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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. Text reads, 'A Night Under The Big Top, The Grand Finale of Durham Cricket's Christmas Circus'. Graphic image of circus tent.

    Add A Night Under The Big Top - Durham Cricket to your Itinerary

    A Night Under The Big Top - Durham Cricket

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Riverside, Chester-le-Street

    Celebrate the grand finale of Durham Cricket's Christmas Circus with a festive arrival drink, three-course meal, classic funfair games, DJ and dancing. A magical Christmas party where festive traditions meet the nostalgic charm of the fairground.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for A Night Under The Big Top - Durham Cricket
  2. Johns' Boys Welsh Male Voice Choir 10th Anniversary Tour

    Add Johns' Boys Welsh Male Voice Choir - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Johns' Boys Welsh Male Voice Choir - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate a decade of musical excellence. Johns’ Boys Welsh Male Voice Choir has redefined the male voice tradition with breathtaking interpretations of chart hits, opera classics, musical theatre…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Johns' Boys Welsh Male Voice Choir - Durham Cathedral
  3. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Tamsin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary Sextet; Faris Ishaq - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Tamsin Elliott and Tarek Elazhary are an acclaimed musical duo known for fusing English folk traditions with Egyptian Maqam music. Tamsin Elliott is a Bristol-based multi-instrumentalist who plays the fiddle, lever harp, and a specially adapted…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 19:00 - 21:30
    More info for Tamsin Elliott & Tarek Elazhary Sextet; Faris Ishaq - Durham Folk Festival
  4. A group of people running across the field at Raby Castle

    Add Wild Deer Trail Run – 5k, 10k, Half Marathon - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Wild Deer Trail Run – 5k, 10k, Half Marathon - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Darlington

    Wild Deer Events are returning to our beautiful Deer Park for their annual trail run on 20th September 2026. Participants can sign up for a 5k, 10k or Half Marathon around the stunning grounds of Raby Castle and the wider estate, through the 200…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 10:00 -
    More info for Wild Deer Trail Run – 5k, 10k, Half Marathon - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  5. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Music Session - Sunday - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Music Session - Sunday - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    All instruments welcome. Free entry - no ticket needed

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Music Session - Sunday - Durham Folk Festival
  6. Musician Katie Howson, holding an accordion with her name at the bottom.

    Add Katie Howson: Carry on Squeezing - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Katie Howson: Carry on Squeezing - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Flass Street, Durham

    Musician, researcher and historian Katie co-founded the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust with her late husband John. 50 years of melodeon-playing are explored here with light-hearted (non-scary) audience participation: choose one of Katie's…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026Open 15:30 - 17:00
    More info for Katie Howson: Carry on Squeezing - Durham Folk Festival
  7. 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
  8. Bee Responsible. Collage of a swarm of bees and close up of a bee on a flower.

    Add Half Day Bee and Beekeeping Related Courses - Unit A The Old School to your Itinerary

    Half Day Bee and Beekeeping Related Courses - Unit A The Old School

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    A selection of bee related short courses, hosted at our workshops beside the River Tees in Middleton-In-Teesdale. Join our expert Beekeeper to learn something new about bees!

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2026to14 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for Half Day Bee and Beekeeping Related Courses - Unit A The Old School
  9. Four folk musicians on the 'Magic Lantern' stage.

    Add Family Festival Performances - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Family Festival Performances - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Our free family festival became a highlight during our time in Hartlepool.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 10:30 - 11:00
    More info for Family Festival Performances - Durham Folk Festival
  10. A telescope silhouetted against a star-filled night sky, with the Milky Way visible in the background.

    Add Experience Our Milky Way - North Pennines Star Gazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Experience Our Milky Way - North Pennines Star Gazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Join the Grassholme Observatory team beneath the dark skies of Grassholme Observatory on Friday 16 October 2026, 8pm to 11pm, for an unforgettable evening exploring one of nature's greatest spectacles – the Milky Way.

    Venue

    Grassholme Observatory, Teesdale

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Experience Our Milky Way - North Pennines Star Gazing Festival
  11. Photograph of a grand interior space with festive decoration, featuring a large Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, a chandelier, and garlands.

    Add The Winter Market - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    The Winter Market - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Barnard Castle

    Discover a festive seasonal wonderland at The Bowes Museum, with over 100 stalls market, food and drink, museum entry and activities for all ages.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    11 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Winter Market - The Bowes Museum
  12. Exterior view of Crook Hall Gardens during summertime.

    Add History of Durham City Walk - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    History of Durham City Walk - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Durham

    A guided walk from Crook Hall Gardens delving into the history of Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    9 June 2026to27 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for History of Durham City Walk - Crook Hall Gardens
  13. People observing framed sketches and drawings displayed on a gallery wall, highlighting an art exhibition setting.

    Add Heritage Open Days - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Barnard Castle

    Celebrate Heritage Open Days with free admission to The Bowes Museum and a packed programme of activities inspired by this year's theme, Everyday Histories. Enjoy guided tours, including rare behind-the-scenes access to the museum's vaults, hands-on…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2026to13 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - The Bowes Museum
  14. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add The Demon Barber Roadshow; Spafford Campbell - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    The Demon Barber Roadshow; Spafford Campbell - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    For over two decades, The Demon Barbers have redefined live folk performance with their explosive fusion of traditional music, English folk dance and Hip-Hop choreography.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for The Demon Barber Roadshow; Spafford Campbell - Durham Folk Festival
  15. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Monkey's Revenge - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Monkey's Revenge - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    The first & the original Hartlepool Shanty choir, singing songs of the sea, the north and, of course monkeys!

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 14:30 - 15:00
    More info for Monkey's Revenge - Durham Folk Festival
  16. Three people in Georgian costume stand in front of Pockerley Old Hall at Beamish Museum.

    Add Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Step back to the hustle and bustle of the early 1800s.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Georgian Gathering at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  17. Two authors with their books on a yellow background

    Add North East Fantasy - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    North East Fantasy - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    North East authors H.F. Askwith and Hannah Kaner talk about their latest novels, Half a Dark Heart and A Snake Among Swans. They will discuss what makes a great fantasy novel, from seriously bold heroines and magical settings to reimagined myths and…

    Dates

    From:
    11 Oct 2026Open 17:30 - 18:30
    More info for North East Fantasy - Durham Book Festival
  18. Ariel view of Wolsingham Show

    Add Wolsingham Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    Wolsingham Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Wolsingham

    Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Wolsingham Show 2026
  19. Lemn Sissay sits on a wooden chair, smiling, cut out in front of a painted yellow sun.

    Add Lemn Sissay - Let The Light Pour In Live - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Lemn Sissay - Let The Light Pour In Live - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham

    Spend an evening with a master of the spoken word, BAFTA award-winning author, activist, performer and Sunday Times number one bestseller, Lemn Sissay OBE as he returns to the stage with this acclaimed show.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Sept 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Lemn Sissay - Let The Light Pour In Live - Gala Durham
  20. Small child in a hat, working on a worksheet on a table in Beamish

    Add Home Educators’ Day September 2026 - Beamish Museum to your Itinerary

    Home Educators’ Day September 2026 - Beamish Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Stanley

    Take part in our free activities or book a learning workshop for the full, immersive learning experience.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Sept 2026
    More info for Home Educators’ Day September 2026 - Beamish Museum
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