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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. Pink illustrated logo of a floral foreground and a quirky Kate Bush font at the top of the image.

    Add An Evening of Kate Bush - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    An Evening of Kate Bush - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    Join for an Evening of Kate Bush performed live by a full band, vocalists and string quartet in Durham Cathedral this September. Let Me In are back with a brand new show, exploring the evocative music of Kate Bush, on a UK Cathedral tour in late…

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026Open 19:30 - 22:30
    More info for An Evening of Kate Bush - Durham Cathedral
  2. A group of parkrun volunteers in pink jackets outside Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens.

    Add Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens - parkrun to your Itinerary

    Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens - parkrun

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Durham

    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 2026to26 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens - parkrun
  3. Person smiling whilst tending to colourful flowers in the garden

    Add Autumn Tablescape Workshop with Periwinkle Barn - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Autumn Tablescape Workshop with Periwinkle Barn - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Darlington

    Gather in the Conservatory at Raby Castle for a warm and inspiring autumn tablescape workshop with Deborah from Periwinkle Barn, with beautiful views across the Walled Gardens as your backdrop.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Autumn Tablescape Workshop with Periwinkle Barn - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  4. Photograph of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a black top, looking pensively to her left. Background features a softly blurred body o

    Add St Catherine's Child in Concert at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    St Catherine's Child in Concert at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Barnard Castle

    The Bowes Museum is delighted to welcome back emerging artist Ilana Zsigmond, AKA St Catherine's Child, for her second live performance in the beautiful setting of the Jubilee Room. Don't miss this chance to experience an evocative evening of…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2026Open 18:30 -
    More info for St Catherine's Child in Concert at The Bowes Museum
  5. Birds eye view of an ornate church with an altar and pews.

    Add St Cuthbert's Catholic Church - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    St Cuthbert's Catholic Church - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Visit this simple, peaceful church to rest a while or to see the stunning window by the world-famous Irish stained glass artist Harry Clarke or works by the late renowned local sculptor Fenwick Lawson.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for St Cuthbert's Catholic Church - Heritage Open Days
  6. Couch to 5k participants celebrating completing their course at Durham Parkrun.

    Add Durham City Harriers - Couch to 5K programme to your Itinerary

    Durham City Harriers - Couch to 5K programme

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Durham

    Durham City Harriers & AC, one of the north east's longest-established volunteer-run athletics and running clubs, is inviting beginners and returning runners to join its popular Couch to 5K programme, starting Tuesday 8 September 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    8 Sept 2026Open 18:45 - 20:00
    More info for Durham City Harriers - Couch to 5K programme
  7. Three authors on a blue background surrounded by books.

    Add Sleep Stories: Romalyn Ante, Naomi Booth and Sarah Hall - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    Sleep Stories: Romalyn Ante, Naomi Booth and Sarah Hall - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Writers Romalyn Ante, Naomi Booth and Sarah Hall join us to discuss three specially commissioned short stories, which form part of Sleep Stories, a podcast series blending science and fiction, inspired by the contemporary sleep crisis.  

    Dates

    From:
    11 Oct 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    More info for Sleep Stories: Romalyn Ante, Naomi Booth and Sarah Hall - Durham Book Festival
  8. An ornate marble statue of a hooded figure connected to a church

    Add Heritage Open Days - Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Between the train and the bus stations, a landmark in the Durham City Conservation Area, St. Godric's Grade II listed church was designed by Edward Pugin. Opened in 1864 it has beautiful examples of Victorian stained glass and a fine high altar.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Sept 2026to12 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 17:00
    From:
    18 Sept 2026to19 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 17:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric
  9. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add 'The Homecoming'. The Sharon Shannon Trio; The Alistair Anderson Band; Easington Colliery Band with the Wilsons - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    'The Homecoming'. The Sharon Shannon Trio; The Alistair Anderson Band; Easington Colliery Band with the Wilsons - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Over a career spanning 30 years, Sharon Shannon has redefined Irish traditional music while becoming one of its greatest stars. Her unique accordion style, inspired by traditional fiddle playing, has brought Irish music to a global audience.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 19:30 - 22:30
    More info for 'The Homecoming'. The Sharon Shannon Trio; The Alistair Anderson Band; Easington Colliery Band with the Wilsons - Durham Folk Festival
  10. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Music Session - Sunday - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Music Session - Sunday - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    All instruments welcome. Free entry - no ticket needed

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Music Session - Sunday - Durham Folk Festival
  11. A person in a red jumper sat on a chair, on a light blue background surrounded by books.

