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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. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Passport to Nature: Wildfowl Identification to your Itinerary

    Passport to Nature: Wildfowl Identification

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sedgefield

    As autumn fades and winter takes hold, there's no better time to discover the fascinating world of wildfowl at Hardwick Park.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Oct 2025Open 07:00 - 09:00
    More info for Passport to Nature: Wildfowl Identification
  2. A Christmas Wreath with a pink ribbon

    Add Christmas Wreath Making to your Itinerary

    Christmas Wreath Making

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Get ready to deck your halls with boughs of holly as we dive into the wonderful world of Christmas wreath making.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025Open 13:00 - 17:00
    More info for Christmas Wreath Making
  3. Headshot of Hal Cruttenden wearing a suit and smiling.

    Add Hal Cruttenden "Can Dish It Out But Can't Take It" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Hal Cruttenden "Can Dish It Out But Can't Take It" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Hal is back with a brand-new tour with a show that promises to stick it to 'The Man', as long as 'The Man' doesn't stick it back to him.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Nov 2025Open 20:00 - 22:00
    More info for Hal Cruttenden "Can Dish It Out But Can't Take It" - The Witham
  4. People cleaning up Horden beach.

    Add Horden Beach Clean to your Itinerary

    Horden Beach Clean

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event

    Horden, Peterlee

    Join us for a beach clean at Horden Beach and help keep our coast litter free! 

    Dates

    From:
    14 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Horden Beach Clean
  5. Illustration of a Masquerade Ball

    Add Eve Valentine's Masquerade Ball - Manor House Hotel & Spa, West Auckland to your Itinerary

    Eve Valentine's Masquerade Ball - Manor House Hotel & Spa, West Auckland

    Type

    Type:

    Valentines Day

    West Auckland, Bishop Auckland

    Step into a night of mystery and thrill at our Eve Valentine's Masquerade Ball, co-hosted by the one and only Dean Midas! This exclusive event is inspired by the chilling, award-winning short slasher films shot in the same building by Dean Midas…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Feb 2026Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for Eve Valentine's Masquerade Ball - Manor House Hotel & Spa, West Auckland
  6. Silver Charm Bracelets

    Add Silver Charm Bracelet Workshop & Cream Tea - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Silver Charm Bracelet Workshop & Cream Tea - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Bargate Bank, Lanchester

    A jewellery making workshop with Simply Smallholding is an experience to remember.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Oct 2025Open 13:45 - 17:00
    More info for Silver Charm Bracelet Workshop & Cream Tea - Lanchester Garden Centre
  7. poster with details of market with an image of 61 Durham in the background

    Add GNB - 61 Durham Weekly Market to your Itinerary

    GNB - 61 Durham Weekly Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    High Pittington

    61 Weekly Market, every Wednesday.

    Dates

    From:
    7 May 2025to29 Oct 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for GNB - 61 Durham Weekly Market
  8. Black and white photo of St. Michael and All Angel's Church in Hawthorn

    Add Diane Rowe - The History of Hawthorn - Seaham Library to your Itinerary

    Diane Rowe - The History of Hawthorn - Seaham Library

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Seaham

    Join local historian Diane Rowe for a talk on the history and geography of the Hawthorn settlement from the 880s to the present day. 

    Dates

    From:
    22 Sept 2025Open 10:30 -
    More info for Diane Rowe - The History of Hawthorn - Seaham Library
  9. A face carved from wood

    Add Family Activities: Fab Faces - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Fab Faces - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Spot the intricately carved wooden face, roots and all, and make your own fantastical face collage.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Fab Faces - Durham University Oriental Museum
  10. Kids Kayaking at Seaham Harbour Marina

    Add Adventure Camp to your Itinerary

    Adventure Camp

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    The Waterside, Seaham

    A full afternoon of activities for kids ages 8-16.

    Venue

    Seaham Harbour Marina, Seaham

    Dates

    From:
    20 Aug 2025Open 12:00 -
    From:
    27 Aug 2025Open 12:00 -
    More info for Adventure Camp
  11. Marian Art in Durham Cathedral (artwork showing depiction of Mary).

    Add Marian Art in Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Marian Art in Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    The College, Durham

    Join Professor Jane Heath from the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University on this specially curated tour of the Marian Art in Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2025Open 11:00 -
    From:
    20 Sept 2025Open 11:00 -
    From:
    22 Nov 2025Open 11:00 -
    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for Marian Art in Durham Cathedral
  12. 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
  13. Ancient Egyptian cat coffin.

    Add Family Activities: Good Cat, Bad Cat - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Good Cat, Bad Cat - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Learn about the Ancient Egyptian gods Sekmet and Bastet and make a colourful lion spinner.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Good Cat, Bad Cat - Durham University Oriental Museum
  14. Agnes Barnes standing with her hands on her hips in front of images of a smiley face, a German flag, and childhood photos.

    Add Angela Barnes ANGST - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Angela Barnes ANGST - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    A brand-new stand-up show from Angela Barnes, star of Mock The Week and Live at The Apollo. Angela is a worrier. Whatever it is, she'll worry about it. But don't let that worry you – she'll worry enough for the both of you.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Sept 2025Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Angela Barnes ANGST - The Witham
  15. Staff and children dressed up as Vikings at Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Add Viking Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Viking Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham

    On Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 September head to Ushaw for their Viking Weekend where history comes alive!

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2025to28 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Viking Weekend - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  16. Eko, a giant 13ft puppet

    Add The Bishop Auckland Family Festival 2025 to your Itinerary

    The Bishop Auckland Family Festival 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    An exciting weekend packed with hands-on creative workshops, entertainment, building competitions and activities that encourage imagination and play for people of all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2025to17 Aug 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for The Bishop Auckland Family Festival 2025
  17. Classic cars on display at Beamish Museum - Copyright Beamish Museum

    Add Classic Car Rally Weekend 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Classic Car Rally Weekend 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Beamish

    See an impressive array of vehicles at the museum during our popular Classic Car Rally, on the museum’s Events Field.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2025to28 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Classic Car Rally Weekend 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  18. Crowds enjoying food at Chester-le-EATS. Image credit: Gareth Williams Photo & Film

    Add Chester-le-EATS 2025 to your Itinerary

    Chester-le-EATS 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink Festival

    Chester le Street

    Chester-le-EATS Festival Returns to Durham Cricket With An Exciting New Line-Up

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2025to28 Sept 2025Open 11:00 - 17:00
    More info for Chester-le-EATS 2025
  19. The Bowes Museum and grounds

    Add Parkland Play - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Parkland Play - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Explore the museum with our spotting and drawing activities and enjoy our outside spaces with the Pocket Parkland Playbook, specially designed to help you get creative with the natural materials around you. All available from reception.

    Dates

    From:
    1 May 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Parkland Play - The Bowes Museum
  20. Flowers in Auckland Palace Garden

    Add Auckland Gardens Tour at Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    Auckland Gardens Tour at Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Bishop Auckland

    Join our weekly ‘walk and talk’ sessions with our dedicated volunteers as they reveal the story behind the gardens and highlight special features. Wednesday and Saturday.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Auckland Gardens Tour at Auckland Palace
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