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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. The Female of the Species by Joanne Murray-Smith. 12th - 15th August 2026. Illustration of a woman's hands in cuffs.

    Add The Female of the Species - Comedy by Joanna Murray-Smith - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    The Female of the Species - Comedy by Joanna Murray-Smith - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    Margaret Mason is a best selling women's lib author with writer block. Will a visit from a fan help or hinder? And why the handcuffs?

    Dates

    From:
    12 Aug 2026to15 Aug 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for The Female of the Species - Comedy by Joanna Murray-Smith - The City Theatre
  2. Text reads, 'Summer Sing-a-Long starring the Forget Me Not Singers. 7 June 2026, 2pm-3pm.' Graphic image of pink flowers and leaves in the background.

    Add Summer Sing-a-Long - Chester-le-Street Methodist Church to your Itinerary

    Summer Sing-a-Long - Chester-le-Street Methodist Church

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Chester le Street

    Summer Sing along free event starring the 'Forget Me Not Singers' 7th June 2026, 2pm - 3pm. 

    Dates

    From:
    7 June 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    More info for Summer Sing-a-Long - Chester-le-Street Methodist Church
  3. Photograph of Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison

    Add Simon & Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene to your Itinerary

    Simon & Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Get up close and personal with Ocean Colour Scene's Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison.

    Dates

    From:
    3 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Simon & Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene
  4. A bee on a purple flower in a wild flower meadow.

    North Pennines NatureFest

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    North Pennines NatureFest is packed with events that celebrate nature, heritage and the landscape in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to7 June 2026
    More info for North Pennines NatureFest
  5. Someone taking control of a historic Steam locomotive.

    Add Steam Driver Experiences - Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    Steam Driver Experiences - Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Marley Hill, Tanfield

    Enjoy the Thrill of Driving a Historic Steam Locomotive at Tanfield Railway!

    Dates

    From:
    25 May 2026
    From:
    5 July 2026
    From:
    1 Aug 2026
    From:
    31 Aug 2026
    More info for Steam Driver Experiences - Tanfield Railway
  6. Poster advertising the event with an image, dates and times and contact details

    Add The Prince of Egypt to your Itinerary

    The Prince of Egypt

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham City

    Following on from their multi-award productions of "The Producers", "Half a Sixpence", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", "Evita" and "Chess", Durham Musical Theatre Company will be one of the first amateur groups in the UK to stage "The Prince of…

    Dates

    From:
    12 May 2026to16 May 2026Open 19:00 - 22:00
    More info for The Prince of Egypt
  7. 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
  8. Rosettes from the Durham County Show

    Add The Durham County Show to your Itinerary

    The Durham County Show

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    nr Thornley

    The Annual Durham County Show is a vibrant event featuring a variety of activities and attractions for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for The Durham County Show
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. The Chloé Piano Trio

    Add Bishop Auckland Music Society 2026 Concert Series - Chloë Piano Trio (violin, cello & piano). to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland Music Society 2026 Concert Series - Chloë Piano Trio (violin, cello & piano).

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Bishop Auckland

    The Chloé Piano Trio, Tunnell Trust Award Winners 2024/25, was formed in 2017 by talented emerging musicians at the Royal College of Music, London. They previously were Kirckman Trust Young Artists and winners of the Royal Philharmonic Society…

    Dates

    From:
    11 Sept 2026Open 19:00 - 21:30
    More info for Bishop Auckland Music Society 2026 Concert Series - Chloë Piano Trio (violin, cello & piano).
  12. Children attending an event at The Bowes Museum.

    Add Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Step into the world of Vivienne Westwood, the ultimate rule-breaker of fashion, in a family-friendly tour that brings her exhibition to life.

    Dates

    From:
    26 May 2026to27 May 2026
    More info for Step Into Westwood: A Family Adventure Through Fashion Rebellion at The Bowes Museum
  13. 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
  14. Three wedding dresses, part of the exhibition at Ushaw, Historic House, Chapels and Gardens.

    Add 150 Years of Wedding Dresses at Ushaw to your Itinerary

    150 Years of Wedding Dresses at Ushaw

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    150 Years of Wedding Dresses showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and evolving trends that have defined one of the most memorable days in countless lives.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to31 Aug 2026
    More info for 150 Years of Wedding Dresses at Ushaw
  15. The Hound of The Baskervilles 22nd - 28th November 2026.

    Add The Hound of the Baskervilles - The City Theatre to your Itinerary

    The Hound of the Baskervilles - The City Theatre

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    A reduced cast production of this classic tale.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 14:30 -
    From:
    23 Nov 2026to27 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for The Hound of the Baskervilles - The City Theatre
  16. Crowds of people at Seaham Food Festival

    Add Seaham Food Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Seaham Food Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Seaham

    The festival welcomes thousands of visitors each year for two days of sun, sea, family fun and, of course, food. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Aug 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Seaham Food Festival 2026
  17. 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
  18. TEDXDurhamUniversity logo

    Add TEDxDurhamUniversity - Redhills Miners Hall to your Itinerary

    TEDxDurhamUniversity - Redhills Miners Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham

    TEDxDurhamUniversity is set to return on Saturday 2 May 2026 at Redhills Miners Hall, bringing together an exceptional line-up of speakers from academia, industry, and public life for an afternoon of ideas, innovation, and thought-provoking…

    Dates

    From:
    2 May 2026Open 13:00 - 17:30
    More info for TEDxDurhamUniversity - Redhills Miners Hall
  19. Fools Gold Blaydon Races poster showing a painting of people and their dogs enjoying the Blaydon Races.

    Add Fools Gold Blaydon Races - St Johns Hall Meadowfield to your Itinerary

    Fools Gold Blaydon Races - St Johns Hall Meadowfield

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Meadowfield

    Acoustic Duo. Seats £7. Refreshments on sale or BYOB.

    Dates

    From:
    9 May 2026Open 16:30 - 19:30
    More info for Fools Gold Blaydon Races - St Johns Hall Meadowfield
  20. Ever Ready Band performing.

    Add EverReady Band performing Myth, Magic & More to your Itinerary

    EverReady Band performing Myth, Magic & More

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    One of the North East's most celebrated brass ensembles, EverReady Band brings epic stories and cinematic soundscapes to life in the beautiful surroundings of Durham Cathedral as part of the 2026 Durham Brass Festival.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for EverReady Band performing Myth, Magic & More
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