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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. Characters from the Murder Mystery Dinner at Lumley Castle

    Add Murder Mystery Afternoon Tea - Murder-Ton at Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Murder Mystery Afternoon Tea - Murder-Ton at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Murder Mystery

    Chester le Street

    Secrets and lies are about to surface in our nod to Bridgeton but with a Murder!  

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025Open 14:00 - 17:30
    More info for Murder Mystery Afternoon Tea - Murder-Ton at Lumley Castle Hotel
  2. Illustration of Prince Rupert of The Rhine, Mark Turnbull book cover.

    Add Mark Turnbull 'Prince Rupert - The Cavalier and His Conflicts' - Bishop Auckland Library to your Itinerary

    Mark Turnbull 'Prince Rupert - The Cavalier and His Conflicts' - Bishop Auckland Library

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Bishop Auckland

    Prince Rupert of The Rhine (nephew to King Charles I) was both the archetypal royalist hero and parliamentarian villain. He was the dashing cavalier; handsome, courageous and determined. But he also had at least 11 derogatory pseudonyms, coined by…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for Mark Turnbull 'Prince Rupert - The Cavalier and His Conflicts' - Bishop Auckland Library
  3. '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
  4. Table set with an Autumnal Afternoon Tea

    Add Autumnal Afternoon Teas to your Itinerary

    Autumnal Afternoon Teas

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Toft Hill, Bishop Auckland

    Autumnal Afternoon Tea Available to Book Monday to Friday from 1st September.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Sept 2025to24 Oct 2025Open 12:00 - 16:00
    More info for Autumnal Afternoon Teas
  5. 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
  6. customers next to nick-nacks and jewellery market stall

    Add Stanley Market to your Itinerary

    Stanley Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Stanley

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday and Saturday 8.00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Stanley Market
  7. 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
  8. HOD

    Add Heritage Open Days: St Andrew's Church to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days: St Andrew's Church

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Seaham

    St Andrews Church has some unique features dating back to Anglo-Saxon origins. It is situated in an ancient village which has a diverse history starting with a reference by the Venerable Bede.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days: St Andrew's Church
  9. Lucky Numbers graphic image of lotto balls

    Add Lucky Numbers by Mike Yeaman (Comedy) to your Itinerary

    Lucky Numbers by Mike Yeaman (Comedy)

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Back Silver Street, Durham

    It seems nana has a winning lottery ticket…… but where is it and how will her family react ???

    Dates

    From:
    23 Nov 2025Open 14:30 -
    From:
    24 Nov 2025to28 Nov 2025Open 19:30 -
    From:
    29 Nov 2025Open 14:30 -
    More info for Lucky Numbers by Mike Yeaman (Comedy)
  10. 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
  11. Murder & Mulled Wine murder mystery with a spooky image of Beamish Hall in the background

    Add Murder & Mulled Wine at Beamish Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Murder & Mulled Wine at Beamish Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Beamish

    Turn detective over a delicious three-course meal in our fun murder mystery dinner.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 23:00
    More info for Murder & Mulled Wine at Beamish Hall Hotel
  12. Carriage pass to 'West Door of Westminster Abbey'

    Add Special Tour: Raby and The Royal Family - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Special Tour: Raby and The Royal Family - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Staindrop

    Raby's hugely popular tour commemorating the castle's historic links with royalty returns for 2025. Beginning with Raby's origins as a manor belonging to King Canute in the early 11th century, we will guide you through almost 1,000 years of Raby's…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Sept 2025Open 10:00 -
    From:
    11 Oct 2025Open 10:00 -
    More info for Special Tour: Raby and The Royal Family - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  13. A Skiffle group of two adults and two children in front of Beamish Museum's 1950s Welfare Hall.

    Add Skiffle Session & Uke Club - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Skiffle Session & Uke Club - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Beamish

    Join us for an afternoon of skiffle music in the 1950s welfare hall! Enjoy our own band, Hop, Skiffle and Jump performing from 12pm until 1pm, followed by our Uke Club from 1.15pm until 2.15pm where you can develop your ukulele skills.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Aug 2025Open 12:00 - 14:15
    From:
    28 Sept 2025Open 12:00 - 14:15
    From:
    26 Oct 2025Open 12:00 - 14:15
    From:
    30 Nov 2025Open 12:00 - 14:15
    From:
    28 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 14:15
    More info for Skiffle Session & Uke Club - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  14. Marie-Thérèse, Exhibitions & Collections Officer, presenting talks about the Magna Carta

    Add Magna Carta Uncovered with Marie-Thérèse, Exhibitions & Collections Officer to your Itinerary

    Magna Carta Uncovered with Marie-Thérèse, Exhibitions & Collections Officer

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham

    Join us for a series of free talks on the history and legacy of Magna Carta.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Sept 2025Open 18:30 -
    From:
    2 Oct 2025Open 18:30 -
    More info for Magna Carta Uncovered with Marie-Thérèse, Exhibitions & Collections Officer
  15. Kepier Hospital in Durham City

    Add Heritage Open Days - Kepier Hospital and Loggia to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Kepier Hospital and Loggia

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Kepier Lane, Durham City

    Guided tour with Martin Roberts of the Grade I and II * listed buildings and scheduled ancient monument of the medieval hospital at Kepier, once the richest in County Durham.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Sept 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Kepier Hospital and Loggia
  16. 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
  17. Military items from WWII

    Add Victory Over Japan Day at The Story to your Itinerary

    Victory Over Japan Day at The Story

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    South Road, Durham

    Durham County Council has planned a programme of family activities at its culture and heritage venue, The Story, to commemorate VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) on Friday 15 August.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for Victory Over Japan Day at The Story
  18. Graphic image of a path leading to a cross.

    Add Faith in the North: Lord’s Prayer Tour - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Faith in the North: Lord’s Prayer Tour - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Religious Event

    The College, Durham

    Hear the Lord's Prayer and teachings, as part of the Faith in the North tour as The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell visits all twelve dioceses in the Northern Province of the Church of England.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Faith in the North: Lord’s Prayer Tour - Durham Cathedral
  19. Colourful print of autumn leaf shapes

    Add Family Activities: Falling into Autumn - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Falling into Autumn - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Spot the first signs of autumn and make some autumn leaf art.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2025Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Falling into Autumn - Durham University Oriental Museum
  20. Aerial view of Blackhall Rocks

    Add Blackhall Rocks Beach Clean to your Itinerary

    Blackhall Rocks Beach Clean

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Event

    Blackhall Colliery

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

    Dates

    From:
    28 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Blackhall Rocks Beach Clean
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