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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. Kevin Morgan FRCO at the Wurlitzer theatre organ

    Add Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with Phil Kelsall MBE from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool to your Itinerary

    Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with Phil Kelsall MBE from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    Resident organist of the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool, PHIL KELSALL MBE, plays a concert of favourite music at the mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the New Victoria Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with Phil Kelsall MBE from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool
  2. People wearing gloves, and mixing purple bath bombs at Lanchester Garden Centre.

    Add Children's Easter Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Children's Easter Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Lanchester

    Easter Bath Bomb Workshop – Creative Fun for Kids!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Apr 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    More info for Children's Easter Bath Bomb Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  3. A Guided Bluebell Walk. A bluebell wood at Raby Castle.

    Add A Guided Bluebell Walk to your Itinerary

    A Guided Bluebell Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Staindrop

    Experience the enchanting beauty of spring with the Bluebell Walk at Raby Castle. Hike uphill through the castle's picturesque woodlands, where vibrant carpets of bluebells create a breathtaking natural display.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Apr 2026to10 May 2026
    More info for A Guided Bluebell Walk
  4. 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
  5. customers next to nick-nacks and jewellery market stall

    Add Stanley Market to your Itinerary

    Stanley Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Stanley

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday and Saturday 8.00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Stanley Market
  6. Susan Gray ‘Then There’s Trust’ - March is Women’s History Month, Women of the Northeast: Past, Present and Future. Consett Library, 21st March 2026.

    Add Susan Gray ‘Then There’s Trust’ - Women of the Northeast: Past, Present and Future to your Itinerary

    Susan Gray ‘Then There’s Trust’ - Women of the Northeast: Past, Present and Future

    Type

    Type:

    International Womens Day

    Consett

    Join local author Susan Gray for the launch of her new book. Discover how the strong business ethic of the women in her family’s history, helped to inspire her characters and plotlines. Susan will talk about determination, overcoming adversity, the…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Mar 2026Open 10:30 -
    More info for Susan Gray ‘Then There’s Trust’ - Women of the Northeast: Past, Present and Future
  7. A painting of a historical stage production.

    Add Remaking Memories Together - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Remaking Memories Together - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    A community-centred art project, Remaking Memories Together celebrates special places across County Durham, exploring how shared memories, creativity and storytelling can strengthen connections between people and place.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Mar 2026
    More info for Remaking Memories Together - The Bowes Museum
  8. 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 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Barnard Castle Market
  9. Two children in The Plotters' Forest pointing to a dragon hatching from an egg at Raby Castle.

    Add The Plotters' Forest Dragon Quest - Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    The Plotters' Forest Dragon Quest - Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Staindrop

    February Half Term Fun at The Plotters’ Forest Adventure Playground.

    Step into a world of wonder on our brand-new Dragon Quest, weaved amongst the winding paths of our Christmas tree plantation. This family-friendly adventure invites little…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to29 Mar 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Plotters' Forest Dragon Quest - Raby Castle
  10. Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre

    Add Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    A man and a woman alone in a room. Four times over. What will we get?

    Dates

    From:
    19 Apr 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    20 Apr 2026to24 Apr 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    25 Apr 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Duets by Peter Quilter - The City Theatre
  11. A Witch and a cat riding a broom.  Room on the Broom © 2001 Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

    Add Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Redford, Hamsterley Forest

    This interactive family trail is packed with Room on the Broom themed activities, fascinating forest facts and plenty of hands-on fun. 

    Dates

    From:
    28 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Room on the Broom Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  12. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham city.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Between 29th July and 2nd August 2026, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts.  Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and…

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival 2026
  13. The Lucky Pot O'Gold Men at Walkergate

    Add St Patrick's Day at Walkergate Durham to your Itinerary

    St Patrick's Day at Walkergate Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Durham City

    This year, the St Paddy's celebrations will descend on Walkergate on Saturday 14th March from 12pm-5pm, just in time for the Six Nations 2026 Super Saturday!

    Dates

    From:
    14 Mar 2026Open 12:00 - 17:00
    More info for St Patrick's Day at Walkergate Durham
  14. Crook Hall

    Add World Book Day trail: February half term at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    World Book Day trail: February half term at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Step into a world of stories this February half term at Crook Hall Gardens. Unlock secrets hidden among the pages of your favourite books and become the hero of your own adventure. Every twist in the path brings a new challenge along this self-led…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026to8 Mar 2026
    More info for World Book Day trail: February half term at Crook Hall Gardens
  15. 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
  16. 1900s Pit Village band hall

    Add Beamish Folk - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Beamish Folk - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Beamish

    Beamish Folk is a new folk music session taking place on the second Sunday of each month in our 1900s Pit Village band hall, 11.30am-1.30pm.

    Dates

    From:
    8 Mar 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    12 Apr 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    10 May 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    14 June 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    12 July 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    9 Aug 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    13 Sept 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    11 Oct 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    8 Nov 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 11:30 - 13:30
    More info for Beamish Folk - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  17. outer space galaxy

    North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is returning for 2026 – running between Friday 16 October and Sunday 1 November.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026
  18. Guided walk in Wolsingham: a group of walkers and a dog on a scenic woodland trail.

    Add Free Monthly Guided Walks - Wolsingham to your Itinerary

    Free Monthly Guided Walks - Wolsingham

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland

    Our monthly guided walks take place on the 2nd Saturday of every month leaving Wolsingham Town Hall in the Market Place at 10am.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026to12 Dec 2026
    More info for Free Monthly Guided Walks - Wolsingham
  19. Andy Zaltzman

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Following a sell-out 2024/2025 national run, Andy Zaltzman – host of The Bugle podcast and BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, statistician on Test Match Special, and champion of Taskmaster series 18 – extends his hit tour into 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Andy Zaltzman - The Zaltgeist 2026 – A Second Thwack
  20. Shoppers on Church Street, Seaham at Seaham Seaside Market

    Add Seaham Seaside Market to your Itinerary

    Seaham Seaside Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Seaham

    Seaham Seaside Market is a weekly market held every Friday.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Seaham Seaside Market
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