Skip To Main Content

  • Accommodation
    • Don't Miss
      • City Breaks
      • Spa Breaks
      • Dog Friendly
      • Stunning Stays
    • Hotels
    • B&B and Guest Houses
    • Inns & Pubs
    • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages
      • Self Catering Agencies
    • Caravan, Camping & Glamping
    • Hostels
    • Accessible Accommodation
  • Things to Do
    • Don't Miss
      • Binchester Roman Fort
      • Beamish Museum
      • Bishop Auckland Town Hall
      • Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • Crook Hall Gardens
      • Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre
      • Durham Castle Tours
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Durham Cricket
      • Durham Town Hall
      • Durham University Botanic Garden
      • Durham University Oriental Museum
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • Hardwick Park
      • High Force
      • Killhope
      • Kynren- An epic Tale of England
      • Locomotion
      • Palace Green Library
      • Raby Castle
      • Seaham Harbour Marina
      • The Auckland Project
      • Spennymoor Town Hall Bob Abley Art Gallery
      • The Bowes Museum
      • Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
      • Wharton Park
    • Attractions
      • Castles & Historic Houses
      • Cathedral & Churches
      • Hands on History
      • Gardens & Parks
      • Family Fun
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Waterfalls & Reservoirs
    • Activities
      • Adventure Activities
      • Cycling
      • Family Fun Activities
      • Festival & Events Organisers
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding
      • Spas
      • Walking
    • Entertainment
      • Cinema
      • Theatre
    • Shopping
      • Antiques
      • Arts & Crafts
      • Farm Shops & Markets
      • Garden Centres
      • Only in Durham
      • Independent Shops & Boutiques
      • Shopping Centres
    • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides
      • Attraction Tours
      • Tour Guides
      • Scenic Tours
      • Cycling Tours
      • Walking Tours
      • Durham City Guide - Churches, Chapels and Cafes
    • Weddings
      • Historic Wedding Venues
      • Hotel Wedding Venues
      • Wedding Fairs & Events
      • Stag & Hen Party Ideas
      • Wedding Packages
  • What's On
    • What's on this Week
    • Family Events
      • Summer Holidays
      • Free Events
    • 2025 Unmissable Events
    • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events
      • Cinema Venues
      • Theatre Venues
    • Sports
    • Dark Skies Events
    • Food & Drink
    • Exhibitions
  • Food & Drink
    • Don't Miss
      • Bishop’s Kitchen at Auckland Palace
      • Botanic Garden Café
      • Cafe Bowes at The Bowes Museum
      • Durham Dales Centre Tea Room
      • El Castillo
      • Gala Lounge
      • High Force Hotel and Waterfall
      • Hotel Indigo Rotunda Bar
      • Jozef’s Riverside Bar & Restaurant
      • Killhope Lead Mining Museum Cafe and Shop
      • Lumley Castle - Knight's Restaurant
      • Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill
      • Ozone at Seaham Hall
      • The Dining Room
      • The Dunes Café
      • The Falls Café at Bowlees Visitor Centre
      • The Garden Gate Café at Crook Hall Gardens
      • The Hamsterley Cafe and Ice Cream Kiosk
      • The Neighbourhood @ Hotel Indigo Durham
      • The Oak Room Restaurant
      • The Tower Cafe
      • The Vinery at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
      • Undercroft Restaurant
      • Ushaw Café
    • Restaurants
    • Tearooms & Coffee Shops
    • Pubs & Bars
    • Get a Taste of Durham
    • Afternoon Tea in Durham
  • Inspire Me
    • Don't Miss
      • Auckland Palace
      • Beamish Museum
      • Dalton Park
      • Durham Cathedral
      • Hamsterley Forest
      • High Force
      • Killhope
      • Kynren – an epic tale of England
      • North Pennines National Landscape
    • Short Break Ideas
      • Dark Skies
      • Dog Friendly Durham
      • Romantic Getaways
      • Spa Breaks
      • Golf Breaks
      • Weddings
      • City Break
    • Seasonal
      • Spring Breaks
      • Summer Breaks
      • Autumn Breaks
      • Winter Breaks
    • Budget-Friendly Days Out in Durham
    • Explore From Your Door
    • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors
    • Discover Wellness in Durham
    • Go Car Free in Durham
    • Only in Durham
    • Delve Into Our Heritage
    • Durham's Unmissable Highlights
    • Itineraries
    • Durham Videos
  • Explore Durham
    • Durham City
    • Durham Dales
    • Vale of Durham
    • Durham Coast
    • Durham Towns
      • Barnard Castle
      • Bishop Auckland
      • Chester-le-Street
      • Seaham
      • Stanhope
    • North Pennines National Landscape
    • North East England
  • Visitor Information
    • Information Points
    • Maps of Durham
    • Getting to Durham
    • Getting Around Durham
      • Car Hire
      • Taxis
      • Electric Car Charging Points
    • Accessible Durham
    • Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Durham
    • Publications
    • Durham Apps
    • Discover Durham Digitally

Don't Miss

  • A family getting on a tram at Beamish

    Family Fun

  • A couple walking in the Durham Dales

    Walking in Durham

  • Seaham summer beach holiday fun

    Summer Breaks

  • Fireworks at Kynren

    Summer Holidays

A German Flag
This is Durham logo
Menu
  • Durham the Culture County logo
  • Print Logo
Close Navigation

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.

