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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. Crowds of people watching a performance at the Hardwick Festival

    Add Hardwick Festival 2025 to your Itinerary

    Hardwick Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Sedgefield

    Hardwick Festival returns 15th to 17th August. The 2025 line-up will be revealed soon.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2025to17 Aug 2025
    More info for Hardwick Festival 2025
  2. 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
  3. The Prince Bishop River Cruiser sailing on the River Wear in Durham City with the Cathedral in the background

    Add Durham Brass Festival: BRASS Boat Cruises Always Drinking Marching Band to your Itinerary

    Durham Brass Festival: BRASS Boat Cruises Always Drinking Marching Band

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    This year, Brass Festival will take over the streets…and the water too! Cruise along the River Wear on the Prince Bishop, with our fantastic street bands onboard.

    Dates

    From:
    20 July 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for Durham Brass Festival: BRASS Boat Cruises Always Drinking Marching Band
  4. 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:
    28 June 2025Open 10:30 -
    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
  5. 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:
    1 June 2025to30 Nov 2025
    More info for S&DR200: Coal, Canals and Carriages: The Story of Raby and the Railways
  6. Poster showing an illustrated starry sky reads, 'Finding poetry with Molly Knox and Freya Cook'

    Add Durham Fringe Festival: Finding Poetry to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival: Finding Poetry

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Owengate, Durham City

    Molly Knox and Freya Cook present: 'Finding Poetry' is a intriguing hour of spoken word exploring the different ways poetry unexpectedly weaves itself into people’s lives.

    Dates

    From:
    23 July 2025Open 18:45 -
    From:
    25 July 2025Open 18:45 -
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival: Finding Poetry
  7. Derwent Fest 2025 poster displaying some of the acts

    Add Derwent Fest 2025 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Edmundbyers

    A weekend festival of live tribute music, food and drink, and children’s activities and entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, and enjoy some fun, quality time together.

    Venue

    Derwent Waterside Park, Shotley Bridge

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2025to16 Aug 2025
    More info for Derwent Fest 2025
  8. 'Much Ado About Nothing' - The Handlebards. Illustration of a woman on a bicycle.

    Add The HandleBards: Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' (Outdoor Theatre) - Wharton Park to your Itinerary

    The HandleBards: Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' (Outdoor Theatre) - Wharton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    The HandleBards return to Wharton Park in summer 2025. Make the most of the early bird offer, tickets make a great Christmas gift. Book here for The Handlebards. - make the most of the early bird offer - visit and search for Wharton Park.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2025Open 18:30 -
    More info for The HandleBards: Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' (Outdoor Theatre) - Wharton Park
  9. 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
  10. Durham Book Festival Logo

    Durham Book Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Durham Book Festival

    Durham

    Durham Book Festival is one of the country’s oldest literary festivals, taking place in and around Durham City, returning this year on 10th to 12th October.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2025to12 Oct 2025
    More info for Durham Book Festival 2025
  11. Golden sculpture

    Add LGBTQIA+ Tour to your Itinerary

    LGBTQIA+ Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Explore the Bowes’ collection in a captivating new tour for 2025, highlighting a selection of objects and artworks with LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) stories spanning from Ancient Greece to the 20th…

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025Open 15:00 - 15:30
    From:
    25 July 2025Open 15:00 - 15:30
    From:
    29 Aug 2025Open 15:00 - 15:30
    From:
    26 Sept 2025Open 15:00 - 15:30
    From:
    31 Oct 2025Open 15:00 - 15:30
    From:
    28 Nov 2025Open 15:00 - 15:30
    More info for LGBTQIA+ Tour
  12. A model of a boat at The Oriental Museum

    Add Ride the Wave at The Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Ride the Wave at The Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Spot the boats in the museum and make 3D sea sculpture.

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    5 July 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Ride the Wave at The Oriental Museum
  13. Stanley Street Food Market logo includes image of a pizza

    Add Stanley Street Food Market to your Itinerary

    Stanley Street Food Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Stanley

    Launching on Friday, April 11th, the markets will take place bi-monthly on the second Friday, bringing together delicious street food, local businesses, and a lively social atmosphere.

    Dates

    From:
    8 Aug 2025Open 15:00 -
    From:
    10 Oct 2025Open 15:00 -
    More info for Stanley Street Food Market
  14. Merryoaks Community Hall Coffee Morning, mugs/cups in various colours

    Add Merryoaks Community Hall Coffee Morning to your Itinerary

    Merryoaks Community Hall Coffee Morning

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Durham

    Come and meet others in your local community, in the warm and accessible surroundings of Merryoaks Community Hall. See what is available, and let us know what you would like to see happening at the Hall. Along with the chance for a cuppa, some cake…

    Dates

    From:
    5 July 2025Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Merryoaks Community Hall Coffee Morning
  15. Close up of vegetables at market stall. Person standing next to veg.

    Add Consett Market to your Itinerary

    Consett Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Consett

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Consett Market
  16. Art installation beside New Hall at Locomotion

    Add S&DR200 Public Art Commissions at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 Public Art Commissions at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    As part of the S&DR200 celebrations, two special public art installations will be unveiled in 2025, each capturing a unique story of the Stockton & Darlington Railway’s legacy and its connection to the community.

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2025to30 Sept 2025
    More info for S&DR200 Public Art Commissions at Locomotion
  17. A colourful teapot with peacock feathers painted onto it.

    Add Be You at The Bowes - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Be You at The Bowes - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Barnard Castle

    Be You at The Bowes is a LGBTQIA+ co-production working group is the first of its kind at the Museum, teaming up with regional partners and working as a community to learn from one another and grow together. The group will investigate…

    Dates

    From:
    24 June 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    8 July 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    22 July 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    5 Aug 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    19 Aug 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    2 Sept 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    16 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    30 Sept 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    14 Oct 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    28 Oct 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    11 Nov 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    25 Nov 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    From:
    9 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 20:00
    More info for Be You at The Bowes - The Bowes Museum
  18. The Prince Bishop River Cruiser sailing on the River Wear in Durham City with the Cathedral in the background

    Add Durham Brass Festival: BRASS Boat Cruises Mr Wilson’s Second Liners to your Itinerary

    Durham Brass Festival: BRASS Boat Cruises Mr Wilson’s Second Liners

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    This year, Brass Festival will take over the streets…and the water too! Cruise along the River Wear on the Prince Bishop, with our fantastic street bands onboard.

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2025Open 12:00 -
    More info for Durham Brass Festival: BRASS Boat Cruises Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
  19. Artwork relating to beasts and legends on display at Palace Green Library. Silhouette of knights and dragons.

    Add Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore to your Itinerary

    Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham

    This family friendly exhibition features a selection of artefacts from across the Durham University collections to help tell the stories of local folktales. 

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2025to2 Nov 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore
  20. Chinese Stone Mask

    Add Fakes and Forgeries at The Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Fakes and Forgeries at The Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Be a detective and hunt down some objects that might not be exactly what they seem and make one of your own.

    Venue

    Durham University Oriental Museum, Durham City

    Dates

    From:
    30 July 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Fakes and Forgeries at The Oriental Museum
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