    Faber Academy Workshop: Life Writing with Amy Key - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Join Faber Academy and writer Amy Key for a day-long workshop of reading, writing and sharing your work with like-minded people. 

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Faber Academy Workshop: Life Writing with Amy Key - Durham Book Festival
  12. An arrangement of festive afternoon tea with a Christmas tree in the background on the right

    Add Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    Celebrate Christmas with a touch of elegance at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, with a Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery, overlooking the magnificent Raby Castle.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to19 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  13. Text reads, 'The Three Musketeers' against an illustration of a bearded man, with large eyes and 3 swords.

    Add The Three Musketeers performed by Illyria Outdoor Theatre - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Three Musketeers performed by Illyria Outdoor Theatre - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    The Three Musketeers performed by Illyria Outdoor Theatre.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Aug 2026Open 18:30 -
    More info for The Three Musketeers performed by Illyria Outdoor Theatre - Durham Cathedral
  14. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Late Sing With The Wilsons - Saturday - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Late Sing With The Wilsons - Saturday - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    With the Wilsons. Last orders midnight; last buses 1am.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 21:00 - 23:59
    More info for Late Sing With The Wilsons - Saturday - Durham Folk Festival
  15. Chester-le-EATS 26th/27th September. Poster shows hills and palm trees in a hazy purple background.

    Add Chester-le-EATS - Durham Cricket to your Itinerary

    Chester-le-EATS - Durham Cricket

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink Festival

    Riverside, Chester-le-Street

    Chester-le-EATS returns for its milestone fifth anniversary in 2026, bringing its biggest celebration yet to Chester-le-Street.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to27 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Chester-le-EATS - Durham Cricket
  16. Three people in Georgian costume stand in front of Pockerley Old Hall at Beamish Museum.

    Add Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Step back to the hustle and bustle of the early 1800s.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  17. The Snowman playing on a large projector in Durham Cathedral, with a large crowd watching

    Add The Snowman: Film with Live Orchestra - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Snowman: Film with Live Orchestra - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Make it a Christmas to remember with a special screening of the much-loved film. The Snowman, shown on the big screen with its unforgettable soundtrack performed live by a professional orchestra.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Snowman: Film with Live Orchestra - Durham Cathedral
  18. Bee Responsible. Collage of a swarm of bees and close up of a bee on a flower.

    Add Half Day Bee and Beekeeping Related Courses - Unit A The Old School to your Itinerary

    Half Day Bee and Beekeeping Related Courses - Unit A The Old School

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    A selection of bee related short courses, hosted at our workshops beside the River Tees in Middleton-In-Teesdale. Join our expert Beekeeper to learn something new about bees!

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2026to14 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for Half Day Bee and Beekeeping Related Courses - Unit A The Old School
  19. Four men singing on stage, with text underneath The Wilson Family.

    Add Welcome to Durham: an hour with The Wilsons - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Welcome to Durham: an hour with The Wilsons - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Flass Street, Durham

    Our Patrons set the tone for a fantastic weekend with an a capella hour of song at the Pitmen's Parliament.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026Open 13:00 - 14:00
    More info for Welcome to Durham: an hour with The Wilsons - Durham Folk Festival
  20. A museum exhibit with lots of old artefacts with a person tending to them in the right hand corner.

    Add From Dig to Display: Get Behind the Scenes at the Museum of Archaeology - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    From Dig to Display: Get Behind the Scenes at the Museum of Archaeology - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Explore the newly reopened upstairs gallery and discover the work that goes on behind the scenes of an archaeology museum. Meet project partners, join a curator tour, and get hands-on to find out how collections are studied, cared for and displayed.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for From Dig to Display: Get Behind the Scenes at the Museum of Archaeology - Heritage Open Days
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