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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. 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
  2. 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:
    30 May 2026
    More info for Durham Pride 2026
  3. The Flying Scotsman outside of the Locomotion Collections building

    Add Stephen Bainbridge Exhibition at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Stephen Bainbridge Exhibition at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Original railway artwork on display.

    Dates

    From:
    22 June 2026to17 July 2026
    More info for Stephen Bainbridge Exhibition at Locomotion
  4. Impressionist seascape painting depicting a rocky shoreline with waves crashing against the coast.

    Add Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum is a major partnership between The Bowes Museum and the Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa), Le Havre.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to14 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Fools Gold Blaydon Races poster showing a painting of people and their dogs enjoying the Blaydon Races.

    Add Fools Gold Blaydon Races - St Johns Hall Meadowfield to your Itinerary

    Fools Gold Blaydon Races - St Johns Hall Meadowfield

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Meadowfield

    Acoustic Duo. Seats £7. Refreshments on sale or BYOB.

    Dates

    From:
    9 May 2026Open 16:30 - 19:30
    More info for Fools Gold Blaydon Races - St Johns Hall Meadowfield
  8. May is Local & Community History Month. Annfield Plain Local History Club. David Butler, 'Dirt, Death and Disease in Durham City'.

    Add David Butler, 'Dirt, Death and Disease in Durham City' - Annfield Plain Library to your Itinerary

    David Butler, 'Dirt, Death and Disease in Durham City' - Annfield Plain Library

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Stanley

    May is Local & Community History Month. Annfield Plain Local History Club. David Butler, 'Dirt, Death and Disease in Durham City' at Annfield Plain Library on Monday 11th May 10.15am - 11.30am.

    Dates

    From:
    11 May 2026Open 10:15 - 11:30
    More info for David Butler, 'Dirt, Death and Disease in Durham City' - Annfield Plain Library
  9. Roger Wagner The Seeds of Eternity exhibition.

    Add Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    The Bishop Trevor Rooms at Auckland Palace will host an exhibition of the works of artist and poet Roger Wagner. Weaving together Biblical narratives and contemporary landscapes, Wagner's visionary paintings explore the mysteries of human existence.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace
  10. 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
  11. A Witch and a cat riding a broom.  Room on the Broom © 2001 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

    Add Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Redford, Hamsterley Forest

    This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun. 

    Dates

    From:
    28 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  12. Stalls at Sedgefield Farmers Market on the village green

    Add Sedgefield Farmers Market to your Itinerary

    Sedgefield Farmers Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Sedgefield

    The market is run by Sedgefield Development Trust - and is held every first Sunday of the Month, on the village green, from 8.30am to 12.30pm - and includes a free community stall, music tent & health bus.

    The free stall is available to clubs and…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Sedgefield Farmers Market
  13. A community hall set out with tables and chairs

    Add Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Coffee Morning to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Coffee Morning

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Sedgefield

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club welcome members of the public to join us for a coffee morning where we have tea/coffee, a bite to eat and a raffle.

    Dates

    From:
    22 May 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    18 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    20 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Coffee Morning
  14. Crowds of people enjoying a cricket match at Durham Cricket's Banks Homes Riverside Stadium

    Add Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20 to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    Durham Men and Women kick off their home Vitality Blast campaign against Leicestershire Foxes and Hampshire Hawks in the first of five double headers at Banks Homes Riverside in 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026to10 July 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20
  15. 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
  16. Tracks of Change - Perfume by Yann Nguema Exhibition, part of the S&DR200 festival.

    Add S&DR200 - Tracks of Change - Perfume by Yann Nguema to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Tracks of Change - Perfume by Yann Nguema

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

    S&DR200 culminates with Perfume, a free exhibition at Preston Park by world-renowned, visionary projection artist Yann Nguema. 

    Dates

    From:
    17 Jan 2026to10 May 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200 - Tracks of Change - Perfume by Yann Nguema
  17. A child in rubber boots leans over a rock by a clear stream, arranging small stones into a circular pattern

    Add Wild Wednesday - On the rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday - On the rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature

    Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Wild Wednesdays are outdoor activities suitable for children aged five and over to enjoy and be creative.

    Dates

    From:
    27 May 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday - On the rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre
  18. 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
  19. Two staff perched on Victorian steam locomotive ‘Sir Berkeley’.

    Add Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Beamish

    Join us for a Festival of Transport as part of May Half Term!

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to31 May 2026
    More info for Festival of Transport 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  20. 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
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