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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. 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
  2. outer space galaxy

    North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is returning for 2026 – running between Friday 16 October and Sunday 1 November.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Joanna Bailey - Disreputable: How a Victorian lass from County Durham broke the rules — and got away with it! Thornley Library.

    Add Joanna Bailey - Disreputable: How a Victorian lass from County Durham broke the rules — and got away with it! Thornley Library to your Itinerary

    Joanna Bailey - Disreputable: How a Victorian lass from County Durham broke the rules — and got away with it! Thornley Library

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Thornley, Durham

    May is Local & Community History Month. Joanna Bailey - Disreputable: How a Victorian lass from County Durham broke the rules — and got away with it! Thornley Library.

    Dates

    From:
    14 May 2026Open 10:30 -
    More info for Joanna Bailey - Disreputable: How a Victorian lass from County Durham broke the rules — and got away with it! Thornley Library
  6. Colourful houses lining a canal with small boats and reflections in the water in Burano, Venice, Italy

    Add Evening Language Courses - The Centre for Foreign Language Study to your Itinerary

    Evening Language Courses - The Centre for Foreign Language Study

    Type

    Type:

    Lecture

    Elvet Riverside, New Elvet

    Yearly, October – April: The Centre for Foreign Language Study at Durham University offers evening language courses which are open to all. Languages available include Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian,…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Apr 2026to26 June 2026
    From:
    12 Oct 2026to11 Dec 2026
    From:
    18 Jan 2027to19 Mar 2027
    More info for Evening Language Courses - The Centre for Foreign Language Study
  7. Text reads, 'Quiz Night, Team Solan Quiz, Hosted at Curlew Cafe'.

    Add Charity Quiz Night - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Charity Quiz Night - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Charity event/Fundraiser

    Bishop Auckland

    Quiz Night Hosted by Curlew Café. Come along and join Team Solan for a evening to Quizzing, Great Food, Raffle & Fun.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026Open 18:30 - 22:30
    More info for Charity Quiz Night - High Farm Holiday Park
  8. 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!
  9. A small group of adults and children walking away along a leafy forest path in dappled sunlight

    Add Family Friendly Bird Trail at Bowlees - Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Family Friendly Bird Trail at Bowlees - Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature

    Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Self-guided, family-friendly, bird-themed treasure trail, during North Pennines NatureFest.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to7 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Family Friendly Bird Trail at Bowlees - Bowlees Visitor Centre
  10. 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:
    14 June 2026
    More info for Sound Bath & Meditation Session - Raby Castle
  11. Someone taking control of a historic Steam locomotive.

    Add Steam Driver Experiences - Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Steam Driver Experiences - Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Marley Hill, Tanfield

    Enjoy the Thrill of Driving a Historic Steam Locomotive at Tanfield Railway!

    Dates

    From:
    25 May 2026
    From:
    5 July 2026
    From:
    1 Aug 2026
    From:
    31 Aug 2026
    More info for Steam Driver Experiences - Tanfield Railway
  12. Exterior view of St. Brandon's Church.

    Add Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico to your Itinerary

    Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    For their traditional summer concert, the Durham Singers are taking their audiences on a sunny trip to South America. The festive theme for the concert comes from Mexican rhythms and colours of traditional and contemporary choral music.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico
  13. 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
  14. Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show

    Add Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show to your Itinerary

    Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Durham

    The Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show returns on Saturday 23 May 2026, bringing a stunning display of vintage, classic, and modern classics to the historic grounds of Ushaw.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026
    More info for Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show
  15. 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
  16. Kevin Morgan FRCO at the Wurlitzer theatre organ

    Add Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with Phil Kelsall MBE from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool to your Itinerary

    Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with Phil Kelsall MBE from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    Resident organist of the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool, PHIL KELSALL MBE, plays a concert of favourite music at the mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the New Victoria Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with Phil Kelsall MBE from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool
  17. 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
  18. Open Air Theatre – The Three Inch Fools – King Arthur and the Holy Fail

    Open Air Theatre – The Three Inch Fools – King Arthur and the Holy Fail

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Staindrop, Darlington

    Join us for a magical evening as we welcome back the brilliant Three Inch Fools to present an epic tale of Arthurian adventure and medieval mayhem, in the atmospheric setting of Raby Castle’s open-air theatre.

    Set within our breathtaking grass…

    Dates

    From:
    26 June 2026
    More info for Open Air Theatre – The Three Inch Fools – King Arthur and the Holy Fail
  19. customers next to nick-nacks and jewellery market stall

    Add Stanley Market to your Itinerary

    Stanley Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Stanley

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday and Saturday 8.00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Stanley Market
  20. Durham Choral Society and Orchestra - Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, Dvořák's Mass in D major. Background of a sunrise on the poster.

    Add Durham Choral Society presents Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Dvořák's Mass in D major to your Itinerary

    Durham Choral Society presents Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Dvořák's Mass in D major

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    The Durham Choral Society returns to the magnificent setting of Durham Cathedral for an evening of luminous choral music, presenting Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Antonín Dvořák's Mass in D major.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026Open 19:00 - 22:00
    More info for Durham Choral Society presents Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Dvořák's Mass in D major
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