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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. 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
  2. L-R John Lyons, Richard Turner and Alan Patrickson.

    Durham Jazz Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Old Cinema Launderette in Gilesgate,

    The 2026 Durham Jazz Festival will run from Friday 23rd October through to Sunday 25th October.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026
    More info for Durham Jazz Festival
  3. A child in rubber boots leans over a rock by a clear stream, arranging small stones into a circular pattern

    Add Drop-in Family Activity - On the Rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Drop-in Family Activity - On the Rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature

    Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Investigate the rocks around Bowlees to celebrate European Geoparks Week. Follow the trail to take a walk back in time and see what you can find along the way.

    Dates

    From:
    27 May 2026Open 13:00 - 16:00
    More info for Drop-in Family Activity - On the Rocks - Bowlees Visitor Centre
  4. Clay Pigeon Shooting in the beautiful Beamish Valley

    Add Clay Pigeon Shoot at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Clay Pigeon Shoot at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event

    Stanley

    Experience the thrill of clay pigeon shooting in the beautiful Beamish Valley.

    Dates

    From:
    20 June 2026
    From:
    18 July 2026
    From:
    15 Aug 2026
    From:
    19 Sept 2026
    From:
    17 Oct 2026
    From:
    21 Nov 2026
    From:
    19 Dec 2026
    More info for Clay Pigeon Shoot at South Causey Inn
  5. 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
  6. An ornate 19th-century lace parasol with an intricately patterned cream lace canopy. The handle is made of ivory or bone with a decorative metal finia

    Add Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection to your Itinerary

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection marks 20 years since the landmark exhibition Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection and commemorates the gift of the Blackborne lace collection to The Bowes Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to11 Apr 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection
  7. Impressionist seascape painting depicting a rocky shoreline with waves crashing against the coast.

    Add Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum is a major partnership between The Bowes Museum and the Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa), Le Havre.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to14 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum
  8. 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
  9. Heritage Open Days Logo

    Heritage Open Days 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture, bringing together over 2,000 local people and organisations, and thousands of volunteers.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026
    More info for Heritage Open Days 2026
  10. Adult and child taking part in the Forest School

    Add Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield to your Itinerary

    Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Meadowfield

    Forest school for primary age.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    From:
    20 June 2026Open 10:30 - 12:00
    More info for Noo Noo Forest School - St Johns Hall Meadowfield
  11. DreamWorks Shrek The Musical logo

    Add Shrek The Musical to your Itinerary

    Shrek The Musical

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chester-le-Street

    Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is an award-winning fairy tale adventure.

    Dates

    From:
    10 June 2026to13 June 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Shrek The Musical
  12. Teams of eight racing at Durham Regatta on a beautiful sunny day against the backdrop of Durham Cathedral and Castle.

    Add The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026 to your Itinerary

    The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Old Elvet, Durham City

    Join us for a spectacular weekend of racing and bank-side entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2026to14 June 2026
    More info for The 193rd Durham Regatta 2026
  13. Lumley Castle, the author Glenda Young and the front cover of a book

    Add Glenda Young Author Talk with Cream Tea at Lumley Castle to your Itinerary

    Glenda Young Author Talk with Cream Tea at Lumley Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Chester-le-Street

    Enjoy a special afternoon with cream tea at Lumley Castle with a book talk by bestselling author Glenda Young.

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Glenda Young Author Talk with Cream Tea at Lumley Castle
  14. A small group of adults and children walking away along a leafy forest path in dappled sunlight

    Add Family Friendly Bird Trail at Bowlees - Bowlees Visitor Centre to your Itinerary

    Family Friendly Bird Trail at Bowlees - Bowlees Visitor Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Nature

    Newbiggin-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    Self-guided, family-friendly, bird-themed treasure trail, during North Pennines NatureFest.

    Dates

    From:
    23 May 2026to7 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Family Friendly Bird Trail at Bowlees - Bowlees Visitor Centre
  15. 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
  16. Peterlee Comic Con advertising poster

    Add Peterlee Comic Con to your Itinerary

    Peterlee Comic Con

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Peterlee

    The inaugural Peterlee Comic Con will have special guests.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Peterlee Comic Con
  17. Illustration of Max Richter and Vivaldi standing back to back.

    Add Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons to your Itinerary

    Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    A unique concert will take place at the magnificent Durham Cathedral on the 8th of August!

    Dates

    From:
    8 Aug 2026Open 19:30 - 20:30
    More info for Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons
  18. Woman and man smiling next to vegetable stall of market. Woman holding vegetables.

    Add Bishop Auckland Market to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Bishop Auckland

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday and Saturday 8:00-17:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Bishop Auckland Market
  19. Exterior view of St. Brandon's Church.

    Add Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico to your Itinerary

    Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    For their traditional summer concert, the Durham Singers are taking their audiences on a sunny trip to South America. The festive theme for the concert comes from Mexican rhythms and colours of traditional and contemporary choral music.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico
  20. Little Farmers - Tiny Tots. Illustration of a tractor on a hill against a background of blue sky and sunshine.

    Add Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Little Farmers: Toddler Sensory Experience at The Paddocks.

    Dates

    From:
    4 May 2026to18 May 2026Open 10:00 - 15:30
    From:
    1 June 2026to29 June 2026Open 11:30 - 15:30
    More info for Little Farmers: Tiny Tots - High Farm Holiday Park
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