Itinerary

    Fire and Ice Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Experience the magic of Fire and Ice in Durham, a spectacular winter event transforming Durham City into a captivating wonderland.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Feb 2026to28 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Fire and Ice Durham
  17. Crowds gather in rainbow colours to celebrate Durham Pride.

    Add Durham Pride 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Pride 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Don't miss out on this opportunity to show your support and have a great time with friends and family. See you there!

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026
    More info for Durham Pride 2026
  18. Durham Cathedral

    Add February half term activities at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    February half term activities at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Enjoy a day out at Durham Cathedral and enjoy colouring activities, alongside free family-friendly mini tours of Durham Cathedral - celebrating 40 years as a UNESCO world heritage site!

    Free Mini Tours

    Monday 23 February - Friday 27 February,…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Feb 2026to1 Mar 2026
    More info for February half term activities at Durham Cathedral
  19. Illustration of a horse and fireworks. Text reads, 'Spring Festival Fireworks Celebration.'

    Add Spring Festival Fireworks - Durham Amateur Rowing Club to your Itinerary

    Spring Festival Fireworks - Durham Amateur Rowing Club

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Green Lane, Durham

    Join us on Monday 16 February for a Spring Festival celebration at Durham Amateur Rowing Club, proudly supported by Durham University.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Feb 2026Open 17:00 - 20:00
    More info for Spring Festival Fireworks - Durham Amateur Rowing Club
  20. Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Sacriston Library.

    Add Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Sacriston Library to your Itinerary

    Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Sacriston Library

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Sacriston, Durham

    Join Glenda Young for a morning of discussion about her historical sagas and cosy crimes.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Feb 2026Open 10:30 -
    More info for Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Sacriston Library
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