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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. The Pitman's Parliament room in Redhills Miners Hall

    Add Discover Redhills: Past, Present and Future Guided Tour to your Itinerary

    Discover Redhills: Past, Present and Future Guided Tour

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Durham City

    Whether you’re passionate about Durham’s coalfield heritage, curious about social change, or simply looking for a unique experience, a Redhills tour offers a rare insight into the power of community and solidarity.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Jan 2026Open 12:00 - 13:30
    From:
    21 Jan 2026Open 11:00 - 12:30
    From:
    31 Jan 2026Open 12:00 - 13:30
    From:
    4 Feb 2026Open 12:00 - 13:30
    From:
    14 Feb 2026Open 12:00 - 13:30
    From:
    17 Feb 2026Open 13:00 - 14:30
    From:
    28 Feb 2026Open 12:00 - 13:30
    From:
    4 Mar 2026Open 16:00 - 17:30
    From:
    15 Mar 2026Open 12:00 - 13:30
    More info for Discover Redhills: Past, Present and Future Guided Tour
  2. Table laid for a banquet at Lumley Castle.

    Add New Year's Eve Elizabethan Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    New Year's Eve Elizabethan Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    New Years Eve

    Chester le Street

    Come and step back into a world of gallant knights, gracious ladies, feasting and merriment in the candlelit setting reminiscent of days gone by. Enjoy the singing and humour presented by the Court Chamberlain, Herald, Musicians and Ladies of the…

    Dates

    From:
    31 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 02:00
    More info for New Year's Eve Elizabethan Banquet - Lumley Castle Hotel
  3. A couple on their wedding day posing for a photo at Beamish Hall Country Hotel

    Beamish Hall Country House Hotel Wedding Fair

    Type

    Type:

    Wedding Fairs and Events

    Stanley

    Official Luxury Wedding Fair on Sunday 8th February 2026. A Beautiful Wedding Venue & An Amazing Array of The Very Best Local Wedding Suppliers Exhibiting.

    Dates

    From:
    8 Feb 2026Open 12:00 - 15:00
    More info for Beamish Hall Country House Hotel Wedding Fair
  4. A Robin perched on a wooden sculpture.

    Add Father Christmas has Lost his Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas has Lost his Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest in Teesdale

    Wrap up warm and enjoy a wintery walk to High Force Waterfall this December. Collect your complimentary trail sheet from the hotel bar or kiosk and get exploring.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Father Christmas has Lost his Presents Trail at High Force Waterfall
  5. Silhouette of a person photographing The Milky Way from the hillside

    Add Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    Due to popular demand, we have laid on this exclusive event to educate the little ones on all things spacey!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    7 Feb 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    From:
    21 Feb 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Family Astronomy - Grassholme Observatory
  6. Peter Miskin showing a guest how to prepare seafood.

    Add Seafood Masterclass with Executive Chef Peter Miskin to your Itinerary

    Seafood Masterclass with Executive Chef Peter Miskin

    Type

    Type:

    Master Class

    Stanley

    Learn to prepare, cook, and enjoy the finest seafood, with Executive Chef, Peter Miskin...

    Discover the secrets of preparing and cooking the finest seafood in this exclusive hands-on masterclass at South Causey Inn, led by our Executive Chef, Peter…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Jan 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Seafood Masterclass with Executive Chef Peter Miskin
  7. Festive illustration of horse carriage rides at South Causey Inn, with silhouette of Santa and his reindeer flying across the sky.

    Add Santa's Horse Carriage Rides at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Santa's Horse Carriage Rides at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Santa’s Magical Horse Carriage Rides, an experience for all the family...

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Santa's Horse Carriage Rides at South Causey Inn
  8. Exterior view of St. Brandon's Church.

    Add Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico to your Itinerary

    Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    For their traditional summer concert, the Durham Singers are taking their audiences on a sunny trip to South America. The festive theme for the concert comes from Mexican rhythms and colours of traditional and contemporary choral music.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico
  9. Fairy lights outside of South Causey Inn.

