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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. Steam trains at Tanfield Railway

    Add 300th Birthday Celebrations at Tanfield Railway to your Itinerary

    300th Birthday Celebrations at Tanfield Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Tanfield

    Join us on the 19th and 20th July for as we celebrate 300 years of railway history – making us the world’s oldest railway still in operation.

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025to20 July 2025
    More info for 300th Birthday Celebrations at Tanfield Railway
  2. Aerial view of Raby Castle and grounds

    Add S&DR200: Coal, Canals and Carriages: The Story of Raby and the Railways to your Itinerary

    S&DR200: Coal, Canals and Carriages: The Story of Raby and the Railways

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Staindrop

    Raby Castle will celebrate the year with stories associated with 19th-century inventions, including the reactions of landowners and farmers to trains, as well as how travel evolved into a privilege for the upper classes from their collections.

    Dates

    From:
    28 June 2025to31 Oct 2025Open 11:00 - 16:00
    From:
    3 July 2025to29 Oct 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200: Coal, Canals and Carriages: The Story of Raby and the Railways
  3. A smiling woman in a red outfit stands in a museum storeroom surrounded by intricately carved antique furniture and ornate wooden cabinets

    Add The Curator Series: The Bowes Museum in the 20th Century to your Itinerary

    The Curator Series: The Bowes Museum in the 20th Century

    Type

    Type:

    Lecture

    Barnard Castle

    Discover how The Bowes Museum's collection has changed over time with the influence of 20th century curators, and the wider impact these individuals have had on museums as we know them today in this insightful talk by Dr. Jane Whittaker, Head of…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2025Open 14:30 - 15:30
    More info for The Curator Series: The Bowes Museum in the 20th Century
  4. 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
  5. Singers performing surrounded by candles at Durham Cathedral.

    Add 80s Anthems by Candlelight - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    80s Anthems by Candlelight - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    The College, Durham

    Calling 80s music fans Everywhere… this is your show! 80s Anthems By Candlelight is here, serving up the biggest and best rock anthems, power ballads and pop classics of the decade, live!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Aug 2025to8 Aug 2025Open 19:30 -
    More info for 80s Anthems by Candlelight - Durham Cathedral
  6. Adele Cliff, with hands on hips, smiling.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival - Adele Cliff: Adele, Adele, Adele… Cliff It Isn’t The Consequences Of My Own Actions to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival - Adele Cliff: Adele, Adele, Adele… Cliff It Isn’t The Consequences Of My Own Actions

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Owengate, Durham City

    Fresh from performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Durham Fringe regular and 2023 Leicester Comedy Award Nominee Adele Cliff returns to examine lying, honesty and consequences. The many time Joke of the Fringe nominee, double…

    Dates

    From:
    25 July 2025to27 July 2025Open 21:15 -
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival - Adele Cliff: Adele, Adele, Adele… Cliff It Isn’t The Consequences Of My Own Actions
  7. Two people sawing a log - Beamish Museum

    Add Home Front, Home Farm 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Home Front, Home Farm 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Beamish

    Visit our 1940s Farm to learn about life in the British countryside during the Second World War.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025to21 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Home Front, Home Farm 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  8. Poster advertising walking events, image of the Blue Gentian and the guide with details of walks.

    Add Wildflower Walks for Wellbeing to your Itinerary

    Wildflower Walks for Wellbeing

    Type

    Type:

    Guided Walk

    Wildflower wellbeing walks with Dr Margaret Bradshaw and Dr Geoff Herbert.

    Dates

    From:
    20 July 2025
    From:
    3 Aug 2025
    More info for Wildflower Walks for Wellbeing
  9. Poster advertising the Dodgecamp event showing details of time and dates

    Add Dodgecamp to your Itinerary

    Dodgecamp

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Framwellgate Moor, Durham

    We are running a summer dodgeball camp for kids of all ages and abilities! Anyone is welcome, weather you've played before or not!

    Dates

    From:
    11 Aug 2025to15 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 14:00
    More info for Dodgecamp
  10. View of the riverbanks towards Prebends Bridge.

