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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. coloured painting of the Manor House in the snow with a Christmas Tree in cartoon style

    Add Mistletoe, Misery & Murder - Murder Mystery to your Itinerary

    Mistletoe, Misery & Murder - Murder Mystery

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    West Auckland

    Step into the glitz and glam of the Roaring Twenties for a festive night of flappers, fedoras, and foul play.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2025Open 19:00 - 23:45
    More info for Mistletoe, Misery & Murder - Murder Mystery
  2. The decorated Throne Room at Auckland Palace

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

    Christmas at the 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 the Palace - The Auckland Project
  3. Crook Hall gardens

    Add Live Music at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Live Music at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event

    Local musicians Julie and William bring an extra dimension to the historic gardens and hall with live performances on the third Monday of each month.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Feb 2025to20 Oct 2025
    More info for Live Music at Crook Hall Gardens
  4. Two people sawing a log - Beamish Museum

    Add Home Front, Home Farm 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Home Front, Home Farm 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Visit our 1940s Farm to learn about life in the British countryside during the Second World War.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025to21 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Home Front, Home Farm 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  5. Jim Smith holding a lamb

    Add Jim Smith "Prime Cuts" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Jim Smith "Prime Cuts" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Jim Smith is one of Scotland's most beloved farming comedians, bringing his unique blend of rural humour and sharp storytelling to audiences across the country.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Jim Smith "Prime Cuts" - The Witham
  6. Group of people taking part in a creative workshop at No. 42 - The Auckland Project

    Add No.42 - Creative Forum - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    No.42 - Creative Forum - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Bishop Auckland

    An adult group for like-minded creatives. Every Wednesday.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for No.42 - Creative Forum - The Auckland Project
  7. A woman in a purple shirt with a speech bubble that says, 'Honestly, A New Play About Lying All True, except the bits that aren't'

    Add Honestly - Everyman Theatre to your Itinerary

    Honestly - Everyman Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Spennymoor Settlement, Spennymoor

    Honestly, a new play about a compulsive liar, is coming to the Everyman Theatre at Spennymoor Settlement on Friday 10th October.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2025Open 19:30 - 22:00
    More info for Honestly - Everyman Theatre
  8. A starry night's sky. Image by AstroVentures

    Add Stargazing for Beginners - North Pennines Stargazing Festival to your Itinerary

    Stargazing for Beginners - North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Old School House, Allenheads

    Ever wanted to explore the night sky but didn’t know where to start? Fortunately the team at Allenheads Observatory will guide you step-by-step under one of the country’s darkest skies – no prior knowledge needed.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2025Open 20:00 - 22:00
    More info for Stargazing for Beginners - North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  9. A family posing next to a traditional car at Beamish Museum.

    Add Home Educators' Day September 2025 to your Itinerary

    Home Educators' Day September 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Our next Home Educators’ Day takes place on Tuesday, 9th September 2025. There are a range of bookable workshops and drop-in activities for you to try during your visit.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Sept 2025
    More info for Home Educators' Day September 2025
  10. Luke James Williams & George Boomsma

    Add Luke James Williams & George Boomsma - Claypath Delicatessen to your Itinerary

    Luke James Williams & George Boomsma - Claypath Delicatessen

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham

    George Boomsma has appeared at the Cambridge Folk Festival in the UK and the Port Fairy Folk Festival in Australia. Known for creating an intimate atmosphere in his live performances, his shows are a captivating experience—his pure, resonant voice…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025Open 18:30 - 21:00
    More info for Luke James Williams & George Boomsma - Claypath Delicatessen
  11. Two trains parked up in a station

    Add S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    The exhibition will feature the winning entries from a competition to find the UK’s most promising young railway photographers.

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion
  12. Josef's restaurant at the Radisson Blu Durham

    Add Family Santa Sunday Lunch to your Itinerary

    Family Santa Sunday Lunch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    A relaxed family-friendly atmosphere, delicious food and a visit from the main man himself – Santa Claus will be delivering a selection box for the kids!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    More info for Family Santa Sunday Lunch
  13. Arrangement of white flowers around a circular frame

    Add Cestrian Flower Club to your Itinerary

    Cestrian Flower Club

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Chester-le-Street

    Flower arranging demonstration by Julia Louden.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2025Open 18:45 - 21:30
    More info for Cestrian Flower Club
  14. Kepier Hospital in Durham City

    Add Heritage Open Days - Kepier Hospital and Loggia to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Kepier Hospital and Loggia

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Kepier Lane, Durham City

    Guided tour with Martin Roberts of the Grade I and II * listed buildings and scheduled ancient monument of the medieval hospital at Kepier, once the richest in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Sept 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Kepier Hospital and Loggia
  15. Painting of Old Locomotive Engine Wylam Coll from the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University

    Add S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    This special exhibition explores the inextricable link between coal mining and the railways.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution
  16. Deer in the park Jake Eastham

    Add Deer Park Safari - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Deer Park Safari - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Adventure Activities

    Staindrop

    Enjoy a scenic tour of Raby Castle's extensive Deer Park, guided by a knowledgeable ranger who will share fascinating insights about the deer and the park's history.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Sept 2025Open 10:30 -
    From:
    22 Oct 2025Open 10:30 -
    More info for Deer Park Safari - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  17. HOD

    Add Heritage Open Days: St Andrew's Church to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days: St Andrew's Church

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Seaham

    St Andrews Church has some unique features dating back to Anglo-Saxon origins. It is situated in an ancient village which has a diverse history starting with a reference by the Venerable Bede.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days: St Andrew's Church
  18. A couple embracing on their wedding day at  The Manor House Hotel and Spa

    Add Showcase Events - The Manor House Hotel & Spa to your Itinerary

    Showcase Events - The Manor House Hotel & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Wedding Fairs and Events

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    You are invited to attend our showcase events, where you will be able to experience the Manor Houses charm and energy, dressed using our own table decorations, blossom trees, candelabras and chivari sashed chairs so you can imagine your becoming a…

    Dates

    From:
    9 Oct 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    13 Nov 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    More info for Showcase Events - The Manor House Hotel & Spa
  19. A Skiffle group of two adults and two children in front of Beamish Museum's 1950s Welfare Hall.

    Add Skiffle Session & Uke Club - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Skiffle Session & Uke Club - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Beamish

    Join us for an afternoon of skiffle music in the 1950s welfare hall! Enjoy our own band, Hop, Skiffle and Jump performing from 12pm until 1pm, followed by our Uke Club from 1.15pm until 2.15pm where you can develop your ukulele skills.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Sept 2025Open 12:00 - 14:15
    From:
    26 Oct 2025Open 12:00 - 14:15
    From:
    30 Nov 2025Open 12:00 - 14:15
    From:
    28 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 14:15
    More info for Skiffle Session & Uke Club - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  20. Golden sculpture

    Add LGBTQIA+ Tour to your Itinerary

    LGBTQIA+ Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Explore the Bowes’ collection in a captivating new tour for 2025, highlighting a selection of objects and artworks with LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) stories spanning from Ancient Greece to the 20th…

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2025Open 15:00 - 15:30
    From:
    31 Oct 2025Open 15:00 - 15:30
    From:
    28 Nov 2025Open 15:00 - 15:30
    More info for LGBTQIA+ Tour
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