Skip To Main Content

  • Accommodation
    • Don't Miss
      • City Breaks
      • Spa Breaks
      • Dog Friendly
      • Stunning Stays
    • Hotels
    • B&B and Guest Houses
    • Inns & Pubs
    • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages
      • Self Catering Agencies
    • Caravan, Camping & Glamping
    • Hostels
    • Accessible Accommodation
  • Things to Do
    • Don't Miss
      • Binchester Roman Fort
      • Beamish Museum
      • Bishop Auckland Town Hall
      • Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • Crook Hall Gardens
      • Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre
      • Durham Castle Tours
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Durham Cricket
      • Durham Town Hall
      • Durham University Botanic Garden
      • Durham University Oriental Museum
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • Hardwick Park
      • High Force
      • Killhope
      • Kynren- An epic Tale of England
      • Locomotion
      • Palace Green Library
      • Raby Castle
      • Redhills Durham Miners Hall
      • Seaham Harbour Marina
      • The Auckland Project
      • Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery
      • The Bowes Museum
      • Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
      • Wharton Park
    • Attractions
      • Castles & Historic Houses
      • Cathedral & Churches
      • Hands on History
      • Gardens & Parks
      • Family Fun
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Waterfalls & Reservoirs
    • Activities
      • Adventure Activities
      • Cycling
      • Family Fun Activities
      • Festival & Events Organisers
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding
      • Spas
      • Walking
    • Entertainment
      • Cinema
      • Theatre
    • Shopping
      • Antiques
      • Farm Shops & Markets
      • Garden Centres
      • Only in Durham
      • Independent Shops & Boutiques
      • Shopping Centres
    • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides
      • Attraction Tours
      • Tour Guides
      • Scenic Tours
      • Cycling Tours
      • Walking Tours
      • Durham City Guide - Churches, Chapels and Cafes
    • Weddings
      • Historic Wedding Venues
      • Hotel Wedding Venues
      • Wedding Fairs & Events
      • Stag & Hen Party Ideas
      • Wedding Packages
  • What's On
    • What's on this Week
    • Family Events
      • Free Events
      • Festive Fun
      • Twixmas Events
    • 2026 Unmissable Events
    • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events
      • Cinema Venues
      • Theatre Venues
    • Sports
    • Dark Skies Events
    • Food & Drink
    • Exhibitions
  • Food & Drink
    • Don't Miss
      • Bishop’s Kitchen at Auckland Palace
      • Botanic Garden Café
      • Cafe Bowes at The Bowes Museum
      • Durham Dales Centre Tea Room
      • El Castillo
      • Gala Lounge
      • High Force Hotel and Waterfall
      • Hotel Indigo Rotunda Bar
      • Jozef’s Riverside Bar & Restaurant
      • Killhope Lead Mining Museum Cafe and Shop
      • Lumley Castle - Knight's Restaurant
      • Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill
      • Geko at Seaham Hall
      • The Dining Room
      • The Dunes Café
      • The Falls Café at Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • The Garden Gate Café at Crook Hall Gardens
      • The Hamsterley Cafe and Ice Cream Kiosk
      • The Neighbourhood @ Hotel Indigo Durham
      • The Oak Room Restaurant
      • The Tower Cafe
      • The Vinery at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
      • Undercroft Restaurant
      • Ushaw Café
    • Restaurants
    • Tearooms & Coffee Shops
    • Pubs & Bars
    • Get a Taste of Durham
    • Afternoon Tea in Durham
  • Inspire Me
    • Short Break Ideas
      • Classic Christmas
      • Dark Skies
      • Dog Friendly Durham
      • Romantic Getaways
      • Spa Breaks
      • Golf Breaks
      • Weddings
      • City Break
    • Seasonal
      • Spring Breaks
      • Summer Breaks
      • Autumn Breaks
      • Winter Breaks
    • Budget-Friendly Days Out in Durham
    • Explore From Your Door
    • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors
    • Discover Wellness in Durham
    • Go Car Free in Durham
    • Only in Durham
    • Delve Into Our Heritage
    • Durham's Unmissable Highlights
    • Itineraries
  • Explore Durham
    • Durham City
    • Durham Dales
    • Vale of Durham
    • Durham Coast
    • Durham Towns
      • Barnard Castle
      • Bishop Auckland
      • Chester-le-Street
      • Seaham
      • Stanhope
    • North Pennines National Landscape
    • North East England
  • Visitor Information
    • Information Points
    • Maps of Durham
    • Getting to Durham
    • Getting Around Durham
      • Car Hire
      • Taxis
      • Electric Car Charging Points
    • Accessible Durham
    • Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Durham
    • Publications
    • Durham Apps
    • Discover Durham Digitally

