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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. 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
  2. Andy Zaltzman

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Following a sell-out 2024/2025 national run, Andy Zaltzman – host of The Bugle podcast and BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, statistician on Test Match Special, and champion of Taskmaster series 18 – extends his hit tour into 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack
  3. A blank cat and dog bisque figurine on a white shelf with a pink background

    Add Bisque Pottery Workshops to your Itinerary

    Bisque Pottery Workshops

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Barnard Castle

    Join Mud & More Pottery to paint your own bisque cat or dog figurine, cast from 18th and 19th objects in The Bowes Museum's collection.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025to28 Feb 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Bisque Pottery Workshops
  4. Gary Delaney

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gary Delaney - Work In Progress to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gary Delaney - Work In Progress

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Gary tries out material just ahead of his UK tour.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gary Delaney - Work In Progress
  5. Phil Ellis

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Phil Ellis - Bath Mat to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Phil Ellis - Bath Mat

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Following his three big award wins at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, Phil, the very definition of funny bones, presents his brand-new show.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Phil Ellis - Bath Mat
  6. ©TheBowesMuseum
A structure in front of the trees with the words, 'You Create What You Will'.

    Add Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    For the first time together, The Bowes Museum hosts Nathan Coley’s works, You Create What You Will (2014) and Tate Modern on Fire (2017).

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum
  7. Matt Forde

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Matt Forde - Defying Calamity to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Matt Forde - Defying Calamity

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    In his biggest live tour to date leading political comedian Matt Forde (The Royal Variety Performance, Spitting Image, HIGNFY, British Scandal) finds positivity in life despite all the evidence to the contrary in politics and his own health.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Matt Forde - Defying Calamity
  8. Paul Sinah

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Paul Sinha - 2 Sinha Lifetime to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Paul Sinha - 2 Sinha Lifetime

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Paul celebrated his 30th anniversary in stand-up last year and despite his continued quiz successes, his Radio 4 series, and his decision to write a memoir, rather than a hastily patched together murder mystery, Paul is not ready to exit the stage…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Paul Sinha - 2 Sinha Lifetime
  9. Photography by Claire Collinson. Larger-than-life, soft recreations of an animal

    Add Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    See the museum’s renowned ceramic collection re-imagined into a vibrant and interactive experience for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum
  10. 1900s Pit Village band hall

    Add Beamish Folk - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Beamish Folk - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Beamish

    Beamish Folk is a new folk music session taking place on the second Sunday of each month in our 1900s Pit Village band hall, 11.30am-1.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    8 Feb 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    8 Mar 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    12 Apr 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    10 May 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    14 June 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    12 July 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    9 Aug 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    13 Sept 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    11 Oct 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    8 Nov 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    More info for Beamish Folk - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  11. Simon Brodkin

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Simon Brodkin - Work In Progress to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Simon Brodkin - Work In Progress

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Hot off the back of his smash hit UK tour, and three incredible, sold-out nights at London's Hammersmith Apollo, Simon Brodkin is back and better than ever!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Simon Brodkin - Work In Progress
  12. Gavin Webster

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gavin Webster - The Gathering Of The Gav to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gavin Webster - The Gathering Of The Gav

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Gavin Webster is back on tour again, this time with his acclaimed Edinburgh show 'The Gathering Of The Gav' with brand new routines added to it to make it an unforgettable theatre experience.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gavin Webster - The Gathering Of The Gav
  13. 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
  14. Big Science - illustration of an explosion and test tubes.

    Add Big "Chocolate" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Big "Chocolate" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Lanchester

    Join us for our Big "Chocolate" Science Easter Workshop where each child gets to make their own Easter Chocolate as we explore States of Matter.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Big "Chocolate" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  15. Woman and man smiling next to vegetable stall of market. Woman holding vegetables.

    Add Bishop Auckland Market to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Bishop Auckland

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday and Saturday 8:00-17:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bishop Auckland Market
  16. People wearing gloves, and mixing purple bath bombs at Lanchester Garden Centre.

    Add Children's Easter Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Children's Easter Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Lanchester

    Easter Bath Bomb Workshop – Creative Fun for Kids!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    More info for Children's Easter Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  17. Teams of eight racing at Durham Regatta on a beautiful sunny day against the backdrop of Durham Cathedral and Castle.

    Add The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026 to your Itinerary

    The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Old Elvet, Durham City

    Join us for a spectacular weekend of racing and bank-side entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026to14 June 2026
    More info for The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026
  18. Fools Gold Blaydon Races poster showing a painting of people and their dogs enjoying the Blaydon Races.

    Add Fools Gold Blaydon Races - St Johns Hall Meadowfield to your Itinerary

    Fools Gold Blaydon Races - St Johns Hall Meadowfield

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Meadowfield

    Acoustic Duo. Seats £7. Refreshments on sale or BYOB.

    Dates

    From:
    9 May 2026Open 16:30 - 19:30
    More info for Fools Gold Blaydon Races - St Johns Hall Meadowfield
  19. Mark Simmons dressed in a dinner jacket with Jester's trousers and shoes

    Add Mark Simmons "Jest to Impress" to your Itinerary

    Mark Simmons "Jest to Impress"

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    More expertly crafted one-liners, alongside his trademark off-the-cuff jokes based on random audience suggestions.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Mark Simmons "Jest to Impress"
  20. A colourful floral wreath on a door.

    Add Mother's Day Living Spring Wreath Workshop & Cream Tea - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Mother's Day Living Spring Wreath Workshop & Cream Tea - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Mother's Day

    Lanchester

    Join us for a Spring Living Wreath Workshop, where you'll spend a relaxed and inspiring couple of hours designing a living wreath which you'll watch grow and bloom!

    Dates

    From:
    15 Mar 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
    More info for Mother's Day Living Spring Wreath Workshop & Cream Tea - Lanchester Garden Centre
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