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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. A casino table surrounded by purple glitter.

    Add Disco, Dice & Drive ~ Immersive Christmas Party Night to your Itinerary

    Disco, Dice & Drive ~ Immersive Christmas Party Night

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Carville, Durham

    Where Christmas parties get a serious upgrade. Think disco vibes, casino thrills, competitive racing action and Insta-worthy 360° moments – all wrapped into one electric night. Win festive prizes, challenge your friends and dance into the early…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:30
    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:30
    More info for Disco, Dice & Drive ~ Immersive Christmas Party Night
  2. Shoppers on Church Street, Seaham at Seaham Seaside Market

    Add Seaham Seaside Market to your Itinerary

    Seaham Seaside Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Seaham

    Seaham Seaside Market is a weekly market held every Friday.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Seaham Seaside Market
  3. A sinister painting of a ghostly figure in front of a dark castle.

    Add Night with The Spirits to your Itinerary

    Night with The Spirits

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Chester le Street

    Join our resident Paranormal team, GhostWatchers UK, this September and October, and take part in paranormal experiments in and around a Castle! Challenge your fears, open your mind, and dare to be different as we take you into areas of the Castle…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Nov 2026to14 Nov 2026Open 20:30 - 02:00
    More info for Night with The Spirits
  4. A white wooden door surrounded by festive pine decorations and wreaths.

    Add Festive Garland Workshop with Periwinkle Barn to your Itinerary

    Festive Garland Workshop with Periwinkle Barn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop, Darlington

    Weave festive magic in the Conservatory with Periwinkle Barn and immerse yourself in the scent and spirit of Christmas at our Luxury Garland Workshop. Set within the enchanting surroundings of Raby’s glasshouse Conservatory, this seasonal experience…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Dec 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Festive Garland Workshop with Periwinkle Barn
  5. Bold gold text which reads 'A night to remember, Motown Show,' with a variety of singers in the centre on a navy blue background surrounded by gold st

    Add A Night To Remember Motown Show to your Itinerary

    A Night To Remember Motown Show

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Consett

    A Night To Remember: Motown Show takes you back in time to 1960’s Detroit. Be prepared for a high energy show, packed with the greatest Motown hits of all time.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Jan 2027Open 19:30 -
    More info for A Night To Remember Motown Show
  6. An orchestra performing on a dark stage playing jazz instruments and wearing Christmas hats.

    Add Jazzy Christmas with Durham University’s Big Band and Jazz Orchestra to your Itinerary

    Jazzy Christmas with Durham University’s Big Band and Jazz Orchestra

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Flass Street, Durham

    Join Durham University’s Big Band and Jazz Orchestra for an evening of festive jazz! Each band’s set will include well-known Christmas tunes as well as a range of contemporary and classic big band jazz charts, showcasing highlights from their…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026Open 19:30 - 22:00
    More info for Jazzy Christmas with Durham University’s Big Band and Jazz Orchestra
  7. The Flying Scotsman Train pulled in at a station

    Add Legendary Journey with Flying Scotsman - Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Legendary Journey with Flying Scotsman - Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Stanhope, Bishop Auckland

    Travel behind the legendary Flying Scotsman this November from Darlington to Stanhope on the Weardale Railway with Fox & Edwards Events. Step on board at the historic station of Darlington and travel along the branch line to Bishop Auckland, passing…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Nov 2026to15 Nov 2026Open 08:40 - 17:45
    More info for Legendary Journey with Flying Scotsman - Weardale Railway
  8. Two people wearing black formal attire, smiling at each other whilst cheering their glasses of champagne together whilst confetti falls around them.

    Add New Year's Eve Diamond Ball to your Itinerary

    New Year's Eve Diamond Ball

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Wynyard

    Welcome 2027 in true Wynyard Hall style with an unforgettable evening of black-tie glamour, Gatsby-inspired decadence and Bond-worthy sophistication. Enjoy fizz on arrival, elegant canapés, a three-course dinner, live band, DJ, casino entertainment…

    Dates

    From:
    31 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 01:30
    More info for New Year's Eve Diamond Ball
  9. Santa stroking a small brown dog on his lap, a person sit in an arm chair on the right

    Add Paws & Claus 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Paws & Claus 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    A ‘Paw’fect photo opportunity. Join Father Christmas in the Coffee Pot Café at the Entrance Building for a cosy breakfast experience designed especially for visitors and their four‑legged friends.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    18 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    More info for Paws & Claus 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  10. An adult and small child walking hand in hand down an autumnal path.

