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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. 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
  2. Chester-le-EATS 26. Food, Drink and Music Festival. Poster shows a starry background.

    Add Chester-le-EATS - Durham Cricket to your Itinerary

    Chester-le-EATS - Durham Cricket

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink Festival

    Riverside, Chester-le-Street

    Chester-le-EATS returns for its milestone fifth anniversary in 2026, and this year promises to be the biggest celebration yet.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to27 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00
    More info for Chester-le-EATS - Durham Cricket
  3. Delicious treats as part of Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at The Manor House Hotel and Spa.

    Add Mother's Day - Afternoon Tea to your Itinerary

    Mother's Day - Afternoon Tea

    Type

    Type:

    Mother's Day

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    Join us this Mother's Day for a delightful Afternoon Tea in our beautiful restaurant, featuring live music by Jenna Louise performing timeless classics. Each mum will receive a special gift from us, so please let us know when making your reservation.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Mar 2026Open 15:00 - 17:30
    More info for Mother's Day - Afternoon Tea
  4. Durham Brass Festival logo on colourful backdrop of Durham.

    Durham Brass Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    BRASS is back in 2026 with a fantastic programme of brass-inspired events coming to Durham from 12 - 19 July. 

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to19 July 2026
    More info for Durham Brass Festival 2026
  5. Pianist, Warren Mailley-Smith.

    Add Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto by Candlelight - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto by Candlelight - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham

    Step into the tranquil glow of candlelight and enjoy a spellbinding evening of classical music in the stunning surroundings of Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto by Candlelight - Durham Cathedral
  6. May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North'

    Add May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North' to your Itinerary

    May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North'

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    Did you know that, historically, May Day was one of the biggest celebrations of the year? Come along and find out why as we celebrate a traditional May Day in The Pit Village and at Pockerley Old Hall.

    Dates

    From:
    3 May 2026to4 May 2026
    More info for May Day Celebrations 2026 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North'
  7. Man with flowers at Durham City Farmers' Market

    Add Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market to your Itinerary

    Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Durham city

    Durham’s Food Producers’ and Crafters’ Market is now on the first Thursday of each month – open from 9am until 4.30pm, or until stock has sold out.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Food Producers' and Crafters' Market
  8. A community hall set out with tables and chairs

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

    Ferryhill , Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Coffee Morning

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Sedgefield

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club welcome members of the public to join us for a coffee morning where we have tea/coffee, a bite to eat and a raffle.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Mar 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    22 May 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    18 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    20 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Ferryhill , Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Coffee Morning
  9. Dr John Castling and Professor Christopher Gerrard with archaeology students and volunteers - Credit Stuart Boulton

    Add Archaeology ‘Open Lab’ - an Auckland Project Exhibition to your Itinerary

    Archaeology ‘Open Lab’ - an Auckland Project Exhibition

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    Archaeologists uncovering the hidden history of Auckland Palace are inviting the public behind the scenes as historic finds from eight years of excavations are analysed in a new ‘open laboratory’ in Bishop Auckland town centre. Fridays weekly…

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    16 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Archaeology ‘Open Lab’ - an Auckland Project Exhibition
  10. 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
  11. Trader at Barnard Castle Farmer's Market at stall taking money from customer

    Add Barnard Castle Farmers' Market to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Farmers' Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Barnard Castle

    Barnard Castle Farmers’ Market is one of the North East’s most popular markets featuring a wide range of artisan food and crafts from the region. Open 9:00 to 14:00 on the first Saturday of each month.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Barnard Castle Farmers' Market
  12. 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
  13. Redhills Durham Miners Hall

    Add Stand up for the Miners to your Itinerary

    Stand up for the Miners

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Durham City

    A night of comedy and politics, in support of the Durham Miners Gala.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Mar 2026Open 19:00 - 22:30
    More info for Stand up for the Miners
  14. 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
  15. Two women playing cricket

    Add Durham Cricket - England Women V New Zealand Women ODI to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket - England Women V New Zealand Women ODI

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    England Women take on New Zealand Women in a thrilling one day international on Sunday 10 May 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    10 May 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket - England Women V New Zealand Women ODI
  16. Big Science - illustration of an explosion and test tubes.

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

    Big "Chocolate" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Lanchester

    Join us for our Big "Chocolate" Science Easter Workshop where each child gets to make their own Easter Chocolate as we explore States of Matter.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Big "Chocolate" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  17. Trains at Locomotion

    Add Yesterbus Classic Bus Gathering at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Yesterbus Classic Bus Gathering at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Featuring a display of classic buses from across the region.

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026
    More info for Yesterbus Classic Bus Gathering at Locomotion
  18. Text reads, 'Mamma Mia! Magic!' and background image shows the sea lapping against cliffs.

    Add Mamma Mia Magic! - Manor House Hotel & Spa to your Itinerary

    Mamma Mia Magic! - Manor House Hotel & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Murder Mystery

    Bishop Auckland

    Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again!
    Get ready for an ABBA-solutely fabulous night as the talented team at Charm Productions UK brings you their tribute to the iconic "Mamma Mia" movie!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026Open 19:00 - 23:45
    More info for Mamma Mia Magic! - Manor House Hotel & Spa
  19. Several deer in the park - Deer Park Safari Raby Castle, Park and Gardens.

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

    Deer Park Safari - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Nature

    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:
    18 Mar 2026
    More info for Deer Park Safari - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  20. Logo for the DreamWorks production of The Prince of Egypt. Elaborate gold lettering on a royal blue background containing hieroglyphics.

    Add Durham Musical Theatre Company presents The Prince of Egypt to your Itinerary

    Durham Musical Theatre Company presents The Prince of Egypt

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    Following on from their multi-award nominated 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 Egypt…

    Dates

    From:
    12 May 2026to16 May 2026Open 19:00 -
    From:
    13 May 2026Open 14:00 -
    From:
    16 May 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Durham Musical Theatre Company presents The Prince of Egypt
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