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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. The Girl on a Train - 28th June - 4th July 2026. Poster shows an illustration of Rachel Watson looking out the train window.

    Add The Girl on a Train Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    The Girl on a Train Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    Adapted from the book by Paula Hawkins. A thriller. Has Rachel Watson witnessed a murder or is she a suspect?

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    29 June 2026to3 July 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    4 July 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for The Girl on a Train Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel - The City Theatre
  2. Green truck with the name Swamp Thing painted on the side

    Add Truckfest North East 2026 to your Itinerary

    Truckfest North East 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Wolsingham

    Join us for Truckfest North East and be amazed by monster trucks and arena stunt shows.

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026to31 May 2026Open 09:00 - 16:00
    More info for Truckfest North East 2026
  3. Mini-tour guide with children

    Add Easter Holiday Activities to your Itinerary

    Easter Holiday Activities

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Durham City

    Every weekday during the Easter break, get crafty painting your own pebble to reflect on the Easter message of the empty tomb or for the first week (6 - 10 April) join a free family-friendly mini tour and discover something new.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Easter Holiday Activities
  4. Shoppers on Church Street, Seaham at Seaham Seaside Market

    Add Seaham Seaside Market to your Itinerary

    Seaham Seaside Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Seaham

    Seaham Seaside Market is a weekly market held every Friday.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Seaham Seaside Market
  5. K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash

    Add K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash to your Itinerary

    K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Step into a world of colour, music, and pure idol magic! Our K-POPping Children's Party is packed with upbeat songs, fun dance routines, adorable meet-and-greet moments, and plenty of photo opportunities to capture every superstar smile.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 17:30 - 19:00
    From:
    29 May 2026Open 17:30 - 19:00
    More info for K-Beat Demon Breaker Bash
  6. A model railway including train and station.

    Add Magnificent Models Weekend at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Magnificent Models Weekend at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    See the wonderful world of railways in miniature at this fantastic free event, delivered in partnership with Locomotion Models.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026to17 May 2026
    More info for Magnificent Models Weekend at Locomotion
  7. Durham World Heritage site, Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle and surrounding woodland.

    Add Durham World Heritage Day 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham World Heritage Day 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Celebrate World Heritage Day on Saturday 18 April at Durham Castle & Cathedral WHS with The People’s Story.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 09:30 - 16:00
    More info for Durham World Heritage Day 2026
  8. Durham Cathedral altar cloths

    Add Embroidery Tour to your Itinerary

    Embroidery Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham City

    Durham Cathedral is home to a fascinating collection of ecclesiastical textiles ranging from very rare and unique Angl-Saxon examples to 20th and 21st century work by its Broderers, a group of highly skilled traditional embroiderers. Join us on a…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Apr 2026Open 13:00 -
    More info for Embroidery Tour
  9. B*Witched concert poster

    Add B*Witched Live in Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    B*Witched Live in Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Join us in April as iconic 90s pop group B*Witched perform a very special show inside the beautiful surroundings of Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 22:00
    More info for B*Witched Live in Durham Cathedral
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. A white Alpaca.

    Add Alpaca Petting to your Itinerary

    Alpaca Petting

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us and Fellside Alpacas for the return of our Alpaca Petting event.

    Dates

    From:
    29 May 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Alpaca Petting
  13. 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
  14. SPARC Summit Late - Space - Art - Conversation

    Add SPARC Summit Late at Ushaw to your Itinerary

    SPARC Summit Late at Ushaw

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham

    Explore the big ideas in space through art, music and conversation at this one-night-only experience, in an immersive, historic setting.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Apr 2026Open 18:30 -
    More info for SPARC Summit Late at Ushaw
  15. 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
  16. Spring Artisan Market. Illustration of two people at a market stall.

    Add Spring Artisan Market - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors to your Itinerary

    Spring Artisan Market - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Seaham

    Celebrate the season with a wonderful weekend of spring shopping, bringing together a fantastic selection of carefully chosen local artisan makers and independent producers. Discover a vibrant mix of unique gifts, seasonal delights and irresistible…

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026to17 May 2026
    More info for Spring Artisan Market - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors
  17. Choral Society choir

    Add Durham Choral Society - Lux Aeterna, Morten Lauridsen and Mass in D Major, Dvořák to your Itinerary

    Durham Choral Society - Lux Aeterna, Morten Lauridsen and Mass in D Major, Dvořák

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Durham Choral Society returns to Durham Cathedral for an uplifting and deeply contemplative evening of choral music, bringing together two radiant masterworks that explore faith, light and spiritual hope. Doors open 6.45pm for 7.30pm start.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026Open 19:30 - 22:00
    More info for Durham Choral Society - Lux Aeterna, Morten Lauridsen and Mass in D Major, Dvořák
  18. Bluebells in woodland with sunlight coming through the trees.

    Add A Guided Bluebell Walk - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    A Guided Bluebell Walk - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Staindrop

    Guided Walk Through the Historic Woodlands. Experience the enchanting beauty of spring with the Bluebell Walk at Raby Castle. Hike uphill through the castle’s picturesque woodlands, where vibrant carpets of bluebells create a breathtaking natural…

    Dates

    From:
    30 Apr 2026to10 May 2026
    More info for A Guided Bluebell Walk - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  19. Dragon Easter Egg Hunt. Photos of dragons  and eggs.

    Add Easter Dragon Egg Hunt - The Hole In Wand to your Itinerary

    Easter Dragon Egg Hunt - The Hole In Wand

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Seaham

    Calling All Witches And Wizards! An Apprentice sorcerer has muddled an Easter spell and cursed 6 Dragon Eggs!

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Easter Dragon Egg Hunt - The Hole In Wand
  20. Club Night Photograph

    Add Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Sedgefield

    Monthly club night and floral demonstrations, refreshments, club news and a raffle for the flowers made by the demonstrator.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Apr 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    From:
    19 May 2026Open 19:00 - 21:15
    From:
    16 June 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    From:
    15 Sept 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    From:
    20 Oct 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    From:
    17 Nov 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    More info for Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration
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