    Add Traditional Christmas Wreath Workshop with The Northern Flower Garden to your Itinerary

    Traditional Christmas Wreath Workshop with The Northern Flower Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Come and join florist Debbie from The Northern Flower Garden to kick off the holiday season by making your own wreath. During the workshop, you’ll create your own Christmas wreath with fresh seasonal foliage and festive decorations. Learn how to…

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
    More info for Traditional Christmas Wreath Workshop with The Northern Flower Garden
  11. Close-up of Jodie Fitzgibbon performing

    Add Live Music Nights at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Live Music Nights at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Stanley

    Sit with us and enjoy live music every Friday, where we welcome a brilliant mix of local musicians from all across the North East to our cosy indoor bar - with a roaring log-burning fire.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2025to11 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Live Music Nights at South Causey Inn
  12. A group of choir singers in a festive chapel, smiling.

    Add Forget Me Notes Christmas Concert - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Forget Me Notes Christmas Concert - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    You’re warmly invited to an inclusive, fun and family-friendly afternoon of Christmas music on Saturday 5 December, set in the stunning surroundings of St Cuthbert’s Chapel. This special event will showcase Ushaw’s much-loved dementia-friendly…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026
    More info for Forget Me Notes Christmas Concert - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  13. A festive view of a historical stone house, in the snow with a small festive elf looking up to the house.

    Add Little Elves Christmas Hunt to your Itinerary

    Little Elves Christmas Hunt

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Get ready for a festive adventure on the beautiful Castle grounds! Our Little Elves Hunt invites children to follow a trail of Christmas-themed clues, solving puzzles and discovering hidden surprises along the way. It’s the perfect way for little…

    Dates

    From:
    22 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Elves Christmas Hunt
  14. Photograph showing close-up of an intricate white lace garment or collar displayed against a black background. Dense floral and geometric patterns sur

    Add Lace Showcase to your Itinerary

    Lace Showcase

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Barnard Castle

    Discover the art of lacemaking with skilled makers, live demonstrations and opportunities to get involved. Inspired by Lace & Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection, Lace Showcase invites visitors to explore the intricate art of…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    31 Jan 2027Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    28 Feb 2027Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    21 Mar 2027Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    25 Apr 2027Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Lace Showcase
  15. Consett Salvation Army Band, an orchestra of brass instruments.

    Add Friends Christmas Concert to your Itinerary

    Friends Christmas Concert

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Join us for our Annual Christmas Concert. Celebrate the festive season at our Friends' Christmas Concert with Durham Cathedral Young Singers, Rock Choir North East and the Consett Citadel Salvation Army Band.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Dec 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Friends Christmas Concert
  16. Santa giving a present to a small child in front of two ornate Christmas trees

    Add Father Christmas at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Experience the Magic of Christmas with Father Christmas in Raby Castle’s Barons’ Hall. Cherish and create new family traditions with a special visit to see Father Christmas at Raby Castle. Bells will ring and footmen will guide you up to the…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Father Christmas at Raby Castle
  17. An arrangement of festive afternoon tea with a Christmas tree in the background on the right

    Add Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery to your Itinerary

    Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    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
  18. A festive wreath and red baubles hanging down, decorate a poster which readss 'Christmas Big Sing with Forget Me Not Singers.'

    Add Christmas Big Sing to your Itinerary

    Christmas Big Sing

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    All are welcome to this year's Christmas Sing-A-Long with Forget Me Nots (Dementia Friendly Singers)

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Big Sing
  19. Poster for 'The Nice List', text which reads 'Tom Rolfe Production Proudly Presents, A Magical Family Santamime.' A large festive book open with red r

    Add The Nice List! Santamime to your Itinerary

    The Nice List! Santamime

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Barnard Castle

    Step into a sparkling festive adventure this Christmas as Tom Rolfe Productions proudly present The Nice List!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Dec 2026Open 18:00 -
    More info for The Nice List! Santamime
  20. A small child smiling at a decorated Christmas tree.

    Add Christmas Family Crafts: Make a Winter Decoration to your Itinerary

    Christmas Family Crafts: Make a Winter Decoration

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get creative as a family and make a winter-inspired craft to take home or gift to a loved-one. Make snowflakes, snowdrop decorations and festive gift tags using recycled materials, taking inspiration from the colours, shapes and patterns of winter.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Family Crafts: Make a Winter Decoration
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