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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. Painting of Robert Burns in front of the Scottish Flag.

    Add Burns Night Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Burns Night Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Join us for a lively Burns Night Banquet, celebrating Scottish tradition with a four-course meal which includes haggis, a goblet of red wine, a goblet of mead, and a dram of whisky per guest. 

    Dates

    From:
    23 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 01:00
    More info for Burns Night Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel
  2. 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:
    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
  3. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Bishop Auckland Market
  4. Rapunzel written in gold on a purple background.

    Add Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime to your Itinerary

    Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime

    Type

    Type:

    Pantomimes

    Durham City

    In the dark, tangled forest of Hamsterley stands a mysterious tower, locals swear they can hear beautiful singing drifting through the trees, a voice so pure it stops even the bravest woodcutter in their tracks.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Nov 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Rapunzel - Gala Durham Pantomime
  5. A table set for Afternoon Tea at the Radisson Blu

    Add Festive Afternoon Tea, Sip and Celebrate to your Itinerary

    Festive Afternoon Tea, Sip and Celebrate

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Our festive afternoon tea is a little slice of Christmas magic, served on a tiered stand.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Festive Afternoon Tea, Sip and Celebrate
  6. 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:
    19 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Dark Sky Astronomy and Stargazing - Grassholme Observatory
  7. 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
  8. Mrs Smith 1,2,3 eyes on me with 
illustrations of flowers and leaves

    Add Mrs Smith "123, Eyes on Me!" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Mrs Smith "123, Eyes on Me!" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Mrs Smith was an ordinary teacher until she went viral on Facebook and accidentally became a comedian.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Mrs Smith "123, Eyes on Me!" - The Witham
  9. Wooden Christmas carol singers.

    Carols in the Chapel - Wynyard Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Wynyard

    Nothing will get you into the spirit of Christmas more than listening to the sound of traditional festive songs performed by exceptional local choir, Cantabile, under the musical direction of Reverend Daniel Ackerley. Finish the evening with mince…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    From:
    23 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Carols in the Chapel - Wynyard Hall
  10. Colourful abstract art by Tom Hume

    Add Tom Hume: Retrospective - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tom Hume: Retrospective - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    The first comprehensive exhibition of the work of Tom Hume, a Durham-based artist and art teacher.

    Dates

    From:
    8 Nov 2025to31 Jan 2026
    More info for Tom Hume: Retrospective - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  11. Black and white image of a cave opening out to sea.

    Add Tarney - St Mark Passion - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tarney - St Mark Passion - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Ushaw Moor , Durham

    Welcome to listen Durham Singers performing new Easter time music. St Mark Passion is a composition for choir, orchestra and soloists by our favourite living composer Oliver Tarney.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Tarney - St Mark Passion - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  12. Cinderella and Prince Charming

    Add Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall to your Itinerary

    Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Sedgefield

    Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, has revealed a festive programme of entertainment for all ages in the run up to Christmas and beyond – with some magical treats in store for children.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025to3 Jan 2026
    More info for Santa and Cinders at Hardwick Hall
  13. Cartoon painting of characters from children's animated films

    Add Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A free, community-led film club bringing people together through stories on screen. Each month we show a relaxed, family-friendly movie in the afternoon, followed by an early evening film for general audiences. Third Sunday of every month.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    13 Oct 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Films at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  14. Toy.51 Model Train Set c.1840s at The Bowes Museum. Photography by Claire Collinson.

    Add S&DR200 - Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    An exhibition showcasing historic fashion, toys and artworks that reflect on how the railway reshaped lives and culture.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2025to1 Feb 2026
    More info for S&DR200 - Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail
  15. A room at the Durham Marriott set up for a Christmas Party with balloons and table decorations

    Add Christmas Party Nights at The Durham Marriott to your Itinerary

    Christmas Party Nights at The Durham Marriott

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Whether you are organising an event for yourself and a group of friends or a corporate Christmas party, our Joiner Party Nights are always evenings to remember at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025
    More info for Christmas Party Nights at The Durham Marriott
  16. Burns Night Supper poster with date and time of event and an image of Rabbie Burns.

    Add Burns Night Supper - Manor House Hotel & Spa to your Itinerary

    Burns Night Supper - Manor House Hotel & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    Join us for an unforgettable Burns Night Supper at The Manor House Hotel & Spa!

    Dates

    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 19:00 - 23:30
    More info for Burns Night Supper - Manor House Hotel & Spa
  17. Close-up of Jodie Fitzgibbon performing

    Add Live Music Nights at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Live Music Nights at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Stanley

    Sit with us and enjoy live music every Friday, where we welcome a brilliant mix of local musicians from all across the North East to our cosy indoor bar - with a roaring log-burning fire.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2025to11 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Live Music Nights at South Causey Inn
  18. Durham University Chamber Choir.

    Add Durham University Chamber Choir: I Heard a Voice from Heaven to your Itinerary

    Durham University Chamber Choir: I Heard a Voice from Heaven

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    The College, Durham

    Join Durham University Chamber Choir on a journey from prayer to deliverance, bringing together the stunning passion of Łukaszewski's Lamentations with Howells' awe-inspiring Requiem in the Chapter House of the Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Durham University Chamber Choir: I Heard a Voice from Heaven
  19. line drawing of two women knitting

    Add New Skills for the New Year - Knitting and Crochet Classes to your Itinerary

    New Skills for the New Year - Knitting and Crochet Classes

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Bishop Auckland

    For the first several Saturdays of 2026, Petrichor will be devoted to learning new skills and encouraging us all to be a bit more adventurous in our making. Saturdays, booking required.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026to7 Feb 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for New Skills for the New Year - Knitting and Crochet Classes
  20. Bowes Museum team giving a 'Spotlight Tour' to two visitors.

    Add Spotlight Tour - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Spotlight Tour - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Barnard Castle

    A friendly and informative introduction to an exhibition, the collection or building. Led by The Bowes Museum’s team of Visitor Attendants, Curators and Volunteer Tour Guides, join us for an informal 30-minute tour, everyday at 11:00 to find out…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Jan 2025to4 Jan 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Spotlight Tour - The Bowes Museum
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