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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. Audience watching the spectacular fireworks display from the arena: Pyromusical 2024

    Add Pyromusical - Kynren 2025 to your Itinerary

    Pyromusical - Kynren 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Toronto, Bishop Auckland

    Join us for the seventh edition of our sensational Pyromusical on Saturday, 1st November 2025.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2025Open 19:00 -
    More info for Pyromusical - Kynren 2025
  2. A festive scene inside a Christmas bauble.

    Add 'Twas The Night Before Christmas to your Itinerary

    'Twas The Night Before Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Annfield Plain

    Innominata choir present "Twas a Night before Christmas" to include Christmas Cantata by Oliver Tarney, Carols by Peter Warlock, Sarah Quartel and Bob Chilcot and traditional carols for choir and audience.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 18:30 - 20:30
    More info for 'Twas The Night Before Christmas
  3. The Milky Way Galaxy

    Add Astronomy and Stargazing - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Astronomy and Stargazing - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    ​​​​​The event will begin with a personal welcome from our astronomer, Gary Fildes. Gary is a very experienced science communicator and astronomer, and founder of the Kielder Observatory, where he was Director and CEO for over 11 years.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Oct 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    1 Nov 2025to2 Nov 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    5 Nov 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    7 Nov 2025to9 Nov 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    28 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    5 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Astronomy and Stargazing - Grassholme Observatory
  4. Gary Delaney

    Add Gary Delaney "Work In Progress" to your Itinerary

    Gary Delaney "Work In Progress"

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    See Gary’s new jokes months before your friends and family do!

    Dates

    From:
    2 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Gary Delaney "Work In Progress"
  5. The Darling Dollies posing for a photo in red vintage dresses with vintage hair and makeup.

    Add The Darling Dollies with Afternoon Tea - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    The Darling Dollies with Afternoon Tea - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Step into vintage glamour and festive cheer with an Afternoon Tea with the sensational Darling Dollies! Enjoy delicious treats and sparkling tunes as they perform classic Christmas  favourites and selections from their signature repertoire, all…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 13:00 - 15:45
    From:
    20 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025Open 13:00 - 15:45
    More info for The Darling Dollies with Afternoon Tea - Lumley Castle Hotel
  6. Silent Deadly Night with a spooky black and white image of Beamish Hall

    Add Murder Mystery at Beamish Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Murder Mystery at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    In a mansion full of secret passageways and hidden surprises, the game to uncover the truth begins.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 23:00
    More info for Murder Mystery at Beamish Hall Hotel
  7. 3 performers with colourful braids and clothing. 90s Fallen Angels.

    Add 90s Fallen Angels Festive Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    90s Fallen Angels Festive Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Relive the best of the 90s with Fallen Angels. Expect powerhouse vocals, polished choreography, and a soundtrack of dancefloor fillers, club classics, and unforgettable anthems. A high-energy party night designed to get everyone up and moving.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2025to20 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for 90s Fallen Angels Festive Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel
  8. Two people dressed as characters from Wicked

    Add Children's "Good" or "Wicked" Halloween Party to your Itinerary

    Children's "Good" or "Wicked" Halloween Party

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Lanchester

    Halloween just wouldn't be the same without a Halloween Party at Lanchester Garden Centre!

    Dates

    From:
    30 Oct 2025Open 17:00 - 18:30
    More info for Children's "Good" or "Wicked" Halloween Party
  9. The organ in St Peter's Chapel  at Auckland Palace

    Add Organ Recital Series at Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    Organ Recital Series at Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Bishop Auckland

    The popular Organ Recital Series returns to St Peter’s Chapel.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 13:00 - 14:00
    More info for Organ Recital Series at Auckland Palace
  10. A handmade wreath with red berries and baubles.

    Add Christmas Wreath Workshop - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Christmas Wreath Workshop - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Immerse yourself in creativity and Christmas Joy as you learn step by step how to create luxurious festive wreaths to proudly display on your door. 

