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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. stars in sky by High Force Hotel

    Add Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Dark Skies

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    Discover the magnificence of the night sky with an exciting stargazing experience at the breath-taking High Force Waterfall in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2026to15 Feb 2026
    From:
    20 Feb 2026to21 Feb 2026
    From:
    27 Feb 2026to28 Feb 2026
    From:
    13 Mar 2026to14 Mar 2026
    From:
    19 Mar 2026to21 Mar 2026
    From:
    27 Mar 2026to28 Mar 2026
    More info for Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall
  2. Saturday Outdoor Market Vintage Stall

    Add Saturday Outdoor Market to your Itinerary

    Saturday Outdoor Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Durham

    Every Saturday, the Market Place is transformed by up to 30 small independent traders…it becomes a traditional, bustling, fresh air market and a great shopping experience.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Saturday Outdoor Market
  3. Simon Brodkin

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Simon Brodkin - Work In Progress to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Simon Brodkin - Work In Progress

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Hot off the back of his smash hit UK tour, and three incredible, sold-out nights at London's Hammersmith Apollo, Simon Brodkin is back and better than ever!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Simon Brodkin - Work In Progress
  4. A fairground on the street.

    Add Sacriston Party in the Park to your Itinerary

    Sacriston Party in the Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sacriston

    Free community fun day including fairground rides, inflatables, climbing wall, face-painting & much more!

    Dates

    From:
    6 June 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Sacriston Party in the Park
  5. The game Cluedo. Board showing a wrench in the Library.

    Add Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Guests arrive at the opulent Black Mansion for an elegant 1950s cocktail party, only to discover their host has vanished, presumed dead. But who is behind the crime? 

    Dates

    From:
    7 Mar 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel
  6. 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
  7. Event information with an image of Frankie Mack.

    Add Frankie Mack - Singer & Showman to your Itinerary

    Frankie Mack - Singer & Showman

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Peterlee

    If you've holidayed in Tenerife, you've probably seen Frankie Mack live… now catch him one night only at The Peterlee Pavilion!

    Dates

    From:
    25 Apr 2026Open 14:00 - 19:00
    More info for Frankie Mack - Singer & Showman
  8. Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre

    Add Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    A man and a woman alone in a room. Four times over. What will we get?

    Dates

    From:
    19 Apr 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    20 Apr 2026to24 Apr 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    25 Apr 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre
  9. Man with flowers at Durham City Farmers' Market

    Add Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market to your Itinerary

    Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Durham city

    Durham’s Food Producers’ and Crafters’ Market is now on the first Thursday of each month – open from 9am until 4.30pm, or until stock has sold out.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market
  10. 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
  11. Poster showing details of the event

    Add Folly and Bird Book Craft Workshop to your Itinerary

    Folly and Bird Book Craft Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Alnwick Road, Newton Hall

    Folly and Bird book craft workshop with Fiona McKeown, Monday 23rd February 10am-12pm.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Folly and Bird Book Craft Workshop
  12. Actor in a cap in front of a Union Jack flag. Beamish Museum Pantomime 2026.

    Add Beamish Pantomime 2026: Dick Whittington and his Cat to your Itinerary

    Beamish Pantomime 2026: Dick Whittington and his Cat

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Beamish

    Our Beamish Pantomime is back… oh yes it is! Join us in our 1950s welfare hall for a show like no other, full of music, mischief and a little touch of magic!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026to8 Feb 2026
    More info for Beamish Pantomime 2026: Dick Whittington and his Cat
  13. Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher

    Add Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher at Ushaw to your Itinerary

    Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher at Ushaw

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham

    The intuitive musical interplay between Kathryn and Amy is born out of a long-standing creative friendship. Kathryn’s pipes marry beautifully with Amy’s exquisite accordion playing.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Mar 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher at Ushaw
  14. Headshot of Laura Lexx smiling.

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Laura Lexx - YO-YO to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Laura Lexx - YO-YO

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    In a 10 year marriage eventually your partner sees it all. Every bad idea. Every silly decision. The real twist is that somewhere along the way, you have to believe them. And maybe, just maybe.. you learn to love yourself too.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Laura Lexx - YO-YO
  15. Crowds of people enjoying a cricket match at Durham Cricket's Banks Homes Riverside Stadium

    Add Durham Cricket - England Men v India Men T20 International to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket - England Men v India Men T20 International

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    England Men take on India Men in an exciting T20 International on Wednesday 1 July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    1 July 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket - England Men v India Men T20 International
  16. People wearing gloves, and mixing purple bath bombs at Lanchester Garden Centre.

    Add Bath Bombs Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Bath Bombs Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us for another exciting Bath Bomb Workshop – Creative Fun for Kids - where children can mix, mould, and fizz their way through a fun-filled creative session!

    Dates

    From:
    24 Feb 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    More info for Bath Bombs Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  17. 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:
    24 May 2026
    More info for Durham Pride 2026
  18. The Music of The Lord of the Rings at Durham Cathedral advertising poster, with a dragon carrying a ring and mountains in the background.

    Add The Music of The Lord of The Rings. Tribute to Howard Shore to your Itinerary

    The Music of The Lord of The Rings. Tribute to Howard Shore

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Join us at the magnificent Durham Cathedral for Our Precious Concert – one of our most beloved and best-selling programmes, now coming to Durham in its most magical form yet.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 20:30
    More info for The Music of The Lord of The Rings. Tribute to Howard Shore
  19. Black and white photo of Tom Stade looking off to the left.

    Add Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    The legendary Canadian stand-up star is back on the road with a brand-new show.

    Dates

    From:
    22 May 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    More info for Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham
  20. ©TheBowesMuseum
A structure in front of the trees with the words, 'You Create What You Will'.

    Add Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    For the first time together, The Bowes Museum hosts Nathan Coley’s works, You Create What You Will (2014) and Tate Modern on Fire (2017).

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum
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