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You are here > Home > What's On > Summer Highlights

Summer Highlights

From festivals and fetes to vintage vehicles and open air theatre, enjoy a packed summer of fun in Durham with events to enthral and excite the whole family.

Embrace the warmth and vibrancy of summer in Durham with our curated guide to seasonal highlights. Discover a plethora of events, from lively festivals and outdoor performances to family-friendly activities and cultural showcases. Immerse yourself in the richness of summer arts, enjoy open-air concerts, and savor culinary delights at seasonal workshops. Whether it's nature excursions or festive celebrations, Durham's summer highlights offer a diverse array of experiences for all. Stay connected with the latest happenings and make the most of your summer in Durham, where every moment becomes a highlight.

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  1. Shoppers on Church Street, Seaham at Seaham Seaside Market

    Add Seaham Seaside Market to your Itinerary

    Seaham Seaside Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Seaham

    Seaham Seaside Market is a weekly market held every Friday.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Seaham Seaside Market
  2. Illustration of Max Richter and Vivaldi standing back to back.

    Add Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    A unique concert will take place at the magnificent Durham Cathedral on the 8th of August!

    Dates

    From:
    8 Aug 2026Open 19:30 - 20:30
    More info for Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons - Durham Cathedral
  3. Summer Craft Fayre. Colourful Illustration of patterned plates, jugs, and vases on a stall.

    Add Summer Craft Fayre - Chester le Street Methodist Church to your Itinerary

    Summer Craft Fayre - Chester le Street Methodist Church

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Chester le Street

    Summer Craft Fayre on Saturday 20th June, 9.30am–1.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026Open 09:30 - 13:30
    More info for Summer Craft Fayre - Chester le Street Methodist Church
  4. Colourful fused glass wind chime.

    Add Fused Glass Wind Chime Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Fused Glass Wind Chime Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Lanchester

    Join us and Nat from Northern Sky Designs for an afternoon of creative fun at our Fused Glass Wind Chime Workshop.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026Open 14:00 - 16:30
    More info for Fused Glass Wind Chime Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  5. People outside Brancepeth Castle on a sunny day enjoying the Summer Craft Fair.

    Add Brancepeth Castle Summer Craft Fair 2026 to your Itinerary

    Brancepeth Castle Summer Craft Fair 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Durham

    A spectacular three -day craft fair in a country castle! 70 stalls of unique crafts. Cafes open serving delicious home made food and cakes. Craft workshops and activities.

    Dates

    From:
    24 July 2026to25 July 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    26 July 2026Open 12:00 - 17:00
    More info for Brancepeth Castle Summer Craft Fair 2026
  6. Behind the Scenes Tour of Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Add Behind the Scenes Tour of Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Behind the Scenes Tour of Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Staindrop

    Behind The Scenes Tour of Raby Castle.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 10:30 - 14:30
    More info for Behind the Scenes Tour of Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  7. Tibetan and crystal singing bowls

    Add Sound Bath & Meditation Session - Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Sound Bath & Meditation Session - Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Staindrop

    Experience a profound and restorative Sound Bath & Meditation session under the expert guidance of Stephen, a highly qualified meditation instructor, set within the tranquil and historic surroundings of Raby Castle. This one-hour session offers an…

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2026
    More info for Sound Bath & Meditation Session - Raby Castle
  8. An ornate 19th-century lace parasol with an intricately patterned cream lace canopy. The handle is made of ivory or bone with a decorative metal finia

    Add Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection to your Itinerary

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection marks 20 years since the landmark exhibition Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection and commemorates the gift of the Blackborne lace collection to The Bowes Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to11 Apr 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection
  9. Peterlee Comic Con advertising poster

    Add Peterlee Comic Con to your Itinerary

    Peterlee Comic Con

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Peterlee

    The inaugural Peterlee Comic Con will have special guests.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Peterlee Comic Con
  10. Carrie Hope Fletcher concert poster

    Add Carrie Hope Fletcher: The Ghost Light Tour to your Itinerary

    Carrie Hope Fletcher: The Ghost Light Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Carrie Hope Fletcher (Heathers, Cinderella, Calamity Jane), one of the UK's most beloved musical theatre stars, is set to light up cathedrals across the UK in her breathtaking new Ghost Light concert tour.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Oct 2026Open 19:30 - 22:30
    More info for Carrie Hope Fletcher: The Ghost Light Tour
  11. Close up of vegetables at market stall. Person standing next to veg.

