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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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash

    Add K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash to your Itinerary

    K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Step into a world of colour, music, and pure idol magic! Our K-POPping Children's Party is packed with upbeat songs, fun dance routines, adorable meet-and-greet moments, and plenty of photo opportunities to capture every superstar smile.

    Dates

    From:
    29 May 2026Open 17:30 - 19:00
    More info for K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash
  5. Crowds enjoy show jumping at Weardale Show.

    Add 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    St. Johns Chapel

    The Weardale Show returns on Saturday 29th August 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026
    More info for 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026
  6. An ornate 19th-century lace parasol with an intricately patterned cream lace canopy. The handle is made of ivory or bone with a decorative metal finia

    Add Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection to your Itinerary

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection marks 20 years since the landmark exhibition Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection and commemorates the gift of the Blackborne lace collection to The Bowes Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to11 Apr 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Close-up of a mannequin wearing a vibrant, multicoloured fuzzy coat in shades of blue, purple, and yellow. Underneath is a white shirt with a bold pin

    Add Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary (28 March 2026 – 6 September 2026) is a multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of fashion's most provocative and imaginative designers.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to6 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum
  10. Five people enjoying a coastal walk along the grassy cliffs.

    Add Seaham Stories: A Coastal Walking Tour - Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa to your Itinerary

    Seaham Stories: A Coastal Walking Tour - Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Seaham

    Step beyond the gates of Seaham Hall and discover the stories, heritage, and coastal beauty that have shaped Seaham through the years, guided by those who know it best.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026Open 13:15 -
    More info for Seaham Stories: A Coastal Walking Tour - Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. Silhouette of three people swimming at dawn - Seaham Slope Beach, near the pier.

    Add Mental Health Swims - Seaham to your Itinerary

    Mental Health Swims - Seaham

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Seaham

    Mental Health Swims is an award-winning, mental health peer support community. The regular dip at Seaham takes place on the last Sunday of every month - booking required.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Mental Health Swims - Seaham
  14. Green truck with the name Swamp Thing painted on the side

    Add Truckfest North East 2026 to your Itinerary

    Truckfest North East 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Wolsingham

    Join us for Truckfest North East and be amazed by monster trucks and arena stunt shows.

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 09:00 - 16:00
    More info for Truckfest North East 2026
  15. Close up of vegetables at market stall. Person standing next to veg.

    Add Consett Market to your Itinerary

    Consett Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Consett

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Consett Market
  16. Guided walk in Wolsingham: a group of walkers and a dog on a scenic woodland trail.

    Add Free Monthly Guided Walks - Wolsingham to your Itinerary

    Free Monthly Guided Walks - Wolsingham

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland

    Our monthly guided walks take place on the 2nd Saturday of every month leaving Wolsingham Town Hall in the Market Place at 10am.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026to12 Dec 2026
    More info for Free Monthly Guided Walks - Wolsingham
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. The Hound of The Baskervilles 22nd - 28th November 2026.

    Add The Hound of the Baskervilles - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    The Hound of the Baskervilles - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    A reduced cast production of this classic tale.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    23 Nov 2026to27 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for The Hound of the Baskervilles - The City Theatre
  20. Summer Craft Fayre. Colourful Illustration of patterned plates, jugs, and vases on a stall.

    Add Summer Craft Fayre - Chester le Street Methodist Church to your Itinerary

    Summer Craft Fayre - Chester le Street Methodist Church

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Chester le Street

    Summer Craft Fayre on Saturday 20th June, 9.30am–1.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026Open 09:30 - 13:30
    More info for Summer Craft Fayre - Chester le Street Methodist Church
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