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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. Crook Hall

    Add World Book Day trail: February half term at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    World Book Day trail: February half term at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Step into a world of stories this February half term at Crook Hall Gardens. Unlock secrets hidden among the pages of your favourite books and become the hero of your own adventure. Every twist in the path brings a new challenge along this self-led…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to8 Mar 2026
    More info for World Book Day trail: February half term at Crook Hall Gardens
  2. Cliffecon 2026 advertising poster with event date and location

    Add Cliffecon 2026 to your Itinerary

    Cliffecon 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newton Aycliffe

    Cliffecon 2026 is a comic con and pop culture event in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    9 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Cliffecon 2026
  3. Declan Poole at the Wurlitzer organ (Milwaukee USA)

    Add Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with award winning young organist Declan Poole to your Itinerary

    Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with award winning young organist Declan Poole

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    Winner of the U.S. and U.K. Young Theatre Organist of the Year Award DECLAN POOLE plays a concert of favourite music at the mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the New Victoria Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with award winning young organist Declan Poole
  4. Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Add Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Chester-Le-Street

    Lumley Castle Hotel at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will be the backdrop for Opulence, running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September.

    While the big-name performers are not being unveiled until later this month, organisers have promised it will…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026
    More info for Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel
  5. Two children dressed as servants in the kitchen at Raby Castle. The little girl stands next to a mixing bowl, and the boy has a bow and arrow.

    Add The Servant School at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    The Servant School at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Staindrop

    Wanted: Half Term Helpers. This February Half Term we are looking for little ones to join us here at Raby Castle, Park & Gardens for Servant School as you discover what life was really like behind the scenes as a castle servant.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to1 Mar 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Servant School at Raby Castle
  6. May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North'

    Add May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North' to your Itinerary

    May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North'

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    Did you know that, historically, May Day was one of the biggest celebrations of the year? Come along and find out why as we celebrate a traditional May Day in The Pit Village and at Pockerley Old Hall.

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026to4 May 2026
    More info for May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North'
  7. Various colourful items made from fused glass: hearts, butterflies, hedgehogs, owls and flower designs.

    Add Fused Glass Spring Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Fused Glass Spring Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Lanchester

    Have you ever fancied trying a fused glass workshop?

    Dates

    From:
    14 Mar 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Fused Glass Spring Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  8. A fairground on the street.

    Add Sacriston Party in the Park to your Itinerary

    Sacriston Party in the Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sacriston

    Free community fun day including fairground rides, inflatables, climbing wall, face-painting & much more!

    Dates

    From:
    6 June 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Sacriston Party in the Park
  9. Glenda Young in front of a screen showing her novels, preparing for a talk on, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' at Murton Library.

    Add Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Murton Library to your Itinerary

    Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Murton Library

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Murton, Seaham

    Join Glenda Young for a morning of discussion about her historical sagas and cosy crimes.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Feb 2026Open 10:30 -
    More info for Glenda Young, 'Historical Sagas and Cosy Crimes' - Murton Library
  10. Spindizzy attraction at Diggerland Durham

    Add Special Half Term Offer at Diggerland to your Itinerary

    Special Half Term Offer at Diggerland

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Langley Park

    A special half term offer at Diggerland Durham, Buy 2, get 2 free!

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Special Half Term Offer at Diggerland
  11. 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
  12. Poster advertising the event with an image of the book Sybil the Squirrel.

    Add Michael Quinlyn-Nixon The Tale of Sybil  the Squirrel Story and Drawing Class to your Itinerary

    Michael Quinlyn-Nixon The Tale of Sybil the Squirrel Story and Drawing Class

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Pelton

    Join local author Michael Quinlyn -Nixon at Pelton Library for a story and drawing class of The Tale of Sybil the Squirrel , Wednesday 25th February 2.30-3.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Feb 2026Open 14:30 - 15:30
    More info for Michael Quinlyn-Nixon The Tale of Sybil the Squirrel Story and Drawing Class
  13. 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!
  14. Gordon Buchanan standing in front of a lake.

    Add Lions and Tigers and Bears with Gordon Buchanan - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Lions and Tigers and Bears with Gordon Buchanan - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    Due to phenomenal demand, award winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan will hit the road again in 2026, continuing the success of his biggest ever live tour - Lions and Tigers and Bears.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Feb 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Lions and Tigers and Bears with Gordon Buchanan - Gala Durham
  15. The game Cluedo. Board showing a wrench in the Library.

    Add Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Guests arrive at the opulent Black Mansion for an elegant 1950s cocktail party, only to discover their host has vanished, presumed dead. But who is behind the crime? 

    Dates

    From:
    7 Mar 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel
  16. Image of a Dragon soft toy on a poster advertising the event

    Add Madam Dragon, Dragon Training to your Itinerary

    Madam Dragon, Dragon Training

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    West Cornforth

    Join Madam Dragon from Big Foot Arts at West Cornforth library for a interactive dragon training workshop on Tuesday 24th February 10.45-11.30 am, suitable for primary school age 5-11, a free event, just book a place at Cornforth library , booking…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Feb 2026Open 10:45 - 11:30
    More info for Madam Dragon, Dragon Training
  17. Impressionist seascape painting depicting a rocky shoreline with waves crashing against the coast.

    Add Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum is a major partnership between The Bowes Museum and the Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa), Le Havre.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to14 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum
  18. View of the Palace Museum in the 1920s and 2025; Photos: © The Palace Museum; Image designed by Ziyu Zhou

    Add Journey of a Century: From the Forbidden City to the Palace Museum - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Journey of a Century: From the Forbidden City to the Palace Museum - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham City

    Jointly organised by the Palace Museum and the Oriental Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2025to31 May 2026
    More info for Journey of a Century: From the Forbidden City to the Palace Museum - Durham University Oriental Museum
  19. 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
  20. A flower arrangement made up of white flowers.

    Add Cestrian Flower Club to your Itinerary

    Cestrian Flower Club

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Chester-Le-Street

    Flower arranging demonstration by Marion Hinchley titled "Summer Time".

    Dates

    From:
    7 May 2026Open 18:45 - 21:00
    More info for Cestrian Flower Club
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