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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. Auckland Palace and Gardens

    Add British Landscapes in the Bishop Trevor Rooms - Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    British Landscapes in the Bishop Trevor Rooms - Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    Explore the birth of British landscape painting through works by 18th-century masters including Gainsborough, Reynolds, Stubbs, and Wilson. Set within the historic apartments of Bishop Trevor, this exhibition charts the rise of a genre that shaped…

    Dates

    From:
    2 July 2025to30 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for British Landscapes in the Bishop Trevor Rooms - Auckland Palace
  2. Wreath making poster with image of a wreath, Christmas lights and Santa hat

    Add Wreath Making to your Itinerary

    Wreath Making

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    West Auckland

    Add a touch of homemade charm to your Christmas with a Christmas wreath making workshop.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2025Open 10:30 - 15:00
    More info for Wreath Making
  3. Families enjoying the facilities at Wharton Park

    Add Active Fridays at Wharton Park to your Itinerary

    Active Fridays at Wharton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Primary school aged children in receipt of free school meals can take part in free fitness activities and games at Wharton Park Active Friday workshops over the summer holiday period.

    Dates

    From:
    25 July 2025to29 Aug 2025
    More info for Active Fridays at Wharton Park
  4. Connor Burns

    Add Connor Burns "Gallus" to your Itinerary

    Connor Burns "Gallus"

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    GALLUS is Connor’s fourth solo hour. A prolific joke writer whose lightning fast, razor-sharp wit combines with his signature single malt Scottish-level cynicism to help create the perfect storm of brilliant jokes performed by a disarming comedy…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Oct 2025Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Connor Burns "Gallus"
  5. External view of The Spanish Gallery

    Add The Spanish Gallery Guided Tour to your Itinerary

    The Spanish Gallery Guided Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Bishop Auckland

    Our knowledgeable guides offer in-depth insights and personalised attention, enhancing the experience for all visitors.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    28 July 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for The Spanish Gallery Guided Tour
  6. Group of people enjoying New Year's Eve at the Radisson Blu

    Add New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant to your Itinerary

    New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant

    Type

    Type:

    New Years Eve

    Durham City

    Say goodbye to the old and toast in the new with an evening of sensational food, entertainment and great company in our Józef’s Riverside restaurant.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Dec 2025
    More info for New Year’s Eve Celebrations at Józef’s Riverside Restaurant
  7. Glowing glass chandelier

    Add Glorious Glass at The Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Glorious Glass at The Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Spot some objects made from glass in the museum and make your own glass tile mosaic.

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    6 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Glorious Glass at The Oriental Museum
  8. Three images of artwork depicting activities on the train

    Railway 200: Exhibition Train - Inspiration

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Welcome to Inspiration.  Discover the past, present and future of railways on our incredible exhibition train Inspiration, touring Britain from 27th June 2025.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025to1 Oct 2025
    More info for Railway 200: Exhibition Train - Inspiration
  9. Crook Hall gardens

    Add History of Durham City Walk at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    History of Durham City Walk at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Durham City

    A guided walk from Crook Hall Gardens delving into the history of Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Apr 2025to28 Oct 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for History of Durham City Walk at Crook Hall Gardens
  10. Beachgoers at sunrise on the beach in Seaham heading to the sauna

    Add Sunrise SUP and Sauna - Adventure Access to your Itinerary

    Sunrise SUP and Sauna - Adventure Access

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Seaham Harbour Marina, Seaham

    Are you an early bird? Do you like the feeling of being up and about before the rest of the world? Then join first thing on a morning to watch the sun come up on a new day, feel the sea air on your face whilst you paddle on the North Sea and marvel…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Aug 2025Open 05:00 -
    From:
    31 Aug 2025Open 05:15 -
    From:
    7 Sept 2025Open 05:30 -
    From:
    14 Sept 2025Open 05:45 -
    More info for Sunrise SUP and Sauna - Adventure Access
  11. Heritage Open Days Logo

    Heritage Open Days 2025

    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:
    12 Sept 2025to21 Sept 2025
    More info for Heritage Open Days 2025
  12. poster tribute night Freddie mercury

    Add Freddie Mercury Tribute Night to your Itinerary

    Freddie Mercury Tribute Night

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Peterlee

    Get ready to ROCK as we bring you an electrifying night of Queen's greatest hits with an unmissable Freddie Mercury Tribute.  

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025Open 19:00 - 22:30
    More info for Freddie Mercury Tribute Night
  13. Drums in a steel barn decorated with fairy lights and cushions

    Add Drum Circle & Sound bath - Dalton Moor Farm to your Itinerary

    Drum Circle & Sound bath - Dalton Moor Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Seaham

    Awaken the Fire, Soothe the Soul. A Deeply Restorative Session of Rhythm and Sound for Wellbeing - Immerse yourself, mind, body, and soul, into the layers and healing frequencies of sound and rhythm. From Drum Beat to Deep Peace - Join the Journey…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Sept 2025Open 17:30 - 19:30
    From:
    7 Oct 2025Open 17:30 - 19:30
    More info for Drum Circle & Sound bath - Dalton Moor Farm
  14. Details of event with a decorated Christmas wreath and snow flakes

    Add Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Sedgefield

    Julia Loudon presents Midwinter Magic.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Nov 2025Open 19:15 - 21:15
    More info for Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration
  15. Brancepeth castle golf club

    Add Men's Opens - Brancepeth Castle Golf Club to your Itinerary

    Men's Opens - Brancepeth Castle Golf Club

    Type

    Type:

    Golf Events

    Durham

    Open events at Brancepeth are extremely popular and usually sell out very quickly as they attract visitors from all over the North of England and beyond.  We pride ourselves in making everyone’s visit to our golf course memorable by delivering…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Aug 2025
    From:
    11 Oct 2025
    More info for Men's Opens - Brancepeth Castle Golf Club
  16. Spooky family with bats - Cliffecon Halloween Edition

    Add Cliffecon - Halloween Edition at Oak Leaf Sports Complex to your Itinerary

    Cliffecon - Halloween Edition at Oak Leaf Sports Complex

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Newton Aycliffe

    Cliffecon Halloween Edition will be taking place on Saturday 25th October 2025 at Oakleaf Sports Complex.
    You can expect all the delicious geekiness of Cliffecon but with a spooky twist!

    Dates

    From:
    25 Oct 2025Open 10:30 - 16:00
    More info for Cliffecon - Halloween Edition at Oak Leaf Sports Complex
  17. The Bowes Museum and grounds

    Add LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Explore The Bowes Museum’s collection through a different lens and learn about the stories and emotions objects hold through the lived experiences of those who identify as LGBTQIA+.

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for LGBTQIA+ Object Trail - The Bowes Museum
  18. Silver spinner ring and tools.

    Add Silver Spinner Ring Workshop & Cream Tea - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Silver Spinner Ring Workshop & Cream Tea - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Lanchester

    A jewellery making workshop with Simply Smallholding is an experience to remember.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Oct 2025Open 09:00 - 13:00
    More info for Silver Spinner Ring Workshop & Cream Tea - Lanchester Garden Centre
  19. Close up of vegetables at market stall. Person standing next to veg.

    Add Consett Market to your Itinerary

    Consett Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Consett

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Consett Market
  20. Rock Choir performing at Ushaw

    Add Rock Choir at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Rock Choir at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham

    On Sunday 10 August, the stunning vocal arrangements of the North East’s biggest choir, Rock Choir take to our stunning Rose Garden.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Aug 2025Open 13:30 - 15:00
    More info for Rock Choir at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
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