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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. 4 festive people in the snow, in an illustrated style, with the font 'Camp as Christmas Cabaret' underneath

    Add Camp as Christmas - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Camp as Christmas - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Flass Street, Durham

    A seasonally unseasonal celebration of holiday nonsense. Surprise festival guests treat you to specially-chosen Christmas classics. There might be presents under the tree for good little girls and boys. There might be drag queens. If he’s not too…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026Open 20:00 - 22:30
    More info for Camp as Christmas - Durham Folk Festival
  2. Four folk musicians on the 'Magic Lantern' stage.

    Add Family Festival Performances - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Family Festival Performances - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Our free family festival became a highlight during our time in Hartlepool.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 10:30 - 11:00
    More info for Family Festival Performances - Durham Folk Festival
  3. Christopher Eccleston and Jo Clement on a blue background surrounded by books.

    Add The Working Class Library on Tony Harrison with Special Guest Christopher Eccleston - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    The Working Class Library on Tony Harrison with Special Guest Christopher Eccleston - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Award-winning actor Christopher Eccleston joins hosts of the Working Class Library podcast, Richard Benson, editor of The Bee, and Claire Malcolm, CEO of New Writing North, to discuss the legacy of the renowned poet Tony Harrison, in a special live…

    Dates

    From:
    11 Oct 2026Open 17:00 - 18:00
    More info for The Working Class Library on Tony Harrison with Special Guest Christopher Eccleston - Durham Book Festival
  4. A historic stone room with low curved ceilings and fairy lights

    Add Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle to your Itinerary

    Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Seated on wooden benches, at wooden tables in the Castles Baronial Hall. A 5-course feast is served with mead & wine, whilst being entertained by Ladies of the court, Court Chamberlain & Herald, with musicians, all in traditional costume.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle
  5. 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
  6. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add High Spen Blue Diamonds Centenary - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    High Spen Blue Diamonds Centenary - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Flass Street, Durham

    High Spen Blue Diamonds: A Century of Rapper

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for High Spen Blue Diamonds Centenary - Durham Folk Festival
  7. The mighty wurlitzer, an ornate piano- like instrument with a burgundy curtain in the background

    Add Heritage Open Days - "Mighty" Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - "Mighty" Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Howden Le Wear, Crook

    See & hear the North East's only 'Mighty Wurlitzer' theatre pipe organ (one of UK's largest). The theatre organ was part of the 'Everyday History' of our society last century - find how it was used & look inside the workings of this amazing machine!

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - "Mighty" Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ
  8. Four folk musicians on the 'Magic Lantern' stage.

    Add The Magic Lantern - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    The Magic Lantern - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    In the centre of it all is The Magic Lantern, a caravan of wonder that travels the land with its crew of storytellers, musicians and shadow puppeteers - telling and collecting stories, bringing laughter, and creating unforgettable moments.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 19:30 - 20:00
    More info for The Magic Lantern - Durham Folk Festival
  9. Images of farm yard animals, tractors and flowers

    Add 150th Eggleston Agricultural Show! - Hayberries Farm to your Itinerary

    150th Eggleston Agricultural Show! - Hayberries Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Barnard Castle

    We're celebrating the 150th Eggleston Agricultural Show. We've got a fun-packed day planned for everyone, so make sure you turn up nice and early.
    Gates open to the public at 9am. A country show with something for everyone of all ages, from the…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 09:00 - 18:00
    More info for 150th Eggleston Agricultural Show! - Hayberries Farm
  10. Landscape view of Raby Castle with the open starry sky

    Add Stargazing at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Stargazing at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Darlington

    History Meets The Heavens. Step Into the Past… and Look to the Stars. Experience the magic of the night sky in one of the North East’s most iconic settings. Set within the historic grounds of Raby Castle, this unique stargazing event pairs centuries…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026
    From:
    12 Dec 2026
    From:
    9 Jan 2027
    From:
    13 Feb 2027
    More info for Stargazing at Raby Castle - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  11. A child sitting on the ground toasting marshmallows, supervised by an adult - Forest School activities at St Johns Hall Meadowfield.

