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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. Old drawing of Durham Cathedral

    Add A Treasure and a Legacy: Conservation at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    A Treasure and a Legacy: Conservation at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham City

    As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Durham Cathedral being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, delve deeper into the architecture and how people have cared for the building over the centuries.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Mar 2026to28 June 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
    More info for A Treasure and a Legacy: Conservation at Durham Cathedral
  2. Trains at Locomotion

    Add Festival of Steam at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Festival of Steam at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    A celebration of steam traction, featuring storytelling with Caroline Hardie.

    Dates

    From:
    2 May 2026to4 May 2026
    More info for Festival of Steam at Locomotion
  3. The Story at Mount Oswald

    Add Playful Paths: Adventure Hunts to your Itinerary

    Playful Paths: Adventure Hunts

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    South Road, Durham

    We’re going on an Adventure Hunt – will you come and play?

    Dates

    From:
    11 Apr 2026to12 Apr 2026Open 10:00 -
    From:
    16 Apr 2026Open 10:00 -
    More info for Playful Paths: Adventure Hunts
  4. 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
  5. A Guided Bluebell Walk. A bluebell wood at Raby Castle.

    Add A Guided Bluebell Walk to your Itinerary

    A Guided Bluebell Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Staindrop

    Experience the enchanting beauty of spring with the Bluebell Walk at Raby Castle. Hike uphill through the castle's picturesque woodlands, where vibrant carpets of bluebells create a breathtaking natural display.

    Dates

    From:
    30 Apr 2026to10 May 2026
    More info for A Guided Bluebell Walk
  6. 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:
    18 Apr 2026
    From:
    16 May 2026
    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
  7. Big Science - illustration of an explosion and test tubes.

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

    Big "Easter Physics" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Lanchester

    Join us this Easter for our very first Big Easter Physics Workshop where the children will explore energy and forces with an Easter theme. The children will make Easter bunnies stretch, jump and even fly. All the children will get to take home what…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 11:30 - 12:30
    More info for Big "Easter Physics" Science Workshop - Lanchester Garden Centre
  8. Music of Bruce Springsteen concert

    Add The Music Of Bruce Springsteen By Candlelight to your Itinerary

    The Music Of Bruce Springsteen By Candlelight

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Calling all Hungry Hearts… it's time to get your motor runnin'! The Music of Bruce Springsteen by Candlelight is rolling into town and guaranteed to have you Dancing In The Dark!

    Dates

    From:
    23 Apr 2026to24 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 22:00
    More info for The Music Of Bruce Springsteen By Candlelight
  9. Text reads, 'Tricks & Traitors' Murder Mystery Dinner, with a background image of the Manor House Hotel & Spa entrance.

    Add Tricks & Traitors - Murder Mystery Dinner | Manor House Hotel & Spa to your Itinerary

    Tricks & Traitors - Murder Mystery Dinner | Manor House Hotel & Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Murder Mystery

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    A Game of Lies. A Crime of Opportunity.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Apr 2026Open 19:00 - 23:45
    More info for Tricks & Traitors - Murder Mystery Dinner | Manor House Hotel & Spa
  10. 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
  11. Two children with the Easter Bunny who is carrying a basket full of chocolate eggs.

    Add Easter at Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    Easter at Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Brasside, Durham

    Adventure Valley in Durham is preparing to welcome families once again for its exciting ‘Easter Holidays’ event. Running from Friday 3rd April until Sunday 19th April 2026 inclusive, the springtime celebration promises a full day of adventure,…

    Dates

    From:
    3 Apr 2026to19 Apr 2026
    More info for Easter at Adventure Valley
  12. A model railway including train and station.

    Add Magnificent Models Weekend at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Magnificent Models Weekend at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    See the wonderful world of railways in miniature at this fantastic free event, delivered in partnership with Locomotion Models.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026to17 May 2026
    More info for Magnificent Models Weekend at Locomotion
  13. Scouting for Girls concert poster with image of Durham Cathedral.

    Add Scouting For Girls Live in Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Scouting For Girls Live in Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Scouting For Girls will be performing their greatest hits live in Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2026Open 19:45 - 22:00
    More info for Scouting For Girls Live in Durham Cathedral
  14. Hoedown Showdown 'Sip and Paint' poster. Someone painting a floral design onto a cowboy hat.

    Add Sip and Paint: Cowboy Hat - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Sip and Paint: Cowboy Hat - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Join us at the Curlew Café, High Farm Holiday Park for a fun Country & Western themed creative evening with Teesdale Felt.
    Decorate and paint your own cowboy hat and create something completely unique while enjoying a relaxed night out.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Apr 2026Open 18:00 - 22:00
    More info for Sip and Paint: Cowboy Hat - High Farm Holiday Park
  15. Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Add Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Chester-Le-Street

    Lumley Castle Hotel at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will be the backdrop for Opulence, running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September.

    While the big-name performers are not being unveiled until later this month, organisers have promised it will…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026
    More info for Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel
  16. 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
  17. Tom McGuinness, The Hewer, 1980s, oil on board. Gemini Collection, Zurbarán Trust

    Add Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery to your Itinerary

    Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    Our new Tom McGuinness exhibition opens on 18 February 2026. In his centenary year, the Mining Art Gallery celebrates this quiet man who communicated through his art – he did not seek simply to record details of the mining industry but expressed…

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to24 Dec 2026
    More info for Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery
  18. Colourful houses lining a canal with small boats and reflections in the water in Burano, Venice, Italy

    Add Evening Language Courses - The Centre for Foreign Language Study to your Itinerary

    Evening Language Courses - The Centre for Foreign Language Study

    Type

    Type:

    Lecture

    Elvet Riverside, New Elvet

    Yearly, October – April: The Centre for Foreign Language Study at Durham University offers evening language courses which are open to all. Languages available include Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian,…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Apr 2026to26 June 2026
    From:
    12 Oct 2026to11 Dec 2026
    From:
    18 Jan 2027to19 Mar 2027
    More info for Evening Language Courses - The Centre for Foreign Language Study
  19. Portrait photographer of Tunde

    Add Tunde of Lighthouse Family Live to your Itinerary

    Tunde of Lighthouse Family Live

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Hear Pop-Soul Singer, Tunde, of Lighthouse Family perform live with a full band.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Tunde of Lighthouse Family Live
  20. 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
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