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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. Chester-le-EATS 26th/27th September. Poster shows hills and palm trees in a hazy purple background.

    Add Chester-le-EATS - Durham Cricket to your Itinerary

    Chester-le-EATS - Durham Cricket

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink Festival

    Riverside, Chester-le-Street

    Chester-le-EATS returns for its milestone fifth anniversary in 2026, bringing its biggest celebration yet to Chester-le-Street.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to27 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Chester-le-EATS - Durham Cricket
  2. 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
  3. Text reads, 'A Night Under The Big Top, The Grand Finale of Durham Cricket's Christmas Circus'. Graphic image of circus tent.

    Add A Night Under The Big Top - Durham Cricket to your Itinerary

    A Night Under The Big Top - Durham Cricket

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Riverside, Chester-le-Street

    Celebrate the grand finale of Durham Cricket's Christmas Circus with a festive arrival drink, three-course meal, classic funfair games, DJ and dancing. A magical Christmas party where festive traditions meet the nostalgic charm of the fairground.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for A Night Under The Big Top - Durham Cricket
  4. Exterior view of Crook Hall Gardens during summertime.

    Add History of Durham City Walk - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    History of Durham City Walk - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Durham

    A guided walk from Crook Hall Gardens delving into the history of Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    9 June 2026to27 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for History of Durham City Walk - Crook Hall Gardens
  5. Old photo of Peter Reid and Kevin Phillips looking off to the right and celebrating with their arms up

    Add Sunderland Legends: Peter Reid & Kevin Phillips - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Sunderland Legends: Peter Reid & Kevin Phillips - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham

    Join us for an audience with Sunderland Legends Peter Reid and Kevin Phillips.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Sept 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Sunderland Legends: Peter Reid & Kevin Phillips - Gala Durham
  6. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Macdara Yeates; Holly Carter; Seb Stone - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Macdara Yeates; Holly Carter; Seb Stone - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Durham

    Macdara Yeates is one of the driving forces in Dublin's the young traditional music scene. Known for his performances of Irish classics, docker songs and the forgotten ballads of his Dublin neighbourhood, he's a mesmerising performer.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026Open 15:30 - 18:30
    More info for Macdara Yeates; Holly Carter; Seb Stone - Durham Folk Festival
  7. Photograph of a museum or gallery setting where a guide explains exhibits to a group of four visitors. The scene features display cases with artifacts

    Add Bowes Book Club: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Bowes Book Club: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Barnard Castle

    Be transported to The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, a contemporary novel that follows Nora Seed as she finds herself in a mysterious library between life and death, where each book offers the chance to explore a different version of her life.…

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 14:30 - 15:30
    More info for Bowes Book Club: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - The Bowes Museum
  8. A photo of author Lucy Foley accompanied with the cover of her book The Hunting Party, on a blue background with cartoon books

    Add Lucy Foley: The Big Read - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    Lucy Foley: The Big Read - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    We are delighted to announce that the Sunday Times number one bestselling novel The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley is our 2026 Big Read. We will distribute 3,000 free copies of The Hunting Party to libraries, businesses and hospitals, and to students…

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2026Open 15:00 - 16:00
    More info for Lucy Foley: The Big Read - Durham Book Festival
  9. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Voices from the Lough: Li Ban, Barry Kerr - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Voices from the Lough: Li Ban, Barry Kerr - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Flass Street, Durham

    A celebration of Lough Neagh and the Bann in the ancient province of Ulster by the world-class musicians it has produced.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 14:00 - 16:15
    More info for Voices from the Lough: Li Ban, Barry Kerr - Durham Folk Festival
  10. Heritage open days logo of a pink letter 'H' in the shape of a castle.

    Add Mickleton Village Hall and the Community Over the Years - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    Mickleton Village Hall and the Community Over the Years - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Barnard Castle

    Come and see on the cinema screen how the village hall was built and what actually goes on in the hall. Displays and presentations by user groups and see how people use the site from family get togethers to country weddings. Tea and cake by…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Mickleton Village Hall and the Community Over the Years - Heritage Open Days
  11. St Cuthbert's Church, with stained glass windows, commonwealth war graves and exterior view of the church.

