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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. 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
  2. Mrs Smith advertising poster.

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me! to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me!

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Mrs Smith was an ordinary teacher until she went viral on Facebook and accidentally became a comedian.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me!
  3. 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
  4. Poster advertising 80s Silent Disco evening at Durham Cathedral

    Add 80s Silent Disco in Durham Cathedral - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    80s Silent Disco in Durham Cathedral - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Expect 3 epic DJs playing all your favourite 80s tunes in the stunning, illuminated surroundings of Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Jan 2026Open 19:00 -
    More info for 80s Silent Disco in Durham Cathedral - Durham Cathedral
  5. Photography by Claire Collinson. Larger-than-life, soft recreations of an animal

    Add Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    See the museum’s renowned ceramic collection re-imagined into a vibrant and interactive experience for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum
  6. child poses with ice culture and flame lit torch outside Durham Cathedral.

    Add Fire and Ice Durham to your Itinerary

    Fire and Ice Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Experience the magic of Fire and Ice in Durham, a spectacular winter event transforming Durham City into a captivating wonderland.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Feb 2026to28 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Fire and Ice Durham
  7. January Available Now - Tom Bolton's Magic Corner

    Add Tom Bolton's The Magic Corner to your Itinerary

    Tom Bolton's The Magic Corner

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Old Elvet, Durham

    Surround yourself in the world of magic in this interactive and immersive show!

    Dates

    From:
    3 Jan 2026to31 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Tom Bolton's The Magic Corner
  8. 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
  9. People stood watching the traditional lion dance at Millennium Place Durham, part of the Lunar New Tear celebrations.

    Chinese New Year 2026 Celebrations - The Year of The Horse

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Durham City with a programme of exciting events.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Feb 2026
    More info for Chinese New Year 2026 Celebrations - The Year of The Horse
  10. Text reads, 'Wedding venue showcase Manor House Hotel. Sun 18th Jan' against a background of a beautiful room with tables set for a wedding reception.

    Add Wedding Venue Showcase - The Manor House Hotel & Spa to your Itinerary

    Wedding Venue Showcase - The Manor House Hotel & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Wedding Fairs and Events

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    You're Invited to Our Wedding Showcase!

    Dreaming of your perfect day? Join us at The Manor House Hotel & Spa, West Auckland for an exclusive Wedding Showcase! Explore our stunning venue, meet our expert wedding team, and discover everything we…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Jan 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Wedding Venue Showcase - The Manor House Hotel & Spa
  11. Carl Hutchinson

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Carl Hutchinson - Greatest Hits! to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Carl Hutchinson - Greatest Hits!

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Join Carl as he celebrates 10 years of touring as he presents his best and favourite routines from over the years.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Jan 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Carl Hutchinson - Greatest Hits!
  12. Professor Pip Moore diving to examine a kelp forest.

    Stronger Shores Talk Series: Kelp & Our Coasts (Online via Zoom)

    Type

    Type:

    Virtual Event

    Join expert, Professor Pip Moore, as she discusses all things kelp!

    Dates

    From:
    20 Jan 2026Open 19:00 - 20:00
    More info for Stronger Shores Talk Series: Kelp & Our Coasts (Online via Zoom)
  13. Crowds of people attending Bishop Auckland Food Festival, Market Stalls, bunting

    Add Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink Festival

    Bishop Auckland

    A weekend of incredible celebrity chef demonstrations, regional food, drink traders & local entertainers.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Bishop Auckland Food Festival 2026
  14. The game Cluedo. Board showing a wrench in the Library.

    Add Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Guests arrive at the opulent Black Mansion for an elegant 1950s cocktail party, only to discover their host has vanished, presumed dead. But who is behind the crime? 

    Dates

    From:
    7 Mar 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel
  15. Mark Watson leaning against a wall

    Add Mark Watson "Before It Overtakes Us" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Mark Watson "Before It Overtakes Us" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    20 years in stand-up for the 'Taskmaster' cheeky texts icon, multi-award-winner.

    Dates

    From:
    12 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Mark Watson "Before It Overtakes Us" - The Witham
  16. The Story at Mount Oswald

    Add S&DR200 - All Change to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - All Change

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    South Road, Durham City

    Through authentic voices from letters, diaries, court papers, and other day-to-day records from their collections, The Story will uncover the impact of the Stockton & Darlington Railway on the socio-economic fabric of the region.  

    Dates

    From:
    25 May 2025to26 Jan 2026
    More info for S&DR200 - All Change
  17. Choir performing at Durham Cathedral

    Add Handel's Messiah with Durham Cathedral Choir and the Avison Ensemble - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Handel's Messiah with Durham Cathedral Choir and the Avison Ensemble - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Durham Cathedral Choir performs Handel’s ever-popular Messiah with acclaimed early music specialists the Avison Ensemble. Enjoy well-loved music retelling the story of Christ, including the majestic ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus, one of the most famous pieces…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Feb 2026
    More info for Handel's Messiah with Durham Cathedral Choir and the Avison Ensemble - Durham Cathedral
  18. Mark Simmons dressed in a dinner jacket with Jester's trousers and shoes

    Add Mark Simmons "Jest to Impress" to your Itinerary

    Mark Simmons "Jest to Impress"

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    More expertly crafted one-liners, alongside his trademark off-the-cuff jokes based on random audience suggestions.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Mark Simmons "Jest to Impress"
  19. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026 to your Itinerary

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into Kynren, a live action outdoor theatre spectacular that immerses you in 2000 years of history on an epic scale.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026
  20. Durham University Chamber Choir.

    Add Durham University Chamber Choir: I Heard a Voice from Heaven to your Itinerary

    Durham University Chamber Choir: I Heard a Voice from Heaven

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    The College, Durham

    Join Durham University Chamber Choir on a journey from prayer to deliverance, bringing together the stunning passion of Łukaszewski's Lamentations with Howells' awe-inspiring Requiem in the Chapter House of the Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Durham University Chamber Choir: I Heard a Voice from Heaven
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