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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. Crook Hall gardens

    Add Axe throwing with B Outdoors: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Axe throwing with B Outdoors: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Channel your inner warrior with family-friendly axe throwing. Ready to test your aim? Step up, take a deep breath, and hurl your axe!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Aug 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Axe throwing with B Outdoors: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens
  2. Someone partaking in an 'Artist Makers' session at The Bowes Museum

    Add Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Make time for making; join in and get creative. An opportunity to try out new techniques, materials and experiment with the Museum’s team of artists, makers and designers in the Create Space.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Jan 2025to3 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Artist Makers - The Bowes Museum
  3. advert for Christmas 80s & 90s party

    Add Christmas Smash Hits 80s & 90s Party to your Itinerary

    Christmas Smash Hits 80s & 90s Party

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Peterlee

    It's time to rewind the clock and turn up the volume at the Christmas Smash Hits Party Night – your ultimate throwback festive bash!

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025Open 15:00 - 19:00
    More info for Christmas Smash Hits 80s & 90s Party
  4. Korean brooches made by artist Seeun Kim.

    Add Family Activities: Brooch Making Workshop - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Brooch Making Workshop - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Take inspiration from the heavenly Korean jewellery on display made artist Seeun Kim and make your own brooch.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Aug 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Brooch Making Workshop - Durham University Oriental Museum
  5. Locomotive outside of Locomotion's Collection Building

    Add S&DR200 - Rail Futures at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Rail Futures at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    A chance to visit a mobile exhibition train that looks at the railway and freight industry, showcasing how rail transport can help address future challenges.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2025to1 Oct 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Rail Futures at Locomotion
  6. Railway 200 logo

    Add Railway 200: Shildon Railway Themed Flower Festival to your Itinerary

    Railway 200: Shildon Railway Themed Flower Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Shildon

    The Churches of Shildon in County Durham will be holding a railway themed flower festival on Friday 5th Sept 2025 between 10am & 3pm.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2025
    More info for Railway 200: Shildon Railway Themed Flower Festival
  7. A selection of images of children painting and enjoying craft activities

    Add Wildlife Watch - Rainton Meadows to your Itinerary

    Wildlife Watch - Rainton Meadows

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Houghton le Spring

    If your child cares about nature, loves exploring wild places, learning all about wildlife and making new friends, then Watch is for you!

    Dates

    From:
    31 Aug 2025Open 13:30 - 15:30
    More info for Wildlife Watch - Rainton Meadows
  8. A brass band performing in the 1900s Town Bandstand at Beamish Museum with crowds watching.

    Add Brass Bands - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Brass Bands - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Beamish

    Tap your foot along to the sound of brass bands at Beamish Museum, who will be performing tunes in The 1900s Town bandstand from 2pm - 4pm. 

    Dates

    From:
    26 July 2025to7 Sept 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Brass Bands - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  9. 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
  10. Artwork on display

    Add Art Exhibition to your Itinerary

    Art Exhibition

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Lanchester

    The annual exhibition of artwork by Lanchester Art Group with many paintings for sale.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Oct 2025to19 Oct 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Art Exhibition
  11. Shanties along the Rails with images of coal mine shaft and wheel, railway and ship

    Add Shanties Along the Rails to your Itinerary

    Shanties Along the Rails

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Shanties Along the Rails: Coal, Rail & Sail, a special S&DR200 celebration event.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Sept 2025Open 19:00 - 22:30
    More info for Shanties Along the Rails
  12. S&DR Fringe logo

    S&DR200 - Festival Fringe

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    The Fringe Festival will include events created by community organisations, local businesses and heritage partners.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Mar 2025to30 Nov 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Festival Fringe
  13. Poster displaying details of event, location, dates, time, etc

    Add Exhibition: Celebrating Local Amateur and Junior Football over the Decades at Brancepeth Castle to your Itinerary

    Exhibition: Celebrating Local Amateur and Junior Football over the Decades at Brancepeth Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Brancepeth

    ​​​​​​An opportunity to look back at the history and heyday of amateur and junior football in this part of County Durham

    Dates

    From:
    17 Aug 2025Open 12:00 - 16:00
    From:
    24 Aug 2025Open 12:00 - 16:00
    More info for Exhibition: Celebrating Local Amateur and Junior Football over the Decades at Brancepeth Castle
  14. A selection of fused glass Christmas decorations - Christmas trees, gingerbread biscuits, snowmen

    Add Christmas Fused Glass Workshop & Festive Refreshments - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Christmas Fused Glass Workshop & Festive Refreshments - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Bargate Bank, Lanchester

    Have you ever fancied trying a fused glass workshop? Join us and Julie's Hand Crafted Glass for our Christmas Fused Glass Workshop.

    Dates

    From:
    8 Nov 2025Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Fused Glass Workshop & Festive Refreshments - Lanchester Garden Centre
  15. 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
  16. The Story exterior

    Add Heritage Open Days - The Story to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - The Story

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    South Road, Durham

    Behind the scenes access, site tours, and collection items to view.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Sept 2025Open 11:00 - 14:45
    From:
    21 Sept 2025Open 11:00 - 14:45
    More info for Heritage Open Days - The Story
  17. A portrait  of Joséphine Bowes

    Add Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Discover the timeless elegance, craftsmanship and innovation of Joséphine Bowes’ textile collection.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Mar 2025to31 Mar 2026
    More info for Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum
  18. Stone font at St Mary the Virgin Church

    Add Heritage Open Days - St Mary the Virgin, Easington to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - St Mary the Virgin, Easington

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Easington Village, Peterlee

    A 12th century Parish Church, with evidence of Saxon origins. The building contains Medieval pieces.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    From:
    20 Sept 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - St Mary the Virgin, Easington
  19. Children exploring the Maize Maze at Thorpe Farm Centre

    Add Maize Maze to your Itinerary

    Maize Maze

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Embark on an exciting hunt through our 4-acre trail. Our Maize Maze is brand new for 2025 with twists, turns and dead ends!!

    Dates

    From:
    28 July 2025to21 Sept 2025Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for Maize Maze
  20. HST charter at Stanhope Station - Credit Dan Millard

    Add InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST) at The Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST) at The Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Station Road, Stanhope

    Railway fans and families are in for a treat this summer as the legendary InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST) makes a rare appearance on the scenic Weardale Railway.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    17 Aug 2025
    More info for InterCity 125 High Speed Train (HST) at The Weardale Railway
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