Don't Miss

  • A couple looking at High Force Waterfall

    Next Stop, Durham

  • Santa and elves at Raby Castle

    Classic Christmas

  • Durham's 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar

    Durham's Advent Calendar

  • Durham Cathedral and riverbanks in the snow

    Winter Breaks

A German Flag
This is Durham logo
Menu
  • Durham the Culture County logo
  • Print Logo
Close Navigation

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.

Loading..

Number of results:

Number of results: 171

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • Next Next
Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest
  1. Entrance to Dalton Park.

    Add Quiet Shopping Mornings - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors to your Itinerary

    Quiet Shopping Mornings - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors

    Type

    Type:

    Shopping Event

    Murton

    Did you know we host regular Quiet Shopping Mornings every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm and Saturdays from 9,30am to 10,30am all year round?

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Quiet Shopping Mornings - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors
  2. Collabro: The Harmonies Tour. Poster shows half of the faces of four members of the group

    Add Collabro: The Harmonies Tour - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Collabro: The Harmonies Tour - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    The College, Durham

    To celebrate their famous harmonies, the boys are touring the UK's most beautiful cathedrals for stunning, intimate, piano-led concerts.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Feb 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Collabro: The Harmonies Tour - Durham Cathedral
  3. Jack and the Beanstalk logo with cast members

    Add Jack and the Beanstalk - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Jack and the Beanstalk - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Durham City

    Join Jack and his friends as we are transported to a land of magical creatures and a very hungry Giant.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Jack and the Beanstalk - Gala Durham
  4. Illustration of a Masquerade Ball

    Add Eve Valentine's Masquerade Ball - Manor House Hotel & Spa, West Auckland to your Itinerary

    Eve Valentine's Masquerade Ball - Manor House Hotel & Spa, West Auckland

    Type

    Type:

    Valentines Day

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    Step into a night of mystery and thrill at our Eve Valentine's Masquerade Ball, co-hosted by the one and only Dean Midas! This exclusive event is inspired by the chilling, award-winning short slasher films shot in the same building by Dean Midas…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Feb 2026Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for Eve Valentine's Masquerade Ball - Manor House Hotel & Spa, West Auckland
  5. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market
  6. Children playing at The Bowes Museum

    Add Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Time for The Bowes’ youngest visitors to explore and play in the Conversation Gallery, investigate materials and be creative in this self-led, free-play session.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Jan 2025to8 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum
  7. New Year's Eve Party at The Clubhouse poster with fireworks.

    Add Golf Clubhouse New Years Eve - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa to your Itinerary

    Golf Clubhouse New Years Eve - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    New Years Eve

    Durham

    Ring in the new year in style at the Golf Clubhouse with an evening of celebration, sparkle and great company.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Dec 2025
    More info for Golf Clubhouse New Years Eve - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa
  8. Advertising poster with an image of Santa stuck upside down in a chimney and title and date of event.

