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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. Bride descending a staircase

    Add A Wedding Showcase with a Difference to your Itinerary

    A Wedding Showcase with a Difference

    Type

    Type:

    Wedding Fairs and Events

    Durham

    Next season, Tees Valley Weddings is hosting a wedding showcase at the beautiful 61 Durham. This isn’t your typical wedding fair – it’s designed to be more hands-on, inspiring, and personal. 

    Dates

    From:
    11 Jan 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
    More info for A Wedding Showcase with a Difference
  2. stars in sky by High Force Hotel

    Add Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Dark Skies

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    Discover the magnificence of the night sky with an exciting stargazing experience at the breath-taking High Force Waterfall in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Jan 2026to4 Jan 2026
    From:
    12 Feb 2026to15 Feb 2026
    From:
    20 Feb 2026to21 Feb 2026
    From:
    27 Feb 2026to28 Feb 2026
    From:
    13 Mar 2026to14 Mar 2026
    From:
    19 Mar 2026to21 Mar 2026
    From:
    27 Mar 2026to28 Mar 2026
    More info for Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall
  3. Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion

    Add Spotlight Tour - Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Spotlight Tour - Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Join Rachel Whitworth, Curator of Fashion & Textiles for an insightful introduction to the new Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion exhibition.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Feb 2026Open 11:00 - 11:30
    More info for Spotlight Tour - Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum
  4. 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
  5. Tom McGuinness, The Hewer, 1980s, oil on board. Gemini Collection, Zurbarán Trust

    Add Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery to your Itinerary

    Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    Our new Tom McGuinness exhibition opens on 18 February 2026. In his centenary year, the Mining Art Gallery celebrates this quiet man who communicated through his art.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to24 Dec 2026
    More info for Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery
  6. 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
  7. Painting of Robert Burns in front of the Scottish Flag.

    Add Burns Night Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Burns Night Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Join us for a lively Burns Night Banquet, celebrating Scottish tradition with a four-course meal which includes haggis, a goblet of red wine, a goblet of mead, and a dram of whisky per guest. 

    Dates

    From:
    23 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 01:00
    More info for Burns Night Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel
  8. A frosty, snowy day with High Force waterfall in the distance.

    Add The High Force Polar Quest to your Itinerary

    The High Force Polar Quest

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest in Teesdale

    Step into a frosty woodland world full of winter magic on our self-led High Force Polar Quest Trail.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
    More info for The High Force Polar Quest
  9. Andy Zaltzman

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Following a sell-out 2024/2025 national run, Andy Zaltzman – host of The Bugle podcast and BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, statistician on Test Match Special, and champion of Taskmaster series 18 – extends his hit tour into 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack
  10. Stephen K Amos

    Add Stephen K Amos "Now We're Talking!" to your Itinerary

    Stephen K Amos "Now We're Talking!"

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    The gloves are off and he's packing a punchline, so let's speak easy and laugh freely.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Jan 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    More info for Stephen K Amos "Now We're Talking!"
  11. Phot

    Add Durham University Palatinate Orchestra - Tchaikovsky's Symphony Pathétique to your Itinerary

    Durham University Palatinate Orchestra - Tchaikovsky's Symphony Pathétique

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    The College, Durham

    Durham University Palatinate Orchestra's 90-piece Symphony Orchestra plays Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony, his Pathétique Symphony, and music by Elgar and Pejačević in Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Durham University Palatinate Orchestra - Tchaikovsky's Symphony Pathétique
  12. 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
  13. The Welfare Collective.

    Add The Welfare Collective / Paul Nowak / Stephen Smith to your Itinerary

    The Welfare Collective / Paul Nowak / Stephen Smith

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Durham Miners Association present an evening of live music.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Feb 2026Open 19:00 - 22:30
    More info for The Welfare Collective / Paul Nowak / Stephen Smith
  14. 3 women in Santa hats laughing and drinking from champagne flutes.

    Add Christmas Party Night - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Christmas Party Night - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Get ready to celebrate the festive season in style with our  lively Christmas Party Night! Enjoy a delicious two-course  dinner followed by a fun-filled evening of dancing and entertainment. Whether you’re gathering with colleagues,  friends, or…

    Dates

    From:
    31 Jan 2026
    More info for Christmas Party Night - Lumley Castle Hotel
  15. Durham Brass Festival logo on colourful backdrop of Durham.

    Durham Brass Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    BRASS is back in 2026 with a fantastic programme of brass-inspired events coming to Durham from 12 - 19 July. 

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to19 July 2026
    More info for Durham Brass Festival 2026
  16. Durham Jazz Festival Logo

    Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Old Cinema Launderette in Gilesgate,

    The 2026 Durham Jazz Festival will run from Friday 23rd October through to Sunday 25th October.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026
    More info for Durham Jazz Festival
  17. Burns Night Supper poster with date and time of event and an image of Rabbie Burns.

    Add Burns Night Supper - Manor House Hotel & Spa to your Itinerary

    Burns Night Supper - Manor House Hotel & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    Join us for an unforgettable Burns Night Supper at The Manor House Hotel & Spa!

    Dates

    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 19:00 - 23:30
    More info for Burns Night Supper - Manor House Hotel & Spa
  18. Party Through the Decades Poster. with baubles, stars and snowflakes.

    Add Christmas Party Through The Decades Disco - Bowburn Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Christmas Party Through The Decades Disco - Bowburn Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Join us for a night of fun and merriment get your dancing shoes on, and party the night away on the dance floor as our resident DJ plays you all the hits all night long.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Jan 2026to17 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Christmas Party Through The Decades Disco - Bowburn Hall Hotel
  19. Paul Sinah

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Paul Sinha - 2 Sinha Lifetime to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Paul Sinha - 2 Sinha Lifetime

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Paul celebrated his 30th anniversary in stand-up last year and despite his continued quiz successes, his Radio 4 series, and his decision to write a memoir, rather than a hastily patched together murder mystery, Paul is not ready to exit the stage…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Paul Sinha - 2 Sinha Lifetime
  20. Silhouette of a person photographing The Milky Way from the hillside

    Add Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Due to popular demand, we have laid on this exclusive event to educate the little ones on all things spacey!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    7 Feb 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
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