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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. 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
  2. Abstract black and white photo of a crowd.

    Add An Evening of Radiohead at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    An Evening of Radiohead at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    The College, Durham

    An Evening of Radiohead, performed by a full band, vocalists & string quartet in the ethereal surroundings of Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026Open 19:30 - 22:30
    More info for An Evening of Radiohead at Durham Cathedral
  3. The Female of the Species by Joanne Murray-Smith. 12th - 15th August 2026. Illustration of a woman's hands in cuffs.

    Add The Female of the Species - Comedy by Joanna Murray-Smith - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    The Female of the Species - Comedy by Joanna Murray-Smith - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    Margaret Mason is a best selling women's lib author with writer block. Will a visit from a fan help or hinder? And why the handcuffs?

    Dates

    From:
    12 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for The Female of the Species - Comedy by Joanna Murray-Smith - The City Theatre
  4. Black and white photo of Tom Stade looking off to the left.

    Add Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    The legendary Canadian stand-up star is back on the road with a brand-new show.

    Dates

    From:
    22 May 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    More info for Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham
  5. 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
  6. Two men playing cricket

    Add Durham Cricket - England Men v Sri Lanka Men ODI to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket - England Men v Sri Lanka Men ODI

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    England Men take on Sri Lanka Men in a thrilling one day international on Tuesday 22 September 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Sept 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket - England Men v Sri Lanka Men ODI
  7. DreamWorks Shrek The Musical logo

    Add Shrek The Musical to your Itinerary

    Shrek The Musical

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chester-le-Street

    Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is an award-winning fairy tale adventure.

    Dates

    From:
    10 June 2026to13 June 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Shrek The Musical
  8. 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
  9. Colourful surreal illustration of a man's head amongst a blue cloudy sky with animals, hills, a plane and a little girl sliding from a cloud around hi

    Add Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    A unique concert will take place on the 1st of May at the magnificent Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2026Open 19:30 - 20:30
    More info for Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble - Durham Cathedral
  10. Two men playing cricket

    Add Durham Cricket - England Men v India Men T20 International to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket - England Men v India Men T20 International

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    England Men take on India Men in an exciting T20 International on Wednesday 1 July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    1 July 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket - England Men v India Men T20 International
  11. Mark Watson leaning against a wall

    Add Mark Watson "Before It Overtakes Us" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Mark Watson "Before It Overtakes Us" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    20 years in stand-up for the 'Taskmaster' cheeky texts icon, multi-award-winner.

    Dates

    From:
    12 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Mark Watson "Before It Overtakes Us" - The Witham
  12. 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
  13. Russell Lownsbrough sitting at a table covered in wax materials giving a masterclass on wax carving.

    Add PeaceGold x Russell Lownsbrough FIPG: Wax-Carving Masterclass to your Itinerary

    PeaceGold x Russell Lownsbrough FIPG: Wax-Carving Masterclass

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Bishop Auckland

    The best jewellery stories deserve to be told with skill. PeaceGold is opening our doors on 26th–27th April for a two-day deep dive into wax carving, led by master of the craft, Russell Lownsbrough FIPG.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Apr 2026to27 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for PeaceGold x Russell Lownsbrough FIPG: Wax-Carving Masterclass
  14. 'Allo, 'Allo' Weekend' tribute show poster with seven members of the cast.

    Add Allo Allo Weekend 16/05/2026 - Radisson Blu Durham to your Itinerary

    Allo Allo Weekend 16/05/2026 - Radisson Blu Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    You will arrive Saturday lunch time where you will be greeted by Rene and Edith, who will check you into your rooms. An option of Afternoon Tea or Cream Tea will be offered at 4pm, served with the help of the Allo Allo team.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026to17 May 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Allo Allo Weekend 16/05/2026 - Radisson Blu Durham
  15. Illustration of three of the Tyrones gathering in the family home on the coast of New England.

    Add Long Day’s Journey into Night (10+) - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Long Day’s Journey into Night (10+) - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Barnard Castle

    Elysium Theatre Company presents LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT by Eugene O’Neill.

    Dates

    From:
    26 May 2026Open 19:00 -
    More info for Long Day’s Journey into Night (10+) - The Witham
  16. G4 members wearing santa hats and suits.

    Add G4 Christmas 2026 - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    G4 Christmas 2026 - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year as G4 bring glad tidings of great joy this festive season, with the return of their 'G4 Christmas' tour in the most awe-inspiring cathedrals, priories, minsters, halls and abbeys across the UK.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Nov 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for G4 Christmas 2026 - Durham Cathedral
  17. 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
  18. Poster advertising the event with an image, dates and times and contact details

    Add The Prince of Egypt to your Itinerary

    The Prince of Egypt

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham City

    Following on from their multi-award productions of "The Producers", "Half a Sixpence", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Evita" and "Chess", Durham Musical Theatre Company will be one of the first amateur groups in the UK to stage "The Prince of…

    Dates

    From:
    12 May 2026to16 May 2026Open 19:00 - 22:00
    More info for The Prince of Egypt
  19. View of players on Barnard Castle Golf Course on a sunny day.

    Add Stay and Play at High Force Hotel and Barnard Castle Golf Club to your Itinerary

    Stay and Play at High Force Hotel and Barnard Castle Golf Club

    Type

    Type:

    Golf Events

    Forest-in-Teesdale,

    Nestled in the stunning countryside of Teesdale, Barnard Castle Golf Club offers an unforgettable golfing experience in the heart of the North East.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Stay and Play at High Force Hotel and Barnard Castle Golf Club
  20. 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
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