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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. Andy Zaltzman

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Following a sell-out 2024/2025 national run, Andy Zaltzman – host of The Bugle podcast and BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, statistician on Test Match Special, and champion of Taskmaster series 18 – extends his hit tour into 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack
  2. Crookfest 26. List of bands, and background image of a crowd with their hands in the air.

    Add Crookfest'26 to your Itinerary

    Crookfest'26

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Willington , Crook

    Crook Fest 2026. ​​​​​One day. Three stages. 18 bands.

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026Open 11:30 - 22:30
    More info for Crookfest'26
  3. Tom McGuinness, The Hewer, 1980s, oil on board. Gemini Collection, Zurbarán Trust

    Add Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery to your Itinerary

    Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    Our new Tom McGuinness exhibition opens on 18 February 2026. In his centenary year, the Mining Art Gallery celebrates this quiet man who communicated through his art.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to24 Dec 2026
    More info for Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery
  4. Dance Anthems Disco Party poster with discoball background.

    Add Dance Anthems Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa to your Itinerary

    Dance Anthems Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get ready for an unforgettable night of dance anthems and floor-filling beats. Our resident DJ will keep the energy high with non-stop tracks, while you enjoy a delicious two-course dinner. Join us throughout November, December, and even January to…

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for Dance Anthems Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa
  5. Cross in The Nave of Durham Cathedral.

    Add Lent Talks - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Lent Talks - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Religious Event

    Durham City

    You are warmly invited to a series of discussions every Sunday during Lent. Each week will feature leading figures in the world of the creative arts in conversation with Reverend Canon Michael Hampel Vice-Dean and Precentor of Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Feb 2026
    From:
    1 Mar 2026
    From:
    8 Mar 2026
    From:
    15 Mar 2026
    From:
    22 Mar 2026
    From:
    29 Mar 2026
    More info for Lent Talks - Durham Cathedral
  6. Greenhouses at Raby Castle’s beautifully restored 18th-century Walled Gardens.

    Add Gardeners' Walk & Talk - Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Gardeners' Walk & Talk - Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Staindrop

    Gardeners’ Walk & Talk at Raby Castle – Daily at 12pm. Led by a member of our expert gardening team, this complimentary garden tour offers a relaxed and informative experience, perfect for visitors interested in historic English…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Jan 2026to28 Jan 2026
    More info for Gardeners' Walk & Talk - Raby Castle
  7. Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion

    Add Spotlight Tour - Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Spotlight Tour - Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Join Rachel Whitworth, Curator of Fashion & Textiles for an insightful introduction to the new Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion exhibition.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Feb 2026Open 11:00 - 11:30
    More info for Spotlight Tour - Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum
  8. A blank cat and dog bisque figurine on a white shelf with a pink background

    Add Bisque Pottery Workshops to your Itinerary

    Bisque Pottery Workshops

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Barnard Castle

    Join Mud & More Pottery to paint your own bisque cat or dog figurine, cast from 18th and 19th objects in The Bowes Museum's collection.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025to28 Feb 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Bisque Pottery Workshops
  9. Bride descending a staircase

    Add A Wedding Showcase with a Difference - 61 Durham to your Itinerary

    A Wedding Showcase with a Difference - 61 Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Wedding Fairs and Events

    Durham

    Next season, Tees Valley Weddings is hosting a wedding showcase at the beautiful 61 Durham. This isn’t your typical wedding fair – it’s designed to be more hands-on, inspiring, and personal. 

    Dates

    From:
    11 Jan 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
    More info for A Wedding Showcase with a Difference - 61 Durham
  10. 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
  11. S&DR 200 logo

    S&DR200 Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    The 27 September 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), which gave birth to the modern railway. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the nine-month S&DR200 Festival will take place across…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2025to31 May 2026
    More info for S&DR200 Festival
  12. Trader at Barnard Castle Farmer's Market at stall taking money from customer

    Add Barnard Castle Farmers' Market to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Farmers' Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Barnard Castle

    Barnard Castle Farmers’ Market is one of the North East’s most popular markets featuring a wide range of artisan food and crafts from the region. Open 9:00 to 14:00 on the first Saturday of each month.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Barnard Castle Farmers' Market
  13. line drawing of two women knitting

    Add New Skills for the New Year - Knitting and Crochet Classes to your Itinerary

    New Skills for the New Year - Knitting and Crochet Classes

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Bishop Auckland

    For the first several Saturdays of 2026, Petrichor will be devoted to learning new skills and encouraging us all to be a bit more adventurous in our making. Saturdays, booking required.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026to7 Feb 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for New Skills for the New Year - Knitting and Crochet Classes
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. January Available Now - Tom Bolton's Magic Corner

    Add Tom Bolton's The Magic Corner to your Itinerary

    Tom Bolton's The Magic Corner

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Old Elvet, Durham

    Surround yourself in the world of magic in this interactive and immersive show!

    Dates

    From:
    3 Jan 2026to31 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Tom Bolton's The Magic Corner
  17. A woman leans over a table helping two young children with an arts-and-crafts activity. The children sit at a bright yellow table covered with paper,

    Add Family Open Day - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Open Day - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Join us for a free day of family-friendly activities. Inspired by the museum's Pippa Hale: Pet Project exhibition, enjoy a variety of activities as we celebrate all things pets at the museum.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Family Open Day - The Bowes Museum
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. Smiling person with short, curly blonde hair and round brown glasses, resting their chin on one hand. They are wearing a patterned blue-and-white top

    Add Front Row Talks: Gillian Smellie to your Itinerary

    Front Row Talks: Gillian Smellie

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Barnard Castle

    The fashion industry plays a significant role in the climate crisis and is often guilty of greenwashing. Join Gillian Smellie for an enlightening talk on ethical fashion and discover how intentional choices can help you adopt a more sustainable…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Feb 2026Open 14:30 - 15:30
    More info for Front Row Talks: Gillian Smellie
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