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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. 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
  2. Close up of vegetables at market stall. Person standing next to veg.

    Add Consett Market to your Itinerary

    Consett Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Consett

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Consett Market
  3. Spring planter with colourful flowers.

    Add Create Your Own Spring Planter - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Create Your Own Spring Planter - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Staindrop

    Welcome Spring with a bright and joyful Spring Planter Workshop with Deborah from Periwinkle Barn. In this hands‑on session, you’ll design your own beautiful planter filled with fresh spring blooms, soft greenery, and uplifting seasonal colour.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Apr 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Create Your Own Spring Planter - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  4. An ornate 19th-century lace parasol with an intricately patterned cream lace canopy. The handle is made of ivory or bone with a decorative metal finia

    Add Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection to your Itinerary

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection marks 20 years since the landmark exhibition Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection and commemorates the gift of the Blackborne lace collection to The Bowes Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to11 Apr 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection
  5. 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
  6. Elvana frontman in swimming pool.

    Add ELVANA "Viva Brass Vegas" with Oompah Brass XXL to your Itinerary

    ELVANA "Viva Brass Vegas" with Oompah Brass XXL

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Blending the swagger of rockabilly with the raw punch of grunge, ELVANA rips through Nirvana's catalogue while smashing it together with the finest moments of Elvis Presley's legacy.

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for ELVANA "Viva Brass Vegas" with Oompah Brass XXL
  7. Hector Gannet performing.

    Add HECTOR GANNET "Talking In The Mother Tongue" with Durham Miners' Association Brass Band to your Itinerary

    HECTOR GANNET "Talking In The Mother Tongue" with Durham Miners' Association Brass Band

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Flass Street, Durham City

    Hector Gannet returns to Durham Brass Festival, ahead of their forthcoming third album, The Great Shakedown, due later in this year.

    Dates

    From:
    17 July 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for HECTOR GANNET "Talking In The Mother Tongue" with Durham Miners' Association Brass Band
  8. Close-up of a mannequin wearing a vibrant, multicoloured fuzzy coat in shades of blue, purple, and yellow. Underneath is a white shirt with a bold pin

    Add Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary (28 March 2026 – 6 September 2026) is a multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of fashion's most provocative and imaginative designers.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to6 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum
  9. 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
  10. Crookfest 26. List of bands, and background image of a crowd with their hands in the air.

    Add Crookfest'26 to your Itinerary

    Crookfest'26

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Willington , Crook

    Crook Fest 2026. ​​​​​One day. Three stages. 18 bands.

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026Open 11:30 - 22:30
    More info for Crookfest'26
  11. A flower arrangement made up of white flowers.

    Add Cestrian Flower Club to your Itinerary

    Cestrian Flower Club

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Chester-Le-Street

    Flower arranging demonstration by Marion Hinchley titled "Summer Time".

    Dates

    From:
    7 May 2026Open 18:45 - 21:00
    More info for Cestrian Flower Club
  12. 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
  13. Ever Ready Band performing.

    Add EverReady Band performing Myth, Magic & More to your Itinerary

    EverReady Band performing Myth, Magic & More

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    One of the North East's most celebrated brass ensembles, EverReady Band brings epic stories and cinematic soundscapes to life in the beautiful surroundings of Durham Cathedral as part of the 2026 Durham Brass Festival.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for EverReady Band performing Myth, Magic & More
  14. Lumley Castle, the author Glenda Young and the front cover of a book

    Add Glenda Young Author Talk with Cream Tea at Lumley Castle to your Itinerary

    Glenda Young Author Talk with Cream Tea at Lumley Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Chester-le-Street

    Enjoy a special afternoon with cream tea at Lumley Castle with a book talk by bestselling author Glenda Young.

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Glenda Young Author Talk with Cream Tea at Lumley Castle
  15. 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
  16. S&DR 200 logo

    S&DR200 Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    The 27 September 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), which gave birth to the modern railway. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the nine-month S&DR200 Festival will take place across…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2025to31 May 2026
    More info for S&DR200 Festival
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre

    Add Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    A man and a woman alone in a room. Four times over. What will we get?

    Dates

    From:
    19 Apr 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    20 Apr 2026to24 Apr 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    25 Apr 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre
  20. 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
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