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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. Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa exterior view of entrance. Logo celebrating their 25th Anniversary top right.

    Add 25 Years in the Making - A Celebration, Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa to your Itinerary

    25 Years in the Making - A Celebration, Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Seaham

    This year, Seaham Hall celebrates 25 years as one of the UK’s most iconic five-star hotel and spa destinations. Our 25 Years in the Making celebrations will honour the people, moments, and memories that shaped Seaham Hall—and we invite you to be…

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026
    More info for 25 Years in the Making - A Celebration, Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa
  2. 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
  3. Lumley Castle, the author Glenda Young and the front cover of a book

    Add Glenda Young Author Talk with Cream Tea at Lumley Castle to your Itinerary

    Glenda Young Author Talk with Cream Tea at Lumley Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Chester-le-Street

    Enjoy a special afternoon with cream tea at Lumley Castle with a book talk by bestselling author Glenda Young.

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Glenda Young Author Talk with Cream Tea at Lumley Castle
  4. Families and children relax on hay bales under a green canopy tent, holding cups of hot drinks and gathered around a small fire pit, with open country

    Add Nature Camp - Low Way Farm to your Itinerary

    Nature Camp - Low Way Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Nature

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Enjoy a family-friendly weekend of nature themed activities at Low Way Farm in Holwick, Teesdale. Organised by the North Pennines National Landscape tea

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 12:00 - 14:00
    More info for Nature Camp - Low Way Farm
  5. Grimethorpe Colliery Band

    Add Grimethorpe Colliery Band In Concert to your Itinerary

    Grimethorpe Colliery Band In Concert

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Founded over a century ago in a Yorkshire mining village, Grimethorpe Colliery Band achieved a worldwide reputation from the hit film Brassed Off and are regarded as one of Britain's finest brass bands.

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Grimethorpe Colliery Band In Concert
  6. Tracks of Change - Perfume by Yann Nguema Exhibition, part of the S&DR200 festival.

    Add S&DR200 - Tracks of Change - Perfume by Yann Nguema to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Tracks of Change - Perfume by Yann Nguema

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

    S&DR200 culminates with Perfume, a free exhibition at Preston Park by world-renowned, visionary projection artist Yann Nguema. 

    Dates

    From:
    17 Jan 2026to10 May 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200 - Tracks of Change - Perfume by Yann Nguema
  7. A child holding an example of a craft made in the workshop.

    Add Tiny Wings & Tasty Things to your Itinerary

    Tiny Wings & Tasty Things

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Step into a world of imagination and creativity at our Fairy Garden Workshop, designed especially for children aged 4 and over. This magical, hands-on session invites children to explore nature while creating their very own fairy garden to take home.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Tiny Wings & Tasty Things
  8. Dr John Castling and Professor Christopher Gerrard with archaeology students and volunteers - Credit Stuart Boulton

    Add Archaeology ‘Open Lab’ - an Auckland Project Exhibition to your Itinerary

    Archaeology ‘Open Lab’ - an Auckland Project Exhibition

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    Archaeologists uncovering the hidden history of Auckland Palace are inviting the public behind the scenes as historic finds from eight years of excavations are analysed in a new ‘open laboratory’ in Bishop Auckland town centre. Fridays weekly…

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    16 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Archaeology ‘Open Lab’ - an Auckland Project Exhibition
  9. Tibetan and crystal singing bowls

    Add Sound Bath & Meditation Session - Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Sound Bath & Meditation Session - Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Staindrop

    Experience a profound and restorative Sound Bath & Meditation session under the expert guidance of Stephen, a highly qualified meditation instructor, set within the tranquil and historic surroundings of Raby Castle. This one-hour session offers an…

    Dates

    From:
    10 May 2026
    From:
    14 June 2026
    More info for Sound Bath & Meditation Session - Raby Castle
  10. Durham Brass Festival logo on colourful backdrop of Durham.

    Durham Brass Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    BRASS is back in 2026 with a fantastic programme of brass-inspired events coming to Durham from 12 - 19 July. 

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to19 July 2026
    More info for Durham Brass Festival 2026
  11. 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
  12. Crowds gather in rainbow colours to celebrate Durham Pride.

    Add Durham Pride 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Pride 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Don't miss out on this opportunity to show your support and have a great time with friends and family. See you there!

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026
    More info for Durham Pride 2026
  13. Illustration of a tractor mowing a lawn against a background of blue sky, sunshine and fluffy white clouds.

    Add Little Farmers: Bonny Babies - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Little Farmers: Bonny Babies - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Little Farmers: Baby Sensory Experience at The Paddocks

    Dates

    From:
    4 May 2026to18 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:30
    From:
    1 June 2026to29 June 2026Open 11:30 - 15:30
    More info for Little Farmers: Bonny Babies - High Farm Holiday Park
  14. Jean Martyn at the Theatre Organ

    Add Britain's Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn at the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ to your Itinerary

    Britain's Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn at the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    Britain's Got Talent finalist JEAN MARTYN play a concert of light classical and popular music at the mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for Britain's Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn at the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ
  15. Marian ceramic plaque

    Add Marian Art in Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Marian Art in Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham City

    Join Professor Jane Heath from the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University on this specially curated tour of the Marian Art in Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026Open 11:00 -
    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 11:00 -
    From:
    21 Nov 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Marian Art in Durham Cathedral
  16. Wallace and Gromit with cymbals and a tenor horn - A Grand Day Out.

    Wallace & Gromit A Grand Day Out with Live Brass Band

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    Spend a delightful afternoon at Redhills: Durham Miners Hall as we bring the much‑loved Wallace & Gromit classic A Grand Day Out to the big screen — complete with the joyful sound of the Durham Miners' Association Brass Band

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2026Open 15:00 - 16:00
    More info for Wallace & Gromit A Grand Day Out with Live Brass Band
  17. Club Member with her flower arrangement.

    Add Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Workshop to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Sedgefield

    A flower club workshop where participants make a flower arrangement led by area demonstrator Val Guest, of 40 years experience. Refreshments provided and you can take home your creation.

    Dates

    From:
    21 July 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    From:
    15 Dec 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    More info for Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Workshop
  18. Crowds of people enjoying a cricket match at Durham Cricket's Banks Homes Riverside Stadium

    Add Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20 to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    Durham Men and Women kick off their home Vitality Blast campaign against Leicestershire Foxes and Hampshire Hawks in the first of five double headers at Banks Homes Riverside in 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026to10 July 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20
  19. Ladies Day Sport X Social The Skin Edit. £65. 3rd July 2026, 3pm arrival.

    Add Ladies Day: Sport x Social – The Skin Edit - Durham Cricket to your Itinerary

    Ladies Day: Sport x Social – The Skin Edit - Durham Cricket

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Chester-le-Street

    Durham Cricket is delighted to announce the launch of a brand-new premium event, Ladies Day: Sport x Social – The Skin Edit, taking place on Friday, 3rd July.

    Dates

    From:
    3 July 2026Open 15:00 -
    More info for Ladies Day: Sport x Social – The Skin Edit - Durham Cricket
  20. 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
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