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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. A starry image of a galaxy in the night sky

    Add Christmas Under the Stars - Grassholme Observertory to your Itinerary

    Christmas Under the Stars - Grassholme Observertory

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Christmas Under the Stars. This Christmas, escape the hustle and bustle and experience the magic of the winter night sky at Grassholme Observatory. Wrapped in the peace and tranquillity of the teesdale countryside, join us for a festive evening of…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Dec 2026to19 Dec 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    27 Dec 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    30 Dec 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Christmas Under the Stars - Grassholme Observertory
  2. People walking around craft market stalls.

    Add Christmas Craft Fair - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Craft Fair - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bearpark, Durham

    Join us for a two-day celebration of festive food, unique gifts and local craftsmanship.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to15 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Craft Fair - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  3. Hands tending to a Christmas wreath on the table.

    Add Christmas Wreath Workshops - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Wreath Workshops - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    We’re delighted to bring our Christmas Wreath Workshops back for another magical season.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Nov 2026to17 Dec 2026Open 17:00 -
    More info for Christmas Wreath Workshops - South Causey Inn
  4. Gala Lunchtime Concert - September - Gala Durham

    Add Gala Lunchtime Concert - September - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Gala Lunchtime Concert - September - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham

    Renowned for their distinctive compositions and innovative use of effects and loops, the Mark Williams Trio crafts a unique modern sound that distinguishes them from traditional guitar-led jazz trios.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Sept 2026Open 13:00 -
    More info for Gala Lunchtime Concert - September - Gala Durham
  5. 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
  6. Sat 5th December 'The Big Top Bonkers Bingo'. Illustration of Bingo Balls.

    Add Bonkers Bingo! Durham Cricket to your Itinerary

    Bonkers Bingo! Durham Cricket

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Riverside, Chester-le-Street

    Bingo, but not as you know it. Expect festive chaos, outrageous prizes, sing-alongs, dance-offs and a night of unforgettable entertainment at Durham Cricket's Christmas Circus.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for Bonkers Bingo! Durham Cricket
  7. St Cuthbert's Church, with stained glass windows, commonwealth war graves and exterior view of the church.

    Add St. Cuthbert’s Church - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    St. Cuthbert’s Church - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    High Etherley, Bishop Auckland

    Church is open from 9.30 - 15.30 on Saturday, September 19th. Church guide. Christian artwork on display. Saints trail for children. Nature trail for children. Refreshments available. 

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 09:30 - 15:30
    More info for St. Cuthbert’s Church - Heritage Open Days
  8. Group of runners wearing head torches pose together indoors after a night time run.

    Add Dark Skies Run - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Dark Skies Run - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Newbiggin

    Discover the freedom of trail running at night, in the company of experienced runners, as we follow the route of the High Force and Bowlees Geotrail. From Low Force we will run the Pennine Way to High Force. After experiencing the atmosphere of this…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Oct 2026Open 19:00 - 21:30
    More info for Dark Skies Run - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  9. Haunted Raby: Ghost Walk Tour - Darkened picture of the castle exterior across the lake.

    Add Haunted Raby: Ghost Walk Tour - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Haunted Raby: Ghost Walk Tour - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop

    Join us at dusk for a special torchlit tour of Raby Castle. Find out from our guides about the unexplained phenomenon and reported hauntings witnessed over centuries at the castle. From the unfortunate demise of some of the castle's past residents…

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 18:00 - 19:00
    More info for Haunted Raby: Ghost Walk Tour - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  10. 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
  11. Image of Thursday evenings at The Light

    Add Thursday Evenings at The Light to your Itinerary

    Thursday Evenings at The Light

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Aykley Heads, Durham

    Regular events for curious minds and creative hands every Thursday from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. A new weekly programme of events making Thursday evenings at The Light a regular fixture in Durham's cultural calendar.

    Venue

    The Light, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    3 Sept 2026to3 Sept 2027Various Opening Times
    More info for Thursday Evenings at The Light
  12. Santa and his helpers aboard the train.

    Add Santa Express - Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Santa Express - Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland,

    Santa Express – A Magical Christmas Journey. Create unforgettable Christmas memories aboard the Santa Express at Weardale Railway. Running on selected dates throughout November and December, this festive heritage train departs from Stanhope Station…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 09:30 - 18:00
    More info for Santa Express - Weardale Railway
  13. Four men singing on stage, with text underneath The Wilson Family.

    Add The Wilsons - Market Square - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    The Wilsons - Market Square - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    The the foremost proponents in the country of traditional harmony singing, The Wilsons repertoire is rich with songs from Teeside and the North East. They famously joined Sting in New York for his production The Last Ship, have performed at the BBC…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 16:00 - 16:30
    More info for The Wilsons - Market Square - Durham Folk Festival
  14. A red cocktail with mist coming off it.

    Add Spooky Food & Cocktail Specials - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Spooky Food & Cocktail Specials - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Stanley

    Get into the Halloween spirit with our spooktacular food and cocktail specials, available throughout the Halloween holidays!

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
    More info for Spooky Food & Cocktail Specials - South Causey Inn
  15. Dogs wearing jumpers running around an autumnal forest.

    Add Santa Paws Christmas Walk & Breakfast - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Santa Paws Christmas Walk & Breakfast - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Wrap up warm in festive Christmas attire for both you and your furry friend, grab the lead, and join us for a magical festive morning in the countryside.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 09:00 -
    More info for Santa Paws Christmas Walk & Breakfast - South Causey Inn
  16. Poster showing Dolly Parton Story event

    Add The Dolly Story - The Pavilion to your Itinerary

    The Dolly Story - The Pavilion

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Peterlee

    Dolly Parton Tribute - Live Music.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026Open 15:00 - 19:00
    More info for The Dolly Story - The Pavilion
  17. A telescope silhouetted against a star-filled night sky, with the Milky Way visible in the background.

    Add Saturn - Lord of the Rings - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Saturn - Lord of the Rings - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Saturn – the enigmatic ringed beauty is by far most people's favourite – if you haven't looked through a telescope at Saturn then do not miss this opportunity to do so. With its glorious ring system dazzling the observer it is a veritable observing…

    Venue

    Grassholme Observatory, Teesdale

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    31 Oct 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Saturn - Lord of the Rings - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  18. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Voices from the Lough: Li Ban, Barry Kerr - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Voices from the Lough: Li Ban, Barry Kerr - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Flass Street, Durham

    A celebration of Lough Neagh and the Bann in the ancient province of Ulster by the world-class musicians it has produced.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 14:00 - 16:15
    More info for Voices from the Lough: Li Ban, Barry Kerr - Durham Folk Festival
  19. Author Jill Dawson, accompanied with the cover of her book Pixie, in the shape of a tarot card, on a yellow background surrounded by illustrated books

    Add Jill Dawson: Pixie: Tarot Evening - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    Jill Dawson: Pixie: Tarot Evening - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Writer and Tarot reader Kym Deyn will use her deck to interview Jill Dawson about the life of twentieth-century artist Pamela ‘Pixie’ Colman Smith – the forgotten third designer of the iconic Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot deck. 

    Dates

    From:
    9 Oct 2026Open 18:30 - 19:30
    More info for Jill Dawson: Pixie: Tarot Evening - Durham Book Festival
  20. Text reads, 'Victory Over The Sun Encounters with Light' against a multicoloured background of light emerging from darkness.

    Add Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light - The Light to your Itinerary

    Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light - The Light

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    This major exhibition brings together groundbreaking works by a diverse group of international artists who explore light in innovative and unexpected ways.

    Venue

    The Light, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    22 Aug 2026to17 Jan 2027
    More info for Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light - The Light
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