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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. 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. 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:
    18 Dec 2025Open 10:30 - 12:00
    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
  3. Party Through the Decades Poster. with baubles, stars and snowflakes.

    Add Christmas Party Through The Decades Disco - Bowburn Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Christmas Party Through The Decades Disco - Bowburn Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Join us for a night of fun and merriment get your dancing shoes on, and party the night away on the dance floor as our resident DJ plays you all the hits all night long.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 00:00
    From:
    18 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 00:00
    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 00:00
    From:
    27 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 00:00
    From:
    3 Jan 2026to17 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Christmas Party Through The Decades Disco - Bowburn Hall Hotel
  4. Aerial view of Aglow presented by The Auckland Project

    Add AGLOW - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    AGLOW - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Auckland Palace's dazzling light trail AGLOW will light up the skies of Bishop Auckland once again this Christmas.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for AGLOW - The Auckland Project
  5. Santa reading three children a story.

    Add Story Time with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Story Time with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Are you ready for Storytime? Get those PJ's on, bring your most cuddly teddy and join us for an afternoon of spreading Christmas spirit with Mr and Mrs Claus. With milk & cookies on arrival, this event is guaranteed to get your little ones excited…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Story Time with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel
  6. Two men and a woman looking at one of the Christmas Trees for sale at Raby Castle

    Add Raby Christmas Trees to your Itinerary

    Raby Christmas Trees

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Real Christmas Trees at Raby.  Bring Festive Magic Home – Starting 22nd November.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Raby Christmas Trees
  7. Snow covered double decker bus at South Causey Inn

    Add Christmas Eve Santa Lunch at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Eve Santa Lunch at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Make Christmas Eve magical with festive feasting, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa himself!

    Dates

    From:
    24 Dec 2025Open 11:30 -
    More info for Christmas Eve Santa Lunch at South Causey Inn
  8. The River Wear in Durham City, Framwellgate Bridge and Durham Castle and Cathedral in the distance.

    Add Durham Independents to your Itinerary

    Durham Independents

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Shop Local, Win Big! Durham Independents Giveaway is Back!  From November 22th to December 19th, we’re giving away a massive £2,400 in vouchers to lucky local shoppers!

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to19 Dec 2025
    More info for Durham Independents
  9. Whitney Houston tribute act at the Radisson Blu

    Add Whitney Houston Queen of the Night to your Itinerary

    Whitney Houston Queen of the Night

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Relive the magic of Whitney Houston! Get ready to sing and dance to all of your favourite hits. This incredible ‘Celebration of Whitney’ tribute show features all the late diva’s most powerful hits, performed by the amazing Hayley-Ria.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025
    More info for Whitney Houston Queen of the Night
  10. Mother holding a baby

    Add Family Wednesday Morning at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Family Wednesday Morning at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Stanley

    A great place to meet other parents with your little one's...

    Dates

    From:
    12 Nov 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Family Wednesday Morning at South Causey Inn
  11. Cosy Christmas Mingle. Poster shows festive greenery, fairy lights and stars.

    Add Cosy Christmas Mingle - Merryoaks Community Hall to your Itinerary

    Cosy Christmas Mingle - Merryoaks Community Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Crafts, cakes, biscuit decorating and lots more.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00
    More info for Cosy Christmas Mingle - Merryoaks Community Hall
  12. Durham Cathedral's organ.

    Add Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Olivier Messiaen’s great organ work reflecting on the story of Jesus’s nativity performed on one of the country’s great cathedral organs by Daniel Cook and interspersed with readings from scripture. This recital is offered prayerfully and free of…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Jan 2026Open 17:30 -
    More info for Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur - Durham Cathedral
  13. Illustration of a spinning wheel and text which says, 'Sleeping Beauty'.

    Add Sleeping Beauty - Seaham Town Council to your Itinerary

    Sleeping Beauty - Seaham Town Council

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Seaham

    In Your Face Theatre present Sleeping Beauty, Tuesday 16th - Saturday 20th December, 2025.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Dec 2025to20 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Sleeping Beauty - Seaham Town Council
  14. Festive dinner at South Causey Inn. Mashed potatoes, Yorkshire Puddings, vegetables and gravy.

    Add The Post-Christmas Family Celebration at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    The Post-Christmas Family Celebration at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Festive Food

    Stanley

    Continue the festive celebrations with your loved ones at South Causey Inn’s Family Get Together – a perfect way to reconnect after the hustle and bustle of Christmas Day.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 15:00
    More info for The Post-Christmas Family Celebration at South Causey Inn
  15. Crook Hall Gardens, exterior of medieval hall

    Add Bookshop crafts for adults at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Bookshop crafts for adults at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Durham City

    This Christmas, learn how to make a fun Christmas decoration from recycled books.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Bookshop crafts for adults at Crook Hall Gardens
  16. Table set for Christmas Day lunch with two glasses of champagne at the Radisson Blu Durham

    Add Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant to your Itinerary

    Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Following the excitement of Christmas Day morning, come together with family and friends, and let the Radisson Blu Durham do all the hard work for you to celebrate your Christmas Day in style.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Day at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant
  17. Fairy lights outside of South Causey Inn.

    Add Christmas Wreath Workshops at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Wreath Workshops at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Handmade by you, cherished all season long...Add a touch of homemade charm to your Christmas with our Festive Wreath Workshop at South Causey Inn — a magical way to kick off the season and craft a beautiful, personalised wreath to adorn your home.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Dec 2025Open 17:00 -
    From:
    18 Dec 2025Open 17:00 -
    More info for Christmas Wreath Workshops at South Causey Inn
  18. The Milky Way

    Add Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Tonight's event promises to be a spectacular evening of astronomy.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    17 Dec 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    19 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - Grassholme Observatory
  19. 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
  20. Peter Miskin showing a guest how to prepare seafood.

    Add Seafood Masterclass with Executive Chef Peter Miskin to your Itinerary

    Seafood Masterclass with Executive Chef Peter Miskin

    Type

    Type:

    Master Class

    Stanley

    Learn to prepare, cook, and enjoy the finest seafood, with Executive Chef, Peter Miskin...

    Discover the secrets of preparing and cooking the finest seafood in this exclusive hands-on masterclass at South Causey Inn, led by our Executive Chef, Peter…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Jan 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Seafood Masterclass with Executive Chef Peter Miskin
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