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2025Open 18:00 - 21:00
    From:
    30 Nov 2025Open 12:00 - 15:00
    From:
    6 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Christmas Wreath Workshop - Lumley Castle Hotel
  11. Mother Goose logo, written in gold with the Os shaped as golden eggs

    Add Mother Goose to your Itinerary

    Mother Goose

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Chester-le-Street

    Mother Goose and her son Silly Billy are down on their luck, practically penniless with only Pricilla the Goose to their name until one day, a golden spell makes them EGG-straordinarily rich!

    Dates

    From:
    15 Jan 2026to18 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Mother Goose
  12. Colourful abstract art by Tom Hume

    Add Tom Hume: Retrospective - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tom Hume: Retrospective - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    The first comprehensive exhibition of the work of Tom Hume, a Durham-based artist and art teacher.

    Dates

    From:
    8 Nov 2025to31 Jan 2026
    More info for Tom Hume: Retrospective - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  13. Painting of Robert Burns in front of the Scottish Flag.

    Add Burns Night Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Burns Night Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Join us for a lively Burns Night Banquet, celebrating Scottish tradition with a four-course meal which includes haggis, a goblet of red wine, a goblet of mead, and a dram of whisky per guest. 

    Dates

    From:
    23 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 01:00
    More info for Burns Night Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel
  14. Illustration of a gameshow host and captions such as, 'Strictly Can't Dance', 'Play Your Cards Right', 'Don't Forget The Lyrics' and 'Lip Sync Battle'

    Add Game Show Takeaway Festive Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa to your Itinerary

    Game Show Takeaway Festive Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get ready for a festive party like no other with the Game Show Takeaway! Expect classic games, audience participation, prizes and a generous helping of food, fun and festive cheer. A brilliant night out for friends, colleagues or your Christmas crew…

    Dates

    From:
    11 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for Game Show Takeaway Festive Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa
  15. Adults and children attending the St Nicholas service at Durham Cathedral

    Add Children's Lantern Parade and Saint Nicholas' Service at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Children's Lantern Parade and Saint Nicholas' Service at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Build excitement for the Christmas season with a lantern procession from the Market Place to the cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 15:30 -
    More info for Children's Lantern Parade and Saint Nicholas' Service at Durham Cathedral
  16. The decorated Throne Room at Auckland Palace

    Add Christmas at Auckland Palace - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Christmas at Auckland Palace - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Market Place, Bishop Auckland

    Immerse yourself in unrivalled festive splendour when you visit Auckland Palace's very special Christmas event.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Christmas at Auckland Palace - The Auckland Project
  17. Table set for Christmas Day lunch with two glasses of champagne at the Radisson Blu Durham

    Add Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant to your Itinerary

    Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Following the excitement of Christmas Day morning, come together with family and friends, and let the Radisson Blu Durham do all the hard work for you to celebrate your Christmas Day in style.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant
  18. A small child looking at a skeleton on the Plotters' Forest Halloween trail

    Add Halloween Tiny Terrors Trail at The Plotters' Forest - Raby Castle Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Halloween Tiny Terrors Trail at The Plotters' Forest - Raby Castle Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Staindrop

    Join us for a spooktacular Halloween adventure at The Plotters’ Forest!

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2025to2 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Halloween Tiny Terrors Trail at The Plotters' Forest - Raby Castle Park and Gardens
  19. A wreath make from fused glass, various colours of green.

    Add Fused Glass Winter Wreath Workshop (and warming winter refreshments) to your Itinerary

    Fused Glass Winter Wreath Workshop (and warming winter refreshments)

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    During this workshop you will be creating a beautiful festive wreath with hanging decoration.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 13:00
    More info for Fused Glass Winter Wreath Workshop (and warming winter refreshments)
  20. images of the lord crewe, dusted in snow, 3 beeswax candes and a christmas wreath in burgundy and green

    Add Blanchland Artisan Christmas Makers Market to your Itinerary

    Blanchland Artisan Christmas Makers Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Blanchland, Consett

    Discover the magic of the holiday season at the enchanting Christmas Artisan Market in Blanchland.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Blanchland Artisan Christmas Makers Market
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