    Add Consett Market to your Itinerary

    Consett Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Consett

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Consett Market
  12. Roger Wagner The Seeds of Eternity exhibition.

    Add Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    The Bishop Trevor Rooms at Auckland Palace will host an exhibition of the works of artist and poet Roger Wagner. Weaving together Biblical narratives and contemporary landscapes, Wagner's visionary paintings explore the mysteries of human existence.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace
  13. Wellbeing equipment in preparation for wellness treatments.

    Add Wellbeing Retreats - Crux Fitness to your Itinerary

    Wellbeing Retreats - Crux Fitness

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Stanley

    Our wellbeing retreats are a unique experience providing skills and techniques to help reset your nervous system and tackle the stresses of every day life.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026Open 10:00 -
    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 10:00 -
    More info for Wellbeing Retreats - Crux Fitness
  14. The Girl on a Train - 28th June - 4th July 2026. Poster shows an illustration of Rachel Watson looking out the train window.

    Add The Girl on a Train Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    The Girl on a Train Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    Adapted from the book by Paula Hawkins. A thriller. Has Rachel Watson witnessed a murder or is she a suspect?

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    29 June 2026to3 July 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    4 July 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for The Girl on a Train Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel - The City Theatre
  15. People enjoying Adventure Cinema at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens on a summer evening.

    Add Adventure Cinema – Dirty Dancing - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Adventure Cinema – Dirty Dancing - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Staindrop

    Dirty Dancing Outdoor Cinema at Raby Castle. The perfect family day out! Join us for an incredible open-air cinema experience at Raby Castle with a screening of the fantastic Dirty Dancing. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket or camping chairs, and enjoy…

    Dates

    From:
    10 July 2026Open 18:00 - 22:00
    More info for Adventure Cinema – Dirty Dancing - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  16. Audience enjoying an outdoor screening at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

    Add Adventure Cinema – Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Adventure Cinema – Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Staindrop

    This summer, experience the magic of Andrea Bocelli's 30-year career on a huge open-air screen. Filmed at the iconic Teatro del Silenzio (Theater of Silence) in Lajatico, Italy, this unforgettable concert features his greatest hits and special guest…

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026Open 14:00 - 18:00
    More info for Adventure Cinema – Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  17. Audience enjoying Open Air Theatre at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Add Open Air Theatre – The Three Inch Fools – King Arthur and the Holy Fail to your Itinerary

    Open Air Theatre – The Three Inch Fools – King Arthur and the Holy Fail

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Staindrop

    Join us for a magical evening as we welcome back the brilliant Three Inch Fools to present an epic tale of Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem, in the atmospheric setting of Raby Castle's open-air theatre.

    Dates

    From:
    26 June 2026Open 19:00 - 21:00
    More info for Open Air Theatre – The Three Inch Fools – King Arthur and the Holy Fail
  18. Colourful houses lining a canal with small boats and reflections in the water in Burano, Venice, Italy

    Add Evening Language Courses - The Centre for Foreign Language Study to your Itinerary

    Evening Language Courses - The Centre for Foreign Language Study

    Type

    Type:

    Lecture

    Elvet Riverside, New Elvet

    Yearly, October – April: The Centre for Foreign Language Study at Durham University offers evening language courses which are open to all. Languages available include Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian,…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Apr 2026to26 June 2026
    From:
    12 Oct 2026to11 Dec 2026
    From:
    18 Jan 2027to19 Mar 2027
    More info for Evening Language Courses - The Centre for Foreign Language Study
  19. Five people enjoying a coastal walk along the grassy cliffs.

    Add Seaham Stories: A Coastal Walking Tour - Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa to your Itinerary

    Seaham Stories: A Coastal Walking Tour - Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Seaham

    Step beyond the gates of Seaham Hall and discover the stories, heritage, and coastal beauty that have shaped Seaham through the years, guided by those who know it best.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026Open 13:15 -
    More info for Seaham Stories: A Coastal Walking Tour - Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa
  20. View of the sea and beach from the clifftops

    Add Heritage Coastal Path parkrun, Easington to your Itinerary

    Heritage Coastal Path parkrun, Easington

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Easington Colliery, Peterlee

    A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Nearby Sunday 2k junior parkrun events for 4 to 14 year olds and their families can be found here.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Heritage Coastal Path parkrun, Easington
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