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    Historical Durham

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Luxmuralis light show in Cathedral

You are here > Home > What's On

Durham, The Culture County

From world-class festivals and exciting events, to incredible cultural developments, community arts activities and vibrant venues – Durham is The Culture County.

unmissable festivals & events

Two people looking at the 1216 Magna Carta at Durham Cathedral Museum

Magna Carta and the North - Durham Cathedral

Openings

2025

11th July 2025-2nd November 2025
Crowds of people at Seaham Food Festival

Seaham Food Festival 2025

Openings

2025

2nd August 2025-3rd August 2025
Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2025

Openings

Gates Open 18:45

2nd August 2025

Gates Open 18:30

9th August 2025

Gates Open 18:15

16th August 2025

Gates Open 18:00

23rd August 2025

Gates Open 17:45

30th August 2025

Gates Open 17:30

6th September 2025

Gates Open 17:15

13th September 2025
PrevPrev
  • 1Magna Carta and the North - Durham Cathedral
  • 2Seaham Food Festival 2025
  • 3Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2025
NextNext
  1. What's on this Week
    What's on this Week
    Find out what’s happening this week across the Culture County. From festivals and exhibitions, to sport and theatre, you’re certain to have an eventful time in Durham.
  2. Spotlight On... Music
    Spotlight On... Music
    Embrace your love of music with an array of exciting festivals, performances and events happening across Durham this year.
  3. 2025 Unmissable Events
    2025 Unmissable Events
    Durham is home to world-class events, discover Durham’s most unmissable for 2025.
  4. Subscribe to the Culture County e-newsletter
    Subscribe to the Culture County e-newsletter
    Sign up to find out what's on across Durham and the latest news.
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This Month

Bowes Museum team giving a 'Spotlight Tour' to two visitors.

Spotlight Tour - The Bowes Museum

S&DR200 logo

S&DR200 - Invention Challenge

People looking at the exhibition display stand at Locomotion

S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion

S&DR Fringe logo

S&DR200 - Festival Fringe

S&DR200 - Memory of a Journey

S&DR200 Festival

Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum

S&DR200 - The Whistle Stop

Shakespeare Recovered: Durham's First Folio - Palace Green Library

LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum

Parkland Play - The Bowes Museum

Sensory Packs - The Bowes Museum

S&DR200 - All Change

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

S&DR200 Public Art Commissions at Locomotion

S&DR200: Tracks of Change

Magna Carta and the North - Durham Cathedral

S&DR200 - STEAM to the Future

PrevPrev
  • 1Spotlight Tour - The Bowes Museum
  • 2S&DR200 - Invention Challenge
  • 3S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion
  • 4S&DR200 - Festival Fringe
  • 5S&DR200 - Memory of a Journey
  • 6S&DR200 Festival
  • 7Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum
  • 8S&DR200 - The Whistle Stop
  • 9Shakespeare Recovered: Durham's First Folio - Palace Green Library
  • 10LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum
  • 11Parkland Play - The Bowes Museum
  • 12Sensory Packs - The Bowes Museum
  • 13S&DR200 - All Change
  • 14S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion
  • 15S&DR200 Public Art Commissions at Locomotion
  • 16S&DR200: Tracks of Change
  • 17Magna Carta and the North - Durham Cathedral
  • 18S&DR200 - STEAM to the Future
NextNext
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    Dance

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  • Durham19 exhibitions

    Exhibitions

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  • Festivals in Durham

    Festivals

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    Food & Drink

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    Outdoors & Nature

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    Sports

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What's New in the Culture County

  1. The Storied Lands
    The Storied Lands
    Set to open in summer 2026, The Storied Lands will be a spectacular daytime attraction within the wider Kynren park in Bishop Auckland. This new theme park will transport visitors through history, myth, and legend, bringing the past to life through breathtaking live-action performances and immersive experiences set against beautifully landscaped historical backdrops.
  2. Aykley Heads Cultural Venue
    Aykley Heads Cultural Venue
    Occupying the site of the former Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery building and its grounds, the new Aykley Heads Cultural Venue will bring together a fusion of art, heritage and science to look to the future and celebrate the county's creativity.
  3. The Story
    The Story
    The grade II listed Mount Oswald has undergone restoration to create an exciting new local history centre – The Story, and a new register office for the county.
  4. S&DR200 Festival
    S&DR200 Festival
    As the cradle of the railways, Durham will play a key role in the historic celebrations and exciting programme, running from March to November 2025.
  5. New Hall – Locomotion
    New Hall – Locomotion
    The museum is now home to the largest undercover collection of heritage rail vehicles in Europe.
  6. The Rising at Raby Castle
    The Rising at Raby Castle
    At Raby Castle they have written the next chapter of history, with 'The Rising' that has restored magnificent spaces to create a destination with a difference.
  7. Redhills
    Redhills
    After almost six years of fundraising, work has now started on the ambitious renewal of Redhills, the historic Durham Miners’ Hall.
  8. Remaking Beamish
    Remaking Beamish
    Remaking Beamish is the biggest development in Beamish Museum’s history. The exciting project includes over 25 new exhibits and attractions and is bringing a new era to the museum.
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Culture County blog

  • Discover Music and Dance across the Culture County

    Discover Music and Dance across the Culture County

    Embrace your love of music and dance and enjoy a variety of music festivals, performances, and events in Durham.

  • Discover Durham's Proud Mining Heritage

    the streets of durham city filled with people during the annual Durham Miners Gala

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns this July to Durham City but did you know as well as "The Big Meeting" there's lots of ways across the county to celebrate our proud mining heritage.   

  • Discover a Staycation in Durham this summer

    Discover a Staycation in Durham this summer

    Durham offers an ideal summer destination with a rich calendar of events, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.

  • Discover Theatre across the Culture County

    Discover Theatre across the Culture County

    Be transported into a world of creativity and storytelling excellence with theatre across the Culture County.

  • Eight events not to miss at The Auckland Project

    group of woman with arms around each other with backs to camera, looking at a stage where performers are singing at Auckland Palace summer concert series.

    Get ready for a season of celebration, music, history, and hands-on family fun at The Auckland Project!

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