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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. Mrs Smith advertising poster.

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me! to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me!

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Mrs Smith was an ordinary teacher until she went viral on Facebook and accidentally became a comedian.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me!
  2. 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
  3. Silhouette of a crowd against a bright yellow light.

    Add Into the Light Spotlight: Culture County Conversation to your Itinerary

    Into the Light Spotlight: Culture County Conversation

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham

    Join artists, creatives and partners from across County Durham for an interactive event exploring the future of culture in our county.
    Into the Light invites artists, creative practitioners, cultural organisations and partners from across County…

    Dates

    From:
    30 Apr 2026Open 14:00 - 18:30
    More info for Into the Light Spotlight: Culture County Conversation
  4. A Witch and a cat riding a broom.  Room on the Broom © 2001 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

    Add Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Redford, Hamsterley Forest

    This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun. 

    Dates

    From:
    28 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  5. The exterior of The Bowes Museum and its grounds on a sunny day.

    Add Character Studies – 3 Acts: Meg Fletcher Artwork Installation  at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Character Studies – 3 Acts: Meg Fletcher Artwork Installation at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    The Bowes Museum is proud to unveil a captivating new commission by Northumberland-based fashion and textile artist Meg Fletcher, whose work delves into identity, storytelling, and the theatrical nature of dress. Fletcher has created a series of…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Mar 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Character Studies – 3 Acts: Meg Fletcher Artwork Installation at The Bowes Museum
  6. A child doing a science experiment.

    Add Big Science to your Itinerary

    Big Science

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Meadowfield

    Science experiments for over 5's.

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026Open 11:00 - 11:45
    More info for Big Science
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Apple blossom at Crook Hall Gardens | © National Trust/Alison Elrick

    Add North East Festival of Blossom 2026: History walk - Crook Hall Gardens to Durham Uni Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    North East Festival of Blossom 2026: History walk - Crook Hall Gardens to Durham Uni Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Durham City

    A walk through the city to appreciate its riverside location, history and architectural heritage, enjoying blossom along the way.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 15:30
    From:
    19 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 15:30
    More info for North East Festival of Blossom 2026: History walk - Crook Hall Gardens to Durham Uni Botanic Garden
  10. Ariel view of Wolsingham Show

    Add Wolsingham Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    Wolsingham Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Wolsingham

    Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Wolsingham Show 2026
  11. Murdered to Death by Peter Gordon. 27th September - 3rd October 2026.

    Add Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon - A Comedy - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon - A Comedy - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    A spoof Miss Marple set in a country mansion.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    28 Sept 2026to2 Oct 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    3 Oct 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon - A Comedy - The City Theatre
  12. Mrs Smith 1,2,3 eyes on me with 
illustrations of flowers and leaves

    Add Mrs Smith "123, Eyes on Me!" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Mrs Smith "123, Eyes on Me!" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Mrs Smith was an ordinary teacher until she went viral on Facebook and accidentally became a comedian.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Mrs Smith "123, Eyes on Me!" - The Witham
  13. Darlington and Durham Running Day

    Add Darlington and Durham Running Day to your Itinerary

    Darlington and Durham Running Day

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Newton Aycliffe,

    Darlington & Durham Running Day 2026 — a fantastic celebration of classic and modern buses, transport heritage, and community fun!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Darlington and Durham Running Day
  14. Chutney trader. Woman looking at stall and holding purse.

    Add Barnard Castle Market to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Barnard Castle

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Wednesday 8.00am to 16.30

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Barnard Castle Market
  15. Cartoon image of an Easter Bunny holding a carrot, standing in a field of daffodils.

    Add Easter Egg Hunt & Pet’s Corner Experience at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Easter Egg Hunt & Pet’s Corner Experience at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Stanley

    A perfect Easter holiday activity for families looking to make special memories together in a beautiful countryside setting.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Apr 2026to6 Apr 2026Open 12:30 -
    More info for Easter Egg Hunt & Pet’s Corner Experience at South Causey Inn
  16. Durham City Run Festival

    Add Durham City Run Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham City Run Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Durham City

    Ten years after the first Durham City Run in 2016, the 5K and 10K races return to the historic city centre this July!
    Experience a midsummer evening of running around some of Durham’s most iconic historic landmarks, and collect a medal and goody bag…

    Dates

    From:
    16 July 2026to18 July 2026
    More info for Durham City Run Festival
  17. 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
  18. Durham Miners' Gala. Crowds enjoying the Gala outside of the County Hotel. Colliery Banners can be seen as the Bands march through the streets.

    Durham Miners' Gala 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham City

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns on 11th July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026
    More info for Durham Miners' Gala 2026
  19. Rosettes from the Durham County Show

    Add The Durham County Show to your Itinerary

    The Durham County Show

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    nr Thornley

    The Annual Durham County Show is a vibrant event featuring a variety of activities and attractions for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for The Durham County Show
  20. Mario characters.

    Add Mario's Creative Quest Crafting Workshop to your Itinerary

    Mario's Creative Quest Crafting Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us and Craftily Ever After for our very first Mario's Creative Quest Craft School.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 12:30
    More info for Mario's Creative Quest Crafting Workshop
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