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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. 1900s Pit Village band hall

    Add Beamish Folk - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Beamish Folk - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Beamish

    Beamish Folk is a new folk music session taking place on the second Sunday of each month in our 1900s Pit Village band hall, 11.30am-1.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    10 May 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    14 June 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    12 July 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    9 Aug 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    13 Sept 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    11 Oct 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    8 Nov 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    More info for Beamish Folk - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  2. Durham Choral Society and Orchestra - Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna, Dvořák's Mass in D major. Background of a sunrise on the poster.

    Add Durham Choral Society presents Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Dvořák's Mass in D major to your Itinerary

    Durham Choral Society presents Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Dvořák's Mass in D major

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    The Durham Choral Society returns to the magnificent setting of Durham Cathedral for an evening of luminous choral music, presenting Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Antonín Dvořák's Mass in D major.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026Open 19:00 - 22:00
    More info for Durham Choral Society presents Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Dvořák's Mass in D major
  3. Durham City Run Festival

    Add Durham City Run Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham City Run Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Durham City

    Ten years after the first Durham City Run in 2016, the 5K and 10K races return to the historic city centre this July!
    Experience a midsummer evening of running around some of Durham’s most iconic historic landmarks, and collect a medal and goody bag…

    Dates

    From:
    16 July 2026to18 July 2026
    More info for Durham City Run Festival
  4. Children attending an event at The Bowes Museum.

    Add Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Step into the world of Vivienne Westwood, the ultimate rule-breaker of fashion, in a family-friendly tour that brings her exhibition to life.

    Dates

    From:
    26 May 2026to27 May 2026
    More info for Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum
  5. 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
  6. Crowds gather in rainbow colours to celebrate Durham Pride.

    Add Durham Pride 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Pride 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Don't miss out on this opportunity to show your support and have a great time with friends and family. See you there!

    Dates

    From:
    30 May 2026
    More info for Durham Pride 2026
  7. 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
  8. Image of a group of people at a Durham Book Festival event who are seated and clapping.

    Durham Book Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Durham Book Festival

    Durham

    The Durham Book Festival takes place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, celebrating the power of the written word.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Oct 2026to11 Oct 2026
    More info for Durham Book Festival 2026
  9. Text reads, 'Quiz Night, Team Solan Quiz, Hosted at Curlew Cafe'.

    Add Charity Quiz Night - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Charity Quiz Night - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Charity event/Fundraiser

    Bishop Auckland

    Quiz Night Hosted by Curlew Café. Come along and join Team Solan for a evening to Quizzing, Great Food, Raffle & Fun.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026Open 18:30 - 22:30
    More info for Charity Quiz Night - High Farm Holiday Park
  10. Public Lecture: Cosmos to Clinic: Towards Personalised Cancer Care inspired by Astrophysics

    Add Cosmos to Clinic: Towards Personalised Cancer Care inspired by Astrophysics to your Itinerary

    Cosmos to Clinic: Towards Personalised Cancer Care inspired by Astrophysics

    Type

    Type:

    Lecture

    South Road, Durham City

    Join us for an exciting in-person event where we dive deep into how the mysteries of the universe are shaping the future of cancer treatment. Discover how cutting-edge astrophysics research fuels breakthroughs in personalised medicine, making…

    Dates

    From:
    5 May 2026Open 18:00 - 19:00
    More info for Cosmos to Clinic: Towards Personalised Cancer Care inspired by Astrophysics
  11. 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
  12. Crowds enjoy show jumping at Weardale Show.

    Add 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    St. Johns Chapel

    The Weardale Show returns on Saturday 29th August 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026
    More info for 156th Weardale Agricultural Show 2026
  13. Scouting for Girls concert poster with image of Durham Cathedral.

    Add Scouting For Girls Live in Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Scouting For Girls Live in Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Scouting For Girls will be performing their greatest hits live in Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2026Open 19:45 - 22:00
    More info for Scouting For Girls Live in Durham Cathedral
  14. 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
  15. Rapunzel written in gold on a purple background.

    Add Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime to your Itinerary

    Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Durham City

    In the dark, tangled forest of Hamsterley stands a mysterious tower, locals swear they can hear beautiful singing drifting through the trees, a voice so pure it stops even the bravest woodcutter in their tracks.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Nov 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. Pints and ponytails, a group of men styling learning to style hair on models.

    Add Pints and Ponytails - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Pints and Ponytails - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Seminar

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Pints & Ponytails: A Quick Guide to styling Hair.

    Dates

    From:
    13 May 2026Open 18:00 - 21:00
    More info for Pints and Ponytails - High Farm Holiday Park
  19. Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Add Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Chester-Le-Street

    Lumley Castle Hotel at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will be the backdrop for Opulence, running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September.

    While the big-name performers are not being unveiled until later this month, organisers have promised it will…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026
    More info for Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel
  20. A bee on a purple flower in a wild flower meadow.

    North Pennines NatureFest

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    North Pennines NatureFest is packed with events that celebrate nature, heritage and the landscape in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to7 June 2026
    More info for North Pennines NatureFest
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