    Add St. Cuthbert’s Church - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    St. Cuthbert’s Church - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    High Etherley, Bishop Auckland

    Church is open from 9.30 - 15.30 on Saturday, September 19th. Church guide. Christian artwork on display. Saints trail for children. Nature trail for children. Refreshments available. 

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 09:30 - 15:30
    More info for St. Cuthbert’s Church - Heritage Open Days
  12. Elegant font depicting "The Fairytale Pantomime: Beauty and the Beast," with an extravagant interior background and a rose

    Add Beauty and the Beast - Pantomime - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Beauty and the Beast - Pantomime - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Consett

    Leah Bell and company return in 2026 with a tale as old as pantomime – Beauty and the Beast.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Beauty and the Beast - Pantomime - Empire Consett
  13. Image of Thursday evenings at The Light

    Add Thursday Evenings at The Light to your Itinerary

    Thursday Evenings at The Light

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Aykley Heads, Durham

    Regular events for curious minds and creative hands every Thursday from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. A new weekly programme of events making Thursday evenings at The Light a regular fixture in Durham's cultural calendar.

    Venue

    The Light, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    3 Sept 2026to3 Sept 2027Various Opening Times
    More info for Thursday Evenings at The Light
  14. A green steam train in the snowy wilderness.

    Add North Pole Express - Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    North Pole Express - Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Tanfield Lea, Stanley

    Step aboard the Tanfield Railway’s famous North Pole Express for a steam train journey to the North Pole! Tanfield Railway’s famous North Pole Express is one of the most popular and magical festive experiences in the North East, perfect for families…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026to20 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    22 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:25 - 16:25
    More info for North Pole Express - Tanfield Railway
  15. Impressionist seascape painting depicting a rocky shoreline with waves crashing against the coast.

    Add Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum is a major partnership between The Bowes Museum and the Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa), Le Havre.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to14 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum
  16. Stalls in a Christmas market, full of handmade goods and crafts.

    Add Christmas Markets - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Markets - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Our Christmas Markets are filled with twinkling lights, beautifully dressed stalls, and the comforting scent of mulled wine and seasonal treats in the air. Wander through a handpicked selection of independent traders offering unique gifts,…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    1 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    8 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    15 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    From:
    22 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 20:00
    More info for Christmas Markets - South Causey Inn
  17. Two people smiling dressed in Halloween themed pumpkin outfits in front of a bright Halloween castle

    Add Tommy & Tilly’s Magic Castle: A Spooktacular Pantomime! - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Tommy & Tilly’s Magic Castle: A Spooktacular Pantomime! - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Barnard Castle

    Step into a world of wonder, laughter, and a little bit of spooky sparkle this half term with Tommy & Tilly’s Magic Castle: A Spooktacular Pantomime!

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2026Open 13:00 -
    More info for Tommy & Tilly’s Magic Castle: A Spooktacular Pantomime! - The Witham
  18. Spanish Wine Dinner - Seaham Hall Hotel

    Add Spanish Wine Dinner - Seaham Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Spanish Wine Dinner - Seaham Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Seaham

    Join us for a relaxed dining experience celebrating Spanish food and wine, beginning with a selection of snacks before enjoying a three-course dinner.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Spanish Wine Dinner - Seaham Hall Hotel
  19. The Hound of The Baskervilles 22nd - 28th November 2026.

    Add The Hound of the Baskervilles - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    The Hound of the Baskervilles - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    A reduced cast production of this classic tale.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    23 Nov 2026to27 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for The Hound of the Baskervilles - The City Theatre
  20. Three singers in traditional clothing, next to a Christmas tree, performing festive live music during Beamish Museum's Christmas Evenings.

    Add Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings to your Itinerary

    Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Beamish Museum Christmas Evening Tickets on Sale Soon!

    Dates

    From:
    3 Dec 2026to4 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    10 Dec 2026to11 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    From:
    17 Dec 2026to18 Dec 2026Open 17:00 - 21:30
    More info for Beamish, The Living Museum of the North’s Magical Christmas Evenings
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