    Add Operation Save Santa to your Itinerary

    Operation Save Santa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Looking for a Christmas adventure with a difference? Brand new for Christmas 2025 in Durham City Centre 27th Nov - 4th Jan. Durham Escape Rooms has all the answers to make the best experience for the whole family, friends and colleagues this season.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
    More info for Operation Save Santa
  9. Large Christmas Tree at Raby Castle

    Add Raby Castle at Christmas to your Itinerary

    Raby Castle at Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Step back in time to experience a traditional family Christmas at Raby Castle.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    29 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2025
    From:
    2 Jan 2026to4 Jan 2026
    More info for Raby Castle at Christmas
  10. 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:
    2 Jan 2026to4 Jan 2026
    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
  11. 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
  12. Lucy Pringle sitting in a meditative pose. Credit: Chris Parkinson

    Add The Raby Reset: Wellness Foundations at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    The Raby Reset: Wellness Foundations at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Staindrop

    Founded by Lucy, a holistic counsellor, meditation teacher, and reiki practitioner, Guid-ed offers transformative experiences that blend science with spirituality integrating somatic healing, mindset work, breathwork, and energy alignment.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Jan 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    From:
    11 Jan 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    From:
    25 Jan 2026
    More info for The Raby Reset: Wellness Foundations at Raby Castle
  13. 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:
    30 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 14:00
    From:
    11 Jan 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
    From:
    18 Feb 2026Open 17:00 - 19:00
    From:
    8 Mar 2026Open 11:00 - 14:00
    More info for Wedding Open Days - Redworth Hall
  14. 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
  15. Impressionist seascape painting depicting a rocky shoreline with waves crashing against the coast.

    Add Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum is a major partnership between The Bowes Museum and the Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa), Le Havre.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to14 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum
  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 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  17. 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
  18. Crookfest 26. List of bands, and background image of a crowd with their hands in the air.

    Add Crookfest'26 to your Itinerary

    Crookfest'26

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Willington , Crook

    Crook Fest 2026. ​​​​​One day. Three stages. 18 bands.

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026Open 11:30 - 22:30
    More info for Crookfest'26
  19. Chutney trader. Woman looking at stall and holding purse.

    Add Barnard Castle Market to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Barnard Castle

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Wednesday 8.00am to 16.30

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Barnard Castle Market
  20. Orchestra playing in candlelight

    Add Valentines Vivaldi by Candlelight to your Itinerary

    Valentines Vivaldi by Candlelight

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Celebrate Valentine's night with an unforgettable evening of music in one of Durham's most romantic settings. Step into the timeless beauty of Durham Cathedral, the perfect stage for a night of passion and elegance.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Valentines Vivaldi by Candlelight
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • Next Next
Loading..Loading..
  • Enewsletter Sign Up

  • Contact Us

  • Print Page
  • Email Page
Home Accommodation
  • Hotels,
  • B&B and Guest Houses,
  • Inns & Pubs,
  • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages,
  • Caravan, Camping & Glamping,
  • Dog Friendly,
  • Hostels,
Things to Do
  • Attractions,
  • Activities,
  • Shopping,
  • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides,
What's On
  • Family Events,
  • 2026 Unmissable Events,
  • What's on this Week,
  • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events,
  • Dark Skies Events,
Food & Drink
  • Restaurants,
  • Tearooms & Coffee Shops,
  • Pubs & Bars,
  • Get a Taste of Durham,
  • Tasty Places to Stay,
  • Foodie Events,
Inspire Me
  • Short Break Ideas,
  • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors,
  • Delve Into Our Heritage,
  • Durham's Unmissable Highlights,
  • Itineraries,
Explore Durham
  • Durham City,
  • Durham Dales,
  • Vale of Durham,
  • Durham Coast,
  • Durham Towns,
  • North East England,
Visitor Information
  • Information Points,
  • Maps of Durham,
  • Getting to Durham,
  • Getting Around Durham,
  • Accessible Durham,
  • Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Durham,
  • Publications,
Submit Event
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Submit Event
  • Terms & Conditions

© Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved

Registered Office: Visit County Durham, East Wing, 1st Floor, Corten House, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TS

  • North East England logo

Ratings & Reviews

Powered By

tripadvisor

  • Durham County Council