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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. A minimal illustