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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. 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
  2. Clay Pigeon Shooting in the beautiful Beamish Valley

    Add Clay Pigeon Shoot at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Clay Pigeon Shoot at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event

    Stanley

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

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026
    From:
    16 May 2026
    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 at South Causey Inn
  3. Murdered to Death by Peter Gordon. 27th September - 3rd October 2026.

    Add Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon - A Comedy - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon - A Comedy - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    A spoof Miss Marple set in a country mansion.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    28 Sept 2026to2 Oct 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    3 Oct 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon - A Comedy - The City Theatre
  4. Children outdoors listening to sounds of nature

    Add Wild Wednesday to your Itinerary

    Wild Wednesday

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Newbiggin

    Wild Wednesdays are activities suitable for children aged five and over to enjoy and be creative. 10.30am to 12.30pm.
    Explore the sounds of spring, by recording the sounds around us, and making our own instruments on 15 April.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Wild Wednesday
  5. Children attending an event at The Bowes Museum.

    Add Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Step into the world of Vivienne Westwood, the ultimate rule-breaker of fashion, in a family-friendly tour that brings her exhibition to life.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Apr 2026
    From:
    26 May 2026to27 May 2026
    More info for Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum
  6. Durham City Run Festival

    Add Durham City Run Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham City Run Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Durham City

    Ten years after the first Durham City Run in 2016, the 5K and 10K races return to the historic city centre this July!
    Experience a midsummer evening of running around some of Durham’s most iconic historic landmarks, and collect a medal and goody bag…

    Dates

    From:
    16 July 2026to18 July 2026
    More info for Durham City Run Festival
  7. Mamma Mia Magic - Tribute Night

    Add Mamma Mia Magic - Tribute Night to your Itinerary

    Mamma Mia Magic - Tribute Night

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    West Auckland

    GIMME! GIMME! GIMME! (A Ticket to Mamma Mia!)

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 19:00 - 23:00
    More info for Mamma Mia Magic - Tribute Night
  8. Colourful surreal illustration of a man's head amongst a blue cloudy sky with animals, hills, a plane and a little girl sliding from a cloud around hi

    Add Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble to your Itinerary

    Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    A unique concert will take place on the 1st of May at the magnificent Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2026Open 19:30 - 20:30
    More info for Hayao Miyazaki's Dreams by Mystery Ensemble
  9. Crowds of people attending Bishop Auckland Food Festival, Market Stalls, bunting

    Add Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink Festival

    Bishop Auckland

    A weekend of incredible celebrity chef demonstrations, regional food, drink traders & local entertainers.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026
  10. Masquerade mask

    Add Durham University Student Performing Arts - Masquerade to your Itinerary

    Durham University Student Performing Arts - Masquerade

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Step into a world of glittering mystery as Durham University Student Performing Arts presents Masquerade, a night of elegance, opulence, and unforgettable music.

    Dates

    From:
    12 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Durham University Student Performing Arts - Masquerade
  11. 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
  12. Adult and child taking part in the Forest School

    Add Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield to your Itinerary

    Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Meadowfield

    Forest school for primary age.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    From:
    23 May 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    From:
    20 June 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    More info for Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield
  13. Pianist, Warren Mailley-Smith.

    Add Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto by Candlelight - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto by Candlelight - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham

    Step into the tranquil glow of candlelight and enjoy a spellbinding evening of classical music in the stunning surroundings of Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto by Candlelight - Durham Cathedral
  14. Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Add Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Chester-Le-Street

    Lumley Castle Hotel at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will be the backdrop for Opulence, running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September.

    While the big-name performers are not being unveiled until later this month, organisers have promised it will…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026
    More info for Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel
  15. Illustration of a tractor mowing a lawn against a background of blue sky, sunshine and fluffy white clouds.

    Add Little Farmers: Bonny Babies - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Little Farmers: Bonny Babies - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Little Farmers: Baby Sensory Experience at The Paddocks

    Dates

    From:
    4 May 2026to18 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:30
    From:
    1 June 2026to29 June 2026Open 11:30 - 15:30
    More info for Little Farmers: Bonny Babies - High Farm Holiday Park
  16. Carrie Hope Fletcher concert poster

    Add Carrie Hope Fletcher: The Ghost Light Tour to your Itinerary

    Carrie Hope Fletcher: The Ghost Light Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Carrie Hope Fletcher (Heathers, Cinderella, Calamity Jane), one of the UK's most beloved musical theatre stars, is set to light up cathedrals across the UK in her breathtaking new Ghost Light concert tour.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Oct 2026Open 19:30 - 22:30
    More info for Carrie Hope Fletcher: The Ghost Light Tour
  17. The exterior of The Bowes Museum and its grounds on a sunny day.

    Add Character Studies – 3 Acts: Meg Fletcher Artwork Installation  at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Character Studies – 3 Acts: Meg Fletcher Artwork Installation at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    The Bowes Museum is proud to unveil a captivating new commission by Northumberland-based fashion and textile artist Meg Fletcher, whose work delves into identity, storytelling, and the theatrical nature of dress. Fletcher has created a series of…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Mar 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Character Studies – 3 Acts: Meg Fletcher Artwork Installation at The Bowes Museum
  18. G4 members wearing santa hats and suits.

    Add G4 Christmas 2026 - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    G4 Christmas 2026 - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year as G4 bring glad tidings of great joy this festive season, with the return of their 'G4 Christmas' tour in the most awe-inspiring cathedrals, priories, minsters, halls and abbeys across the UK.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Nov 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for G4 Christmas 2026 - Durham Cathedral
  19. Chutney trader. Woman looking at stall and holding purse.

    Add Barnard Castle Market to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Barnard Castle

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Wednesday 8.00am to 16.30

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Barnard Castle Market
  20. Various model trains

    Add Hornby Railway Collectors’ Association Exhibition at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Hornby Railway Collectors’ Association Exhibition at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    See incredible model railway layouts and brilliant models in action in this exhibition of vintage Hornby products and more. 

    Dates

    From:
    25 Apr 2026to26 Apr 2026
    More info for Hornby Railway Collectors’ Association Exhibition at Locomotion
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