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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. Someone taking control of a historic Steam locomotive.

    Add Steam Driver Experiences - Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Steam Driver Experiences - Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Marley Hill, Tanfield

    Enjoy the Thrill of Driving a Historic Steam Locomotive at Tanfield Railway!

    Dates

    From:
    5 July 2026
    From:
    1 Aug 2026
    From:
    31 Aug 2026
    More info for Steam Driver Experiences - Tanfield Railway
  2. Choir Concerts - Weardale Community Choir

    Add Choir Concerts - Weardale Community Choir to your Itinerary

    Choir Concerts - Weardale Community Choir

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Come and join Weardale Community Choir for songs to welcome the warm days of Spring & Summer.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026Open 19:15 - 21:30
    More info for Choir Concerts - Weardale Community Choir
  3. View of the sea and beach from the clifftops

    Add Heritage Coastal Path parkrun, Easington to your Itinerary

    Heritage Coastal Path parkrun, Easington

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Easington Colliery, Peterlee

    A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Nearby Sunday 2k junior parkrun events for 4 to 14 year olds and their families can be found here.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Heritage Coastal Path parkrun, Easington
  4. Strahinja Mitrović

    Add Bishop Auckland Music Society 2026 Concert Series Continues in July with Strahinja Mitrović (Double Bass) to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland Music Society 2026 Concert Series Continues in July with Strahinja Mitrović (Double Bass)

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Bishop Auckland

    Serbian double bassist Strahinja Mitrović is studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he is currently pursuing postgraduate studies in the class of esteemed cellist Louise Hopkins.

    Dates

    From:
    10 July 2026Open 19:00 - 21:30
    More info for Bishop Auckland Music Society 2026 Concert Series Continues in July with Strahinja Mitrović (Double Bass)
  5. Ayclive poster, 24th/25th July, with the image of a crowd in the background showing festival goers enjoying themselves.

    Add Ayclive 2026 - Oakleaf Sports Field to your Itinerary

    Ayclive 2026 - Oakleaf Sports Field

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Newton Aycliffe

    Ayclive Festival is a vibrant, community-driven music event in Newton Aycliffe, organised by dedicated volunteers passionate about live entertainment and local pride. Created to celebrate the town's 75th anniversary, its inaugural event took place…

    Dates

    From:
    24 July 2026Open 18:00 - 23:00
    From:
    25 July 2026Open 11:30 - 23:00
    More info for Ayclive 2026 - Oakleaf Sports Field
  6. Photo of Dan Whitehouse

    Add Dan Whitehouse Continues To Renew, Reinvent and Reimagine with James Thoroughgood at The White Room Music Cafe to your Itinerary

    Dan Whitehouse Continues To Renew, Reinvent and Reimagine with James Thoroughgood at The White Room Music Cafe

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Stanley

    Dan Whitehouse is always searching for something new. Over a career spanning more than two decades, the acclaimed Black Country artist has continually evolved, shifting from the introspective acoustic singer-songwriter of his early solo records into…

    Dates

    From:
    11 June 2026Open 19:30 - 22:45
    More info for Dan Whitehouse Continues To Renew, Reinvent and Reimagine with James Thoroughgood at The White Room Music Cafe
  7. Clay Pigeon Shooting in the beautiful Beamish Valley

    Add Clay Pigeon Shoot - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Clay Pigeon Shoot - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event

    Stanley

    Experience the thrill of clay pigeon shooting in the beautiful Beamish Valley.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026
    From:
    18 July 2026
    From:
    15 Aug 2026
    From:
    19 Sept 2026
    From:
    17 Oct 2026
    From:
    21 Nov 2026
    From:
    19 Dec 2026
    More info for Clay Pigeon Shoot - South Causey Inn
  8. The library at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens - rows of historical books and view of arched window at the rear.

    Add Discover Big Library - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Discover Big Library - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Durham

    Experience the Big Library on the first Friday of every month (July-Dec 2026) as we celebrate the 175th anniversary of one of Britain’s most extraordinary historic libraries.

    Dates

    From:
    3 July 2026to4 Dec 2026
    More info for Discover Big Library - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  9. Yellow classic car at Raby Castle.

    Add Classic Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Classic Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Staindrop

    Classic Car Show – a Raby Castle collaboration with Durham Automobile Club.

