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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. S&DR 200 logo

    S&DR200 Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    The 27 September 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR), which gave birth to the modern railway. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, the nine-month S&DR200 Festival will take place across…

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2025to31 May 2026
    More info for S&DR200 Festival
  2. Poster showing detail of event with images of a fairground and bus made from Lego.

    Add Lego Story Workshop to your Itinerary

    Lego Story Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Seaside Lane, Easington

    Story themed Lego workshop at Easington Library for children , Thursday 26th February 10.30-11.30am.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Feb 2026Open 10:30 - 11:30
    More info for Lego Story Workshop
  3. A child doing a science experiment.

    Add Big Science to your Itinerary

    Big Science

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Meadowfield

    Science experiments for over 5's.

    Dates

    From:
    21 June 2026Open 11:00 - 11:45
    More info for Big Science
  4. outer space galaxy

    North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is returning for 2026 – running between Friday 16 October and Sunday 1 November.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival 2026
  5. ‘Untold Stories’ What Artefacts Can Tell Us about Women in the Past with Caroline Smith - Women of the Northeast: Past, Present and Future

    Add ‘Untold Stories’ What Artefacts Can Tell Us about Women in the Past with Caroline Smith - Women of the Northeast: Past, Present and Future to your Itinerary

    ‘Untold Stories’ What Artefacts Can Tell Us about Women in the Past with Caroline Smith - Women of the Northeast: Past, Present and Future

    Type

    Type:

    International Womens Day

    Barnard Castle

    Join Caroline Smith, Finds Liaison Assistant, for a glimpse into the everyday lives of women in the past, from prehistory to the present day.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Mar 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for ‘Untold Stories’ What Artefacts Can Tell Us about Women in the Past with Caroline Smith - Women of the Northeast: Past, Present and Future
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. Zog at Gala Durham

    Add Zog at Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Zog at Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham City , Durham

    Families can look forward to the return of Zog to County Durham this half-term.

    Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic, feel-good story will be brought to roaring, soaring life in a delightful musical for children at Gala Durham. From Tuesday…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Feb 2026to26 Feb 2026
    More info for Zog at Gala Durham
  9. Photography by Claire Collinson. Larger-than-life, soft recreations of an animal

    Add Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    See the museum’s renowned ceramic collection re-imagined into a vibrant and interactive experience for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Pippa Hale: Pet Project - The Bowes Museum
  10. Wine and a selection of scones and jams.

    Add Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force to your Itinerary

    Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force

    Type

    Type:

    Food Events

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Monday - Saturday Celebrate in the heart of Upper Teesdale with our cosy Fireside Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force
  11. Durham Cathedral

    Add February half term activities at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    February half term activities at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Enjoy a day out at Durham Cathedral and enjoy colouring activities, alongside free family-friendly mini tours of Durham Cathedral - celebrating 40 years as a UNESCO world heritage site!

    Free Mini Tours

    Monday 23 February - Friday 27 February,…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Feb 2026to1 Mar 2026
    More info for February half term activities at Durham Cathedral
  12. Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher

    Add Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher at Ushaw to your Itinerary

    Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher at Ushaw

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham

    The intuitive musical interplay between Kathryn and Amy is born out of a long-standing creative friendship. Kathryn’s pipes marry beautifully with Amy’s exquisite accordion playing.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Mar 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher at Ushaw
  13. group of people in colours t shirts smiling at camera inside Locomotion museum.

    Add Be a Record Breaker to your Itinerary

    Be a Record Breaker

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Join in with our "Do the Locomotion" GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ official attempt!

    On Thursday 26 February we are planning to do our very own special record-breaking attempt for the greatest number of people simultaneously performing the “Locomotion”…

    Dates

    From:
    26 Feb 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Be a Record Breaker
  14. Three wedding dresses, part of the exhibition at Ushaw, Historic House, Chapels and Gardens.

    Add 150 Years of Wedding Dresses at Ushaw to your Itinerary

    150 Years of Wedding Dresses at Ushaw

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    150 Years of Wedding Dresses showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and evolving trends that have defined one of the most memorable days in countless lives.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to30 Aug 2026
    More info for 150 Years of Wedding Dresses at Ushaw
  15. Jelly What Cupcakes - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Add Jelly What Cupcakes - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Jelly What Cupcakes - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Lanchester

    Join us and Craftily Ever After for our very first Jelly What Cupcakes class where we will create 2 Jelly What cupcakes along with container decoration to take your creations home.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2026Open 10:00 - 10:45
    More info for Jelly What Cupcakes - Lanchester Garden Centre
  16. Little girl and boy participating in 'Little Dragons' at Durham University Oriental Museum.

    Add Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham City

    Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Jan 2026to30 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum
  17. 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
  18. Gordon Buchanan standing in front of a lake.

    Add Lions and Tigers and Bears with Gordon Buchanan - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Lions and Tigers and Bears with Gordon Buchanan - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    Due to phenomenal demand, award winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker Gordon Buchanan will hit the road again in 2026, continuing the success of his biggest ever live tour - Lions and Tigers and Bears.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Feb 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Lions and Tigers and Bears with Gordon Buchanan - Gala Durham
  19. A flower arrangement made up of white flowers.

    Add Cestrian Flower Club to your Itinerary

    Cestrian Flower Club

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Chester-Le-Street

    Flower arranging demonstration by Marion Hinchley titled "Summer Time".

    Dates

    From:
    7 May 2026Open 18:45 - 21:00
    More info for Cestrian Flower Club
  20. Ariel view of Wolsingham Show

    Add Wolsingham Show 2026 to your Itinerary

    Wolsingham Show 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Wolsingham

    Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2026to6 Sept 2026
    More info for Wolsingham Show 2026
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