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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. 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 – he did not seek simply to record details of the mining industry but expressed…

    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
  2. A group of performers singing.

    Add Ensemble 84 to your Itinerary

    Ensemble 84

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Peterlee

    Shakespeare - 28th May to 6th June followed by Pits, People and Players - 9th to 13th June, 125 years of Horden's history.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026to6 June 2026
    From:
    9 June 2026to13 June 2026
    More info for Ensemble 84
  3. Celebrations at the Toffee Factory front book cover.

    Add Celebrations at the Toffee Factory book launch at The Lambton Arms to your Itinerary

    Celebrations at the Toffee Factory book launch at The Lambton Arms

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Chester-le-Street

    Join bestselling author Glenda Young for the book launch of the final book in the Horner's Toffee Factory and Dainty Dinah trilogy.

    Dates

    From:
    6 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Celebrations at the Toffee Factory book launch at The Lambton Arms
  4. Scouting for Girls concert poster with image of Durham Cathedral.

    Add Scouting For Girls Live in Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Scouting For Girls Live in Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Scouting For Girls will be performing their greatest hits live in Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2026Open 19:45 - 22:00
    More info for Scouting For Girls Live in Durham Cathedral
  5. Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa exterior view of entrance. Logo celebrating their 25th Anniversary top right.

    Add 25 Years in the Making - A Celebration, Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa to your Itinerary

    25 Years in the Making - A Celebration, Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Seaham

    This year, Seaham Hall celebrates 25 years as one of the UK’s most iconic five-star hotel and spa destinations. Our 25 Years in the Making celebrations will honour the people, moments, and memories that shaped Seaham Hall—and we invite you to be…

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026
    More info for 25 Years in the Making - A Celebration, Seaham Hall and Serenity Spa
  6. Image of a group of people at a Durham Book Festival event who are seated and clapping.

    Durham Book Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Durham Book Festival

    Durham

    The Durham Book Festival takes place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 October, celebrating the power of the written word.

    Dates

    From:
    9 Oct 2026to11 Oct 2026
    More info for Durham Book Festival 2026
  7. Murdered to Death by Peter Gordon. 27th September - 3rd October 2026.

    Add Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon - A Comedy - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon - A Comedy - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    A spoof Miss Marple set in a country mansion.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    28 Sept 2026to2 Oct 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    3 Oct 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon - A Comedy - The City Theatre
  8. Miss Rachel waving at the camera, wearing dungarees and a pink t shirt.

    Add Miss Rachel "Down on the Farm" Breakfast to your Itinerary

    Miss Rachel "Down on the Farm" Breakfast

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us for a delicious cooked breakfast, fun and photos at our  breakfast with Miss. Rachel event.

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2026Open 09:00 - 10:30
    More info for Miss Rachel "Down on the Farm" Breakfast
  9. Club Member with her flower arrangement.

    Add Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Workshop to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Sedgefield

    A flower club workshop where participants make a flower arrangement led by area demonstrator Val Guest, of 40 years experience. Refreshments provided and you can take home your creation.

    Dates

    From:
    21 July 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    From:
    15 Dec 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    More info for Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Workshop
  10. Painted ceramic handbag with the world 'Love' on the front.

    Add May Sip N Ceramics - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    May Sip N Ceramics - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Bishop Auckland,

    Join us for a Sip N Ceramics evening … paint , sip ,and chill with friends in a fun, relaxed vibe!
    Your £10 booking fee is refundable against your pottery bill on the evening … pot prices vary between £16 and £34

    Dates

    From:
    29 May 2026Open 18:00 - 22:00
    More info for May Sip N Ceramics - High Farm Holiday Park
  11. Headshot of Laura Lexx smiling.

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Laura Lexx - YO-YO to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Laura Lexx - YO-YO

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    In a 10 year marriage eventually your partner sees it all. Every bad idea. Every silly decision. The real twist is that somewhere along the way, you have to believe them. And maybe, just maybe.. you learn to love yourself too.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Laura Lexx - YO-YO
  12. The Music of Prince concert poster

    Add The Music of Prince: The Candlelight Concert to your Itinerary

    The Music of Prince: The Candlelight Concert

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    A full live band, accompanied by four powerhouse vocalists, will take you on a journey through Prince's greatest hits. Sing along to anthems like Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Kiss, and 1999.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:45
    More info for The Music of Prince: The Candlelight Concert
  13. Big Science - illustration of an explosion and test tubes.

    Add Big "Easter Physics" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Big "Easter Physics" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Lanchester

    Join us this Easter for our very first Big Easter Physics Workshop where the children will explore energy and forces with an Easter theme. The children will make Easter bunnies stretch, jump and even fly. All the children will get to take home what…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 11:30 - 12:30
    More info for Big "Easter Physics" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  14. 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
  15. 'Allo, 'Allo' Weekend' tribute show poster with seven members of the cast.

    Add Allo Allo Weekend 16/05/2026 - Radisson Blu Durham to your Itinerary

    Allo Allo Weekend 16/05/2026 - Radisson Blu Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    You will arrive Saturday lunch time where you will be greeted by Rene and Edith, who will check you into your rooms. An option of Afternoon Tea or Cream Tea will be offered at 4pm, served with the help of the Allo Allo team.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026to17 May 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Allo Allo Weekend 16/05/2026 - Radisson Blu Durham
  16. Jean Martyn at the Theatre Organ

    Add Britain's Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn at the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ to your Itinerary

    Britain's Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn at the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    Britain's Got Talent finalist JEAN MARTYN play a concert of light classical and popular music at the mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for Britain's Got Talent finalist Jean Martyn at the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ
  17. The Craft & Producers' Marquee at Durham Christmas Festival

    Add Durham Christmas Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Christmas Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham Market Place, Durham City

    Durham Christmas Festival returns – the perfect combination of Christmas shopping and seasonal entertainment in the unique and stunning setting that is Durham City Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Christmas Festival
  18. A child doing a science experiment.

    Add Big Science to your Itinerary

    Big Science

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Meadowfield

    Science experiments for over 5's.

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026Open 11:00 - 11:45
    More info for Big Science
  19. Spring Artisan Market. Illustration of two people at a market stall.

    Add Spring Artisan Market - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors to your Itinerary

    Spring Artisan Market - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Seaham

    Celebrate the season with a wonderful weekend of spring shopping, bringing together a fantastic selection of carefully chosen local artisan makers and independent producers. Discover a vibrant mix of unique gifts, seasonal delights and irresistible…

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026to17 May 2026
    More info for Spring Artisan Market - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors
  20. Someone walking in Hamsterley Forest

    Add Well Being Wander to your Itinerary

    Well Being Wander

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Bedburn

    This peaceful self guided experience blends the ancient practice of forest bathing with a curated well being bundle to enjoy along the way.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Well Being Wander
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