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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. 2 tables, banquet style, beautifully decorated for a wedding.

    Add Wedding Open Days - Redworth Hall to your Itinerary

    Wedding Open Days - Redworth Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Wedding Fairs and Events

    Newton Aycliffe

    Join us at Redworth Hall Hotel in County Durham for one of our wedding open days, the perfect chance to explore our stunning spaces, meet our expert team, and start shaping your celebration.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026Open 17:00 - 19:00
    From:
    8 Mar 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
    More info for Wedding Open Days - Redworth Hall
  2. Founders of For the Love of the North Paul and Lucy Hull stand hand-in-hand beside an old stone wall and a vintage signpost in a quaint village.

    Add Front Row Talks: Paul and Lucy Hull - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Front Row Talks: Paul and Lucy Hull - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Barnard Castle

    Just like The Bowes Museum, For the Love of the North celebrates artists, designers and makers. Join Paul and Lucy Hull for an inspiring talk on supporting Northern creatives and how thoughtful design can deepen our connections with the places we…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Mar 2026Open 14:30 - 15:30
    More info for Front Row Talks: Paul and Lucy Hull - The Bowes Museum
  3. Gary Delaney

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gary Delaney - Work In Progress to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gary Delaney - Work In Progress

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Gary tries out material just ahead of his UK tour.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gary Delaney - Work In Progress
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Crowds of people at Seaham Food Festival

    Add Seaham Food Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Seaham Food Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Seaham

    The festival welcomes thousands of visitors each year for two days of sun, sea, family fun and, of course, food. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Seaham Food Festival 2026
  7. 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
  8. Ken Bradshaw

    Add Six Prince Bishops and What Did They Do for Durham? Ken Bradshaw to your Itinerary

    Six Prince Bishops and What Did They Do for Durham? Ken Bradshaw

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Durham

    A meander through Durham’s medieval city looking at the huge influence of the Kings of Northern England. We look at Pudsey, Tunstall, Van Mildert, Flambard, Cosin and Barrington.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Mar 2026Open 11:30 -
    More info for Six Prince Bishops and What Did They Do for Durham? Ken Bradshaw
  9. ©TheBowesMuseum
A structure in front of the trees with the words, 'You Create What You Will'.

    Add Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    For the first time together, The Bowes Museum hosts Nathan Coley’s works, You Create What You Will (2014) and Tate Modern on Fire (2017).

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum
  10. 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!
  11. Wedding Showcase Bowburn Hall Hotel. 
Background of poster shows a room at Bowburn Hall Hotel set for a wedding reception.

    Add Wedding Showcase - Bowburn Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Wedding Showcase - Bowburn Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Wedding Fairs and Events

    Durham

    Begin your happily ever after at Bowburn Hall Hotel and let all of the stress slide away as you celebrate the most precious day of your life with us.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 12:00 - 16:00
    More info for Wedding Showcase - Bowburn Hall Hotel
  12. Rob Rouse

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy:  Rob Rouse - Funny Bones to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Rob Rouse - Funny Bones

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Star of BBC's Upstart Crow, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Friday Night Project and Dave's One Night Stand.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Rob Rouse - Funny Bones
  13. Abstract colourful background with 'Fever presents Candlelight' in the foreground.

    Add Candlelight: Tribute to Ed Sheeran - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Candlelight: Tribute to Ed Sheeran - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to Durham Cathedral. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Ed Sheeran under the gentle glow of candlelight.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Jan 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Candlelight: Tribute to Ed Sheeran - Durham Cathedral
  14. Exterior view of St. Brandon's Church.

    Add Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico to your Itinerary

    Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    For their traditional summer concert, the Durham Singers are taking their audiences on a sunny trip to South America. The festive theme for the concert comes from Mexican rhythms and colours of traditional and contemporary choral music.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico
  15. Man with flowers at Durham City Farmers' Market

    Add Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market to your Itinerary

    Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Durham city

    Durham’s Food Producers’ and Crafters’ Market is now on the first Thursday of each month – open from 9am until 4.30pm, or until stock has sold out.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market
  16. 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
  17. Peter Miskin showing a guest how to prepare seafood.

    Add Seafood Masterclass with Executive Chef Peter Miskin to your Itinerary

    Seafood Masterclass with Executive Chef Peter Miskin

    Type

    Type:

    Master Class

    Stanley

    Learn to prepare, cook, and enjoy the finest seafood, with Executive Chef, Peter Miskin...

    Discover the secrets of preparing and cooking the finest seafood in this exclusive hands-on masterclass at South Causey Inn, led by our Executive Chef, Peter…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Jan 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Seafood Masterclass with Executive Chef Peter Miskin
  18. Closeup of Ken Bradshaw smiling.

    Add Five Stations of Durham - Ken Bradshaw to your Itinerary

    Five Stations of Durham - Ken Bradshaw

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Durham

    Join me as we delve into the railway history uncovering 5 locations where the train was king. Whilst everyone knows where the current station is not everyone knows the 4 other stations!

    Dates

    From:
    17 Jan 2026Open 11:30 -
    More info for Five Stations of Durham - Ken Bradshaw
  19. stars in sky by High Force Hotel

    Add Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Dark Skies

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    Discover the magnificence of the night sky with an exciting stargazing experience at the breath-taking High Force Waterfall in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2026to15 Feb 2026
    From:
    20 Feb 2026to21 Feb 2026
    From:
    27 Feb 2026to28 Feb 2026
    From:
    13 Mar 2026to14 Mar 2026
    From:
    19 Mar 2026to21 Mar 2026
    From:
    27 Mar 2026to28 Mar 2026
    More info for Stargazing Suppers - High Force Hotel and Waterfall
  20. 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"
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