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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. Josh Jones reclining in a chair

    Add Josh Jones I Haven't Won The Lottery So Here's Another Tour Show - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Josh Jones I Haven't Won The Lottery So Here's Another Tour Show - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    I Haven't Won The Lottery So Here's Another Tour Show.

    Star of Would I Lie To You? (BBC1), The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV), 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (CH4), Comedy Central Live, House of Games (BBC2), Dancing On Ice (ITV), The Stand Up Sketch…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025Open 20:00 - 22:00
    More info for Josh Jones I Haven't Won The Lottery So Here's Another Tour Show - The Witham
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Cartoon image of Jeanie and the Jolly Boys

    Add Jeanie and the Jollyboys - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Jeanie and the Jollyboys - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Beamish

    Enjoy the sound of Jeanie and the Jollyboys, who will be performing in the 1950s welfare hall between 12-2pm.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Aug 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00
    From:
    21 Sept 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00
    From:
    12 Oct 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00
    From:
    16 Nov 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00
    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 14:00
    More info for Jeanie and the Jollyboys - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  6. Christmas Pudding

    Add Stir-up Sunday at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Stir-up Sunday at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Estate Chef Tom Parry will lead a demonstration in the Medieval Kitchen, guests will then be instructed on how to make a Traditional Christmas Pudding.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025Open 11:00 -
    More info for Stir-up Sunday at Raby Castle
  7. 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:
    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
  8. Mrs Smith 1,2,3 eyes on me with 
illustrations of flowers and leaves

    Add Mrs Smith "123, Eyes on Me!" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Mrs Smith "123, Eyes on Me!" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Mrs Smith was an ordinary teacher until she went viral on Facebook and accidentally became a comedian.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Mrs Smith "123, Eyes on Me!" - The Witham
  9. Poster promoting free family fun day in Peterlee. Illustrations of the sun, ice creams, doughnuts and hot dogs.

    Add Free Family Fun Day in Peterlee to your Itinerary

    Free Family Fun Day in Peterlee

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Peterlee

    Looking for something exciting to do with the kids this summer? Peterlee Town Council is bringing you FREE Family Fun Days packed with entertainment, activities, and summer vibes!

    Dates

    From:
    27 Aug 2025Open 10:30 - 15:30
    More info for Free Family Fun Day in Peterlee
  10. 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
  11. People partying at Greek Fest

    Add The Big Fat Greek Fest! to your Itinerary

    The Big Fat Greek Fest!

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Sedgefield

    BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! Get ready for an unforgettable experience at The Big Fat Greek Fest!

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2025Open 12:00 - 18:00
    More info for The Big Fat Greek Fest!
  12. Oriental illustrations of dragons, Pharos and monsters.

    Add Telling Tales: Making Stories Come to Life at The Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Telling Tales: Making Stories Come to Life at The Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham City

    Experience the joy and wonder of storytelling through the Oriental Museum’s new summer exhibition, Telling Tales Making Stories Come to Life.

    Dates

    From:
    13 June 2025to9 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Telling Tales: Making Stories Come to Life at The Oriental Museum
  13. Stargazing at Raby Castle

    Add Stargazing at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Stargazing at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Staindrop

    This exclusive event offers a rare opportunity to explore the night sky under the expert guidance of a professional astronomer. Whether you are an experienced stargazer or a newcomer to astronomy, this session promises to provide valuable insights…

    Dates

    From:
    18 Oct 2025Open 19:00 -
    From:
    25 Oct 2025Open 19:00 -
    From:
    15 Nov 2025Open 18:00 -
    From:
    22 Nov 2025Open 18:00 -
    From:
    13 Dec 2025Open 18:00 -
    From:
    17 Jan 2026Open 18:00 -
    From:
    24 Jan 2026Open 18:00 -
    More info for Stargazing at Raby Castle
  14. coloured painting of the Manor House in the snow with a Christmas Tree in cartoon style

    Add Mistletoe, Misery & Murder - Murder Mystery to your Itinerary

    Mistletoe, Misery & Murder - Murder Mystery

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    West Auckland

    Step into the glitz and glam of the Roaring Twenties for a festive night of flappers, fedoras, and foul play.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2025Open 19:00 - 23:45
    More info for Mistletoe, Misery & Murder - Murder Mystery
  15. John Robertson

    Add John Robertson "Plays With His Audience" to your Itinerary

    John Robertson "Plays With His Audience"

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Improv, mayhem, gaming comedy, crowd work and songs from the UK's most manic comic on his first-ever stand-up tour!

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for John Robertson "Plays With His Audience"
  16. Silhouette if people dancing at sunset

    Add Summer Nights Adventure at Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    Summer Nights Adventure at Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Brasside

    Summer Nights Adventure returns to Adventure valley on Saturday 16th August, 6pm–9pm.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Aug 2025Open 18:00 - 21:00
    More info for Summer Nights Adventure at Adventure Valley
  17. Illustration of Toad  from The Wind in the Willows driving a red car

    Add The Wind in the Willows by Illyria - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Wind in the Willows by Illyria - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Outdoor Cinema and Theatre

    Durham

    Enjoy Kenneth Grahame's timeless tale of friendship, laughter and the lure of adventure! Enjoy the story where it is set: in the great British outdoors, and told by award-winning performers, Illyria Outdoors Theatre.

    Dates

    From:
    13 Sept 2025Open 19:00 - 20:45
    More info for The Wind in the Willows by Illyria - Durham Cathedral
  18. Crook Hall gardens

    Add Active play: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Active play: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Wacky races and silly faces: try outdoor games and sports at Crook Hall Gardens.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Aug 2025Open 11:30 - 15:00
    More info for Active play: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens
  19. 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
  20. People looking at the exhibition display stand at Locomotion

    Add S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Home to one of largest collections of historic rail vehicles in the world, Locomotion is pulling out all the stops to commemorate S&DR200.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Feb 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Railway Firsts at Locomotion
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