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Classic Car Show - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  10. An ornate 19th-century lace parasol with an intricately patterned cream lace canopy. The handle is made of ivory or bone with a decorative metal finia

    Add Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection to your Itinerary

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection marks 20 years since the landmark exhibition Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection and commemorates the gift of the Blackborne lace collection to The Bowes Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to11 Apr 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection
  11. Illustration of Max Richter and Vivaldi standing back to back.

    Add Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    A unique concert will take place at the magnificent Durham Cathedral on the 8th of August!

    Dates

    From:
    8 Aug 2026Open 19:30 - 20:30
    More info for Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons - Durham Cathedral
  12. People enjoy tours at Auckland Gardens.

    Add Auckland Gardens: Weekly Tours - Auckland Gardens to your Itinerary

    Auckland Gardens: Weekly Tours - Auckland Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Bishop Auckland ,

    Uncover the stories behind the gardens, from hidden details to standout features.

    Dates

    From:
    19 May 2026to30 June 2026
    More info for Auckland Gardens: Weekly Tours - Auckland Gardens
  13. Wellbeing equipment in preparation for wellness treatments.

    Add Wellbeing Retreats - Crux Fitness to your Itinerary

    Wellbeing Retreats - Crux Fitness

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Stanley

    Our wellbeing retreats are a unique experience providing skills and techniques to help reset your nervous system and tackle the stresses of every day life.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026Open 10:00 -
    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 10:00 -
    More info for Wellbeing Retreats - Crux Fitness
  14. Guided walk in Wolsingham: a group of walkers and a dog on a scenic woodland trail.

    Add Free Monthly Guided Walks - Wolsingham to your Itinerary

    Free Monthly Guided Walks - Wolsingham

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland

    Our monthly guided walks take place on the 2nd Saturday of every month leaving Wolsingham Town Hall in the Market Place at 10am.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026to12 Dec 2026
    More info for Free Monthly Guided Walks - Wolsingham
  15. Close up shot of an owl.

    Add Wise Like Dad - Father's Day Owl Experience - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Wise Like Dad - Father's Day Owl Experience - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Father's Day

    Lanchester

    Celebrate Father's Day with a truly unforgettable experience Treat Dad to a magical Owl Workshop where he'll meet two incredible stars of the bird world — the elegant Barn Owl and the majestic Great Grey Owl.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026Open 14:00 - 15:30
    More info for Wise Like Dad - Father's Day Owl Experience - Lanchester Garden Centre
  16. Close up of vegetables at market stall. Person standing next to veg.

    Add Consett Market to your Itinerary

    Consett Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Consett

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Consett Market
  17. Pink and purple flower arrangement.

    Add Cestrian Flower Club - Methodist Church to your Itinerary

    Cestrian Flower Club - Methodist Church

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Chester-le-Street

    Flower arranging demonstration by Sue Elsdon, Master Florist.

    Dates

    From:
    2 July 2026Open 18:30 - 21:30
    More info for Cestrian Flower Club - Methodist Church
  18. Marian ceramic plaque

    Add Marian Art in Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Marian Art in Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham City

    Join Professor Jane Heath from the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University on this specially curated tour of the Marian Art in Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 11:00 -
    From:
    21 Nov 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Marian Art in Durham Cathedral
  19. Adam Beattie playing guitar and Fiona Bevan arms stretched wide.

    Add Multi-Platinum Singer-Songwriter "Fiona Bevan" and Scottish Singer-Songwriter "Adam Beattie's" Double Header Tour at Old Cinema Laundrette to your Itinerary

    Multi-Platinum Singer-Songwriter "Fiona Bevan" and Scottish Singer-Songwriter "Adam Beattie's" Double Header Tour at Old Cinema Laundrette

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham

    Acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter Adam Beattie 'Uplifting Reveries Of Love' (Mojo Magazine) and multi-platinum singer-songwriter Fiona Bevan 'Startling odysseys' (The Guardian) embark on a double headline tour of the UK in celebration of their…

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026Open 19:00 - 22:00
    More info for Multi-Platinum Singer-Songwriter "Fiona Bevan" and Scottish Singer-Songwriter "Adam Beattie's" Double Header Tour at Old Cinema Laundrette
  20. Four women lying on grass in a circle with heads close together, viewed from above. They wear casual clothing in black, white, and patterned fabrics.

    Add Marshall Gilmour Webbs in Concert - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Marshall Gilmour Webbs in Concert - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Barnard Castle

    Experience an unforgettable evening of live music as Marshall Gilmour Webbs perform in concert at the Bowes Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 18:30 - 21:30
    More info for Marshall Gilmour Webbs in Concert - The Bowes Museum
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