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Durham, The Culture County

unmissable festivals & events

People stood watching the traditional lion dance at Millennium Place Durham, part of the Lunar New Tear celebrations.

Chinese New Year 2026

Openings

2026

21st February 2026
child poses with ice culture and flame lit torch outside Durham Cathedral.

Fire and Ice Durham

Openings

2026

27th February 2026-28th February 2026
Crowds of people attending Bishop Auckland Food Festival, Market Stalls, bunting

Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026

Openings

2026

18th April 2026-19th April 2026
  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. Visitors at an outdoor market showing market stalls in Durham
    Spotlight On... Festivals & Exhibitions
    Dive into a world of art, music, and culture at every turn and discover enthralling exhibitions and festivals.
  3. Easter Events
    Easter Events
    Celebrate Easter with family-friendly joy at our curated events in Durham.
  4. 2026 Unmissable Events
    2026 Unmissable Events
    Durham is home to world-class events, discover Durham’s most unmissable for 2026.
  5. 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

A portrait of Joséphine Bowes

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

A Witch and a cat riding a broom. Room on the Broom © 2001 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest

Bride and Groom smiling and pouring drinks, and their wedding party celebrating with their hands in the air behind them. Photo by Lauren Stacey.

Weddings at South Causey Inn

People visiting the library at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

Discover Big Library at Ushaw

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. The Light
    The Light
    'The Light' is a brand-new cultural venue, which will occupy the former DLI Museum building at Akley Heads, bringing art, science, creativity and innovation together right in the heart of Durham City.
  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.