    Add Christmas Wreath Workshops at South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Christmas Wreath Workshops at South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Handmade by you, cherished all season long...Add a touch of homemade charm to your Christmas with our Festive Wreath Workshop at South Causey Inn — a magical way to kick off the season and craft a beautiful, personalised wreath to adorn your home.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Dec 2025Open 17:00 -
    More info for Christmas Wreath Workshops at South Causey Inn
  10. Two girls drawing at the Young Artists' Club - The Auckland Project

    Add No.42 - Young Artists’ Club - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    No.42 - Young Artists’ Club - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Bishop Auckland

    Discover the works of great artists throughout history, and create your own pieces of art. Thursdays.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for No.42 - Young Artists’ Club - The Auckland Project
  11. 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
  12. Durham Cathedral's organ.

    Add Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Olivier Messiaen’s great organ work reflecting on the story of Jesus’s nativity performed on one of the country’s great cathedral organs by Daniel Cook and interspersed with readings from scripture. This recital is offered prayerfully and free of…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Jan 2026Open 17:30 -
    More info for Messiaen’s La Nativité du Seigneur - Durham Cathedral
  13. Martin and Eliza Carthy

    Add Martin & Eliza Carthy to your Itinerary

    Martin & Eliza Carthy

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    This powerhouse pair are still making music together, as they always have. Together, they perform an eclectic range of songs and tunes from their vast family repertoire.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Feb 2026Open 19:45 - 22:30
    More info for Martin & Eliza Carthy
  14. Two glasses of champagne with a stand spelling out BINGO in gold letters and gold ribbon.

    Add Boozy Bingo Bash to your Itinerary

    Boozy Bingo Bash

    Type

    Type:

    Participatory Event

    Beamish

    Eyes down for a night of hilarious bingo, crazy games, and plenty of booze! The perfect recipe for a memorable night out with friends or work colleagues.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 23:59
    More info for Boozy Bingo Bash
  15. Santa placing presents under the tree.

    Add Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Share a magical morning with the big man himself! 
    We’ve  teamed up with Make My Day Events to bring you the ultimate  Christmas experience – a festive breakfast filled with sparkle,  songs, and a sprinkle of Santa magic.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    22 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    More info for Breakfast with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel
  16. Simon Brodkin

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Simon Brodkin - Work In Progress to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Simon Brodkin - Work In Progress

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Hot off the back of his smash hit UK tour, and three incredible, sold-out nights at London's Hammersmith Apollo, Simon Brodkin is back and better than ever!

    Dates

    From:
    10 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Simon Brodkin - Work In Progress
  17. A cartoon image of children and adults enjoying an outdoor activity at Auckland Palace Deer Park

    Add Hearth Outdoors at Auckland Palace Deer Park to your Itinerary

    Hearth Outdoors at Auckland Palace Deer Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A free, welcoming programme of nature-based activities designed to help you feel good, connect with others, and explore the green spaces of Auckland Palace Deer Park.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Hearth Outdoors at Auckland Palace Deer Park
  18. child poses with ice culture and flame lit torch outside Durham Cathedral.

    Add Fire and Ice Durham to your Itinerary

    Fire and Ice Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Experience the magic of Fire and Ice in Durham, a spectacular winter event transforming Durham City into a captivating wonderland.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Feb 2026to28 Feb 2026
    More info for Fire and Ice Durham
  19. Aurora Borealis over Grassholme

    Add Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    The event will begin with a personal welcome from our astronomer, Gary Fildes. Gary is a very experienced science communicator and astronomer, and founder of the Kielder Observatory, where he was Director and CEO for over 11 years.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Jan 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    4 Feb 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    From:
    22 Feb 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory
  20. Wellbeing equipment in preparation for wellness treatments.

    Add Wellbeing Retreats - Crux Fitness to your Itinerary

    Wellbeing Retreats - Crux Fitness

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Stanley

    Our wellbeing retreats are a unique experience providing skills and techniques to help reset your nervous system and tackle the stresses of every day life.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026Open 10:00 -
    From:
    15 Aug 2026Open 10:00 -
    More info for Wellbeing Retreats - Crux Fitness
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