    Add Riverbanks History Walk - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Riverbanks History Walk - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Event

    The College, Durham

    Discover the hidden history of the woods and riverbanks that form the spectacular setting for the cathedral. Explore their historic features and trace their change from defensive site to Victorian pleasure garden on this 1.5-mile-long walk.

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2025Open 10:30 -
    From:
    30 Aug 2025Open 10:30 -
    From:
    27 Sept 2025Open 10:30 -
    More info for Riverbanks History Walk - Durham Cathedral
  11. Cartoon of a sailor dancing

    Add HMS Pinafore by Illyria to your Itinerary

    HMS Pinafore by Illyria

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham City

    Join us for outdoor summer theatre with sharp dialogue and catchy tunes, this timeless comic opera is performed outdoors by a cast of six outstanding performers from the world of musical theatre, on a spectacular nautical set and using Sir Arthur…

    Venue

    Durham Cathedral, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    17 Aug 2025Open 18:30 - 20:30
    More info for HMS Pinafore by Illyria
  12. Colour floral artwork by Janice Hutchinson.

    Add Janice Hutchinson - Durham University Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    Janice Hutchinson - Durham University Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    Janice Hutchinson, a local artist based in County Durham, resides with her husband Ian, who recently retired from Durham University. She draws inspiration from the beautiful landscapes, meadows, pastures and coastline of the area.

    Dates

    From:
    1 July 2025to28 July 2025Open 10:00 - 16:30
    More info for Janice Hutchinson - Durham University Botanic Garden
  13. Raby Castle and gardens

    Add Much Ado About Nothing - Handlebards - Open Air Theatre at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Much Ado About Nothing - Handlebards - Open Air Theatre at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Staindrop

    Settle in for an unforgettable evening of open-air theatre as the brilliant HandleBards return to Raby Castle with their delightfully chaotic, bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2025Open 18:30 -
    More info for Much Ado About Nothing - Handlebards - Open Air Theatre at Raby Castle
  14. People enjoy looking at a fantastic array of intricate LEGO®️ creations at Durham Brick Show.

    Add Durham Brick Show Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Durham Brick Show Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham

    On the weekend of Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September 2025, feast your eyes on a fantastic array of intricate LEGO®️ creations at Durham Brick Show.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025to14 Sept 2025
    More info for Durham Brick Show Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  15. WOW Women of the World Festival Three women wearing colourful cloaks with WOW logo on the back

    Add S&DR200 Presents WOW North East (Women of the World) International Festival to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 Presents WOW North East (Women of the World) International Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Durham City

    The first ever WOW Festival in the north-east of England will be packed with unmissable talks and performances, celebrating achievements and stories from women, girls, and non-binary people from the region and beyond.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2025to18 Oct 2025
    More info for S&DR200 Presents WOW North East (Women of the World) International Festival
  16. Crook Hall gardens

    Add Live Music at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Live Music at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event

    Local musicians Julie and William bring an extra dimension to the historic gardens and hall with live performances on the third Monday of each month.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Feb 2025to20 Oct 2025
    More info for Live Music at Crook Hall Gardens
  17. Details of event with image of sunflowers straw hat and cane

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

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Sedgefield

    Susan Hall presents memories of Vietnam.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Oct 2025Open 19:15 - 21:15
    More info for Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration
  18. Pete Firman throwing a pack of cards ito the air

    Add Pete Firman "Tricks & Giggles" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Pete Firman "Tricks & Giggles" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    With over 4.5 million social media followers and countless TV appearances under his belt, Pete Firman is the UK's top comic magician.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Pete Firman "Tricks & Giggles" - The Witham
  19. 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:
    5 Aug 2025Open 17:30 - 19:30
    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
  20. Someone making a Christmas Wreath

    Add Wreath Making at Beamish Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Wreath Making at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Indulge with a glass of fizz as you arrive and join us to design and create your own Christmas door wreath or table centrepiece in stunning surroundings.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00
    From:
    30 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    1 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    4 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    More info for Wreath Making at Beamish Hall Hotel
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