Loading..

Number of results:

Number of results: 324

, currently showing 1 to 20.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • ...
  • 16
  • 17
  • Next Next
Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest
  1. Poster showing craft material such as ribbon, sewing needle, material, and bows - 'Craft Destash'

    Add Castle Eden Destash - Castle Eden Village Hall to your Itinerary

    Castle Eden Destash - Castle Eden Village Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Castle Eden

    Craft supplies at low prices . From wool to resin, find a bargain for your craft needs. Free entry, free parking. 

    Dates

    From:
    13 July 2025Open 10:00 - 14:00
    More info for Castle Eden Destash - Castle Eden Village Hall
  2. A Stone Cottage in the countryside

    Add Archaeology in Upper Teesdale to your Itinerary

    Archaeology in Upper Teesdale

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Newbiggin

    Join Altogether Archaeology on a 4 mile guided walk to see how people lived and used the Teesdale landscape.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025to21 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Archaeology in Upper Teesdale
  3. Children playing at The Bowes Museum

    Add Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Time for The Bowes’ youngest visitors to explore and play in the Conversation Gallery, investigate materials and be creative in this self-led, free-play session.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Jan 2025to8 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Stay and Play - The Bowes Museum
  4. Queen Elsa, Princess Anna & Holly the Elf

    Add Frozen Princess Party - The Manor House Hotel & Spa to your Itinerary

    Frozen Princess Party - The Manor House Hotel & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    Join us in The Great Hall of Arendelle for Afternoon Tea where we will meet Queen Elsa, Princess Anna & Holly the elf

    Dates

    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 15:00 - 19:00
    More info for Frozen Princess Party - The Manor House Hotel & Spa
  5. A family walking in front of the gateway of Durham Castle

    Add Heritage Open Days - Durham Castle: Self-Guided Day to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Durham Castle: Self-Guided Day

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Palace Green, Durham City

    A free self-guided visit to Durham Castle to enjoy the historic and beautiful surroundings at your own pace.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Sept 2025
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Durham Castle: Self-Guided Day
  6. Preston Park Museum and Grounds

    Add S&DR200: Tracks of Change to your Itinerary

    S&DR200: Tracks of Change

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Stockton on Tees

    Following a major redevelopment, Preston Park will open its new exhibition space with Tracks of Change, a series of exhibitions exploring the impact and legacy of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2025to30 Sept 2025
    More info for S&DR200: Tracks of Change
  7. Someone holding Vegetables - Copyright Beamish Museum

    Add Horticultural Show 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Horticultural Show 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Beamish

    The museum has teamed up with the North East Horticultural Society for this annual event, taking place on the museum’s Events Field, which will see fierce, friendly competition at the museum as a vast array of vegetables, flowers and crafts are put…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Sept 2025to7 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Horticultural Show 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  8. Railway 200 logo

    Add Railway 200 Talk: “Teesdale Tracks and Derailing Dukes” – with Chris Lloyd to your Itinerary

    Railway 200 Talk: “Teesdale Tracks and Derailing Dukes” – with Chris Lloyd

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Shildon

    As we’re into the Stockton & Darlington Railway Bicentenary year, we’re teaming up with the Friends of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and Jane Hackworth-Young to present a series of talks at Timothy Hackworth’s own Institute.

    Dates

    From:
    16 July 2025Open 19:00 -
    More info for Railway 200 Talk: “Teesdale Tracks and Derailing Dukes” – with Chris Lloyd
  9. Deer at Raby Castle Park

    Add Raby Through the Lens to your Itinerary

    Raby Through the Lens

    Type

    Type:

    Participatory Event

    Staindrop

    Join us for Raby Through The Lens, a relaxed and welcoming photography social held on the first Tuesday of every month.

    Dates

    From:
    1 July 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Raby Through the Lens
  10. Silhouette of three people, and title reads, 'Secret Admirers'

    Add Durham Fringe Festival: Secret Admirers to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival: Secret Admirers

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham City

    Welcome to the Bureau's Secret One-To-One Surveillance Branch, where every person on earth is keenly surveyed by an FBI Agent! In this musical comedy, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ meets espionage and bureaucracy, as two FBI agents help their awkward…

    Dates

    From:
    25 July 2025to27 July 2025Open 20:30 -
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival: Secret Admirers
  11. Bride and Groom walking hand in hand from Redworth Hall as guests shower them in confetti

    Add Redworth Hall Wedding Showcase to your Itinerary

    Redworth Hall Wedding Showcase

    Type

    Type:

    Wedding Fairs and Events

    Newton Aycliffe

    No matter your wedding dreams or style, Redworth Hall Hotel is dedicated to making every detail of your wedding day exactly as you’ve imagined. As one of the most romantic wedding venues in County Durham, we offer the perfect setting for your…

    Dates

    From:
    20 July 2025Open 17:00 - 19:00
    More info for Redworth Hall Wedding Showcase
  12. Man demonstrating a science experiment with fire

    Add Big "Lava Lamp" Science to your Itinerary

    Big "Lava Lamp" Science

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bargate Bank, Lanchester

    This Summer we welcome back Big Science for some more exciting and fun experiments, this time centred around lava lamps.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Big "Lava Lamp" Science
  13. 12 people in1940s clothing: men in suits and army uniform, women in skirts and trousers, and two children in coats and hats with a woman pushing a pra

    Add Way Back When: 1940s Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Way Back When: 1940s Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Durham

    Way Back When: 1940s is back for its fifth instalment on Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July 2025!

    Dates

    From:
    5 July 2025to6 July 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Way Back When: 1940s Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  14. Crowds of people at Seaham Food Festival

    Add Seaham Food Festival 2025 to your Itinerary

    Seaham Food Festival 2025

    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:
    2 Aug 2025to3 Aug 2025
    More info for Seaham Food Festival 2025
  15. Twilight at RSPB Saltholme. A red, purple and orange sky behind the silhouettes of trees.

    Add Writing Workshop with Bob Beagrie - RSPB Saltholme to your Itinerary

    Writing Workshop with Bob Beagrie - RSPB Saltholme

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Port Clarence, Middlesbrough

    Saltholme is a wildlife oasis, with wildflower meadows, bird-rich pools and lakes, and whispering grasslands to explore. An ideal location for an informal, fun and inspiring writing workshop with award winning and widely published poet Dr Bob…

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Writing Workshop with Bob Beagrie - RSPB Saltholme
  16. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Hardwick Holiday Club 2025 - Hardwick Park to your Itinerary

    Hardwick Holiday Club 2025 - Hardwick Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sedgefield

    Join us this August for Hardwick Holiday Club. Each day will offer opportunities to explore and discover a range of outdoor adventures while making new friends, playing games, and learning new skills. Holiday Club will include a themed morning…

    Dates

    From:
    11 Aug 2025to15 Aug 2025Open 09:00 - 16:00
    More info for Hardwick Holiday Club 2025 - Hardwick Park
  17. Illustration of faceless person - Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan book of Japanese ghost stories

    Add Lafcadio Hearn – Kwaidan at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Lafcadio Hearn – Kwaidan at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    This Autumn at Ushaw, see a touring exhibition of prints inspired by the writing of Lafcadio Hearn’s Kwaidan book of Japanese ghost stories. Perfect for spooky season!

    Dates

    From:
    6 Sept 2025to2 Nov 2025
    More info for Lafcadio Hearn – Kwaidan at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  18. Pockerley at Beamish with three people dressed in period dress

    Add Pockerley 30th Anniversary Celebrations at Beamish to your Itinerary

    Pockerley 30th Anniversary Celebrations at Beamish

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Stanley

    To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening of Pockerley Old Hall, the museum will hold 30 activities at Pockerley between 17th May and 31st December 2025.

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Pockerley 30th Anniversary Celebrations at Beamish
  19. 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
  20. 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
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • ...
  • 16
  • 17
  • Next Next
Loading..Loading..
  • Enewsletter Sign Up

  • Contact Us

  • Print Page
  • Email Page
Home Accommodation
  • Hotels,
  • B&B and Guest Houses,
  • Inns & Pubs,
  • Self Catering & Holiday Cottages,
  • Caravan, Camping & Glamping,
  • Dog Friendly,
  • Hostels,
Things to Do
  • Attractions,
  • Activities,
  • Shopping,
  • Sightseeing, Tours & Guides,
What's On
  • Family Events,
  • 2025 Unmissable Events,
  • What's on this Week,
  • Cinema, Theatre & Music Events,
  • Dark Skies Events,
Food & Drink
  • Restaurants,
  • Tearooms & Coffee Shops,
  • Pubs & Bars,
  • Get a Taste of Durham,
  • Tasty Places to Stay,
  • Foodie Events,
Inspire Me
  • Short Break Ideas,
  • Discover Durham's Great Outdoors,
  • Delve Into Our Heritage,
  • Durham's Unmissable Highlights,
  • Itineraries,
Explore Durham
  • Durham City,
  • Durham Dales,
  • Vale of Durham,
  • Durham Coast,
  • Durham Towns,
  • North East England,
Visitor Information
  • Information Points,
  • Maps of Durham,
  • Getting to Durham,
  • Getting Around Durham,
  • Accessible Durham,
  • Sustainable and Responsible Tourism in Durham,
  • Publications,
Submit Event
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Submit Event
  • Terms & Conditions

© Copyright Visit County Durham. All Rights Reserved

Registered Office: Visit County Durham, East Wing, 1st Floor, Corten House, Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TS

  • North East England logo

Ratings & Reviews

Powered By

tripadvisor

  • Durham County Council