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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 group of performers singing.

    Add Ensemble 84 to your Itinerary

    Ensemble 84

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Peterlee

    Shakespeare - 28th May to 6th June followed by Pits, People and Players - 9th to 13th June, 125 years of Horden's history.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026to6 June 2026
    From:
    9 June 2026to13 June 2026
    More info for Ensemble 84
  2. Summer Craft Fayre. Colourful Illustration of patterned plates, jugs, and vases on a stall.

    Add Summer Craft Fayre - Chester le Street Methodist Church to your Itinerary

    Summer Craft Fayre - Chester le Street Methodist Church

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Chester le Street

    Summer Craft Fayre on Saturday 20th June, 9.30am–1.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026Open 09:30 - 13:30
    More info for Summer Craft Fayre - Chester le Street Methodist Church
  3. 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 – he did not seek simply to record details of the mining industry but expressed…

    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
  4. 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:
    30 May 2026Open 11:00 -
    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 11:00 -
    From:
    21 Nov 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Marian Art in Durham Cathedral
  5. Grimethorpe Colliery Band

    Add Grimethorpe Colliery Band In Concert to your Itinerary

    Grimethorpe Colliery Band In Concert

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Founded over a century ago in a Yorkshire mining village, Grimethorpe Colliery Band achieved a worldwide reputation from the hit film Brassed Off and are regarded as one of Britain's finest brass bands.

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Grimethorpe Colliery Band In Concert
  6. Teams of eight racing at Durham Regatta on a beautiful sunny day against the backdrop of Durham Cathedral and Castle.

    Add The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026 to your Itinerary

    The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Old Elvet, Durham City

    Join us for a spectacular weekend of racing and bank-side entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026to14 June 2026
    More info for The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026
  7. Abstract black and white photo of a crowd.

    Add An Evening of Radiohead at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    An Evening of Radiohead at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    The College, Durham

    An Evening of Radiohead, performed by a full band, vocalists & string quartet in the ethereal surroundings of Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026Open 19:30 - 22:30
    More info for An Evening of Radiohead at Durham Cathedral
  8. Durham Miners' Gala. Crowds enjoying the Gala outside of the County Hotel. Colliery Banners can be seen as the Bands march through the streets.

    Durham Miners' Gala 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham City

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns on 11th July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026
    More info for Durham Miners' Gala 2026
  9. 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
  10. Stalls at Sedgefield Farmers Market on the village green

    Add Sedgefield Farmers Market to your Itinerary

    Sedgefield Farmers Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Sedgefield

    The market is run by Sedgefield Development Trust - and is held every first Sunday of the Month, on the village green, from 8.30am to 12.30pm - and includes a free community stall, music tent & health bus.

    The free stall is available to clubs and…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Sedgefield Farmers Market
  11. Peterlee Comic Con advertising poster

    Add Peterlee Comic Con to your Itinerary

    Peterlee Comic Con

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Peterlee

    The inaugural Peterlee Comic Con will have special guests.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Peterlee Comic Con
  12. Trains at Locomotion

    Add Pride at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Pride at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Celebrating diversity in partnership with Durham Pride, including our Trainbow craft activity.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026
    More info for Pride at Locomotion
  13. 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)
  14. Black and white photo of Tom Stade looking off to the left.

    Add Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    The legendary Canadian stand-up star is back on the road with a brand-new show.

    Dates

    From:
    22 May 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    More info for Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham
  15. Heritage Open Days Logo

    Heritage Open Days 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026
    More info for Heritage Open Days 2026
  16. 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
  17. South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Add South Causey Monthly Dog Walk to your Itinerary

    South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Dog-Friendly

    STANLEY

    Join the South Causey Dog Walking Club every 1st Saturday of the month at 10 am for a picturesque stroll through the beautiful Beamish Valley. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  18. DreamWorks Shrek The Musical logo

    Add Shrek The Musical to your Itinerary

    Shrek The Musical

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chester-le-Street

    Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is an award-winning fairy tale adventure.

    Dates

    From:
    10 June 2026to13 June 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Shrek The Musical
  19. Text reads, 'Summer Sing-a-Long starring the Forget Me Not Singers. 7 June 2026, 2pm-3pm.' Graphic image of pink flowers and leaves in the background.

    Add Summer Sing-a-Long - Chester-le-Street Methodist Church to your Itinerary

    Summer Sing-a-Long - Chester-le-Street Methodist Church

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Chester le Street

    Summer Sing along free event starring the 'Forget Me Not Singers' 7th June 2026, 2pm - 3pm. 

    Dates

    From:
    7 June 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    More info for Summer Sing-a-Long - Chester-le-Street Methodist Church
  20. Wine and a selection of scones and jams.

    Add Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force to your Itinerary

    Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force

    Type

    Type:

    Food Events

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Monday - Saturday Celebrate in the heart of Upper Teesdale with our cosy Fireside Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force
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