    Add Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield to your Itinerary

    Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Meadowfield

    Forest school for primary age.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield
  12. A man playing a classical guitar, seated against a plain, warm-toned background. The man wears a dark suit, focusing on his fingers.

    Add Juan Martín Masterclass - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Juan Martín Masterclass - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Master Class

    Barnard Castle

    Aspiring flamenco players can take advantage of an opportunity to spend time with one of the world's guitar greats.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 10:30 - 12:30
    More info for Juan Martín Masterclass - The Bowes Museum
  13. A group of people sit on hay bales inside a barn while a speaker gives an astronomy presentation beside a projected image.

    Add Star Camp - North Pennines Star Gazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Star Camp - North Pennines Star Gazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Cotherstone

    Join the Star Camp for an astronomical weekend in Teesdale. The camp is perfect for novice astronomers and is great for adults and children (6+ years).

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026Open 19:00 - 10:00
    More info for Star Camp - North Pennines Star Gazing Festival
  14. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Introduction to the Uilleann Pipes - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Introduction to the Uilleann Pipes - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Market Place, Durham

    If you've ever fancied learning the traditional Irish pipes, this is a fantastic first step.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 11:30 - 12:30
    More info for Introduction to the Uilleann Pipes - Durham Folk Festival
  15. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Voices from the Tradition - Sunday - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Voices from the Tradition - Sunday - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Flass Street, Durham

    Featuring Seb Stone, Ruth & Sadie Price, Rosie Stewart and Graham Pirt

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 12:00 - 13:30
    More info for Voices from the Tradition - Sunday - Durham Folk Festival
  16. Old photo of Peter Reid and Kevin Phillips looking off to the right and celebrating with their arms up

    Add Sunderland Legends: Peter Reid & Kevin Phillips - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Sunderland Legends: Peter Reid & Kevin Phillips - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham

    Join us for an audience with Sunderland Legends Peter Reid and Kevin Phillips.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Sept 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Sunderland Legends: Peter Reid & Kevin Phillips - Gala Durham
  17. Stargazing Supper | A moment for the moon

    Add Stargazing Supper | A moment for the moon - High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Stargazing Supper | A moment for the moon - High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Forest in Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    A Specialist Lunar Experience at High Force limited to hotel guests only, designed for those who want to learn a deeper understanding into the dark sky.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2026Open 21:30 - 23:00
    More info for Stargazing Supper | A moment for the moon - High Force Hotel and Waterfall
  18. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Angeline Morrison, Macdara Yeates, Seb Stone - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Angeline Morrison, Macdara Yeates, Seb Stone - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Recently hailed as one of MOJO's 'voices taking folk into the future', Angeline Morrison is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who explores traditional song with a deep love, respect and curiosity. Her album 'The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 15:30 - 18:30
    More info for Angeline Morrison, Macdara Yeates, Seb Stone - Durham Folk Festival
  19. Jonathan Eyre at the Wurlitzer Organ

    Add NETOA Christmas Concert with Jonathan Eyre FRCO at the Wurlitzer Organ to your Itinerary

    NETOA Christmas Concert with Jonathan Eyre FRCO at the Wurlitzer Organ

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    JONATHAN EYRE plays a concert of Christmas music including Carols, etc. at the mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for NETOA Christmas Concert with Jonathan Eyre FRCO at the Wurlitzer Organ
  20. Four people sat on a stone wall in the woods, holding folk instruments and wearing black and red coats. The text 'Windborne' underneath.

    Add Songs and Harmony with Windborne - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Songs and Harmony with Windborne - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    A rare opportunity to sing with Windborne, the award-winning folk a cappella quartet from the USA, in the beautiful acoustic environment of Durham Town Hall. Songs and harmonies taught by ear, no experience necessary.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Songs and Harmony with Windborne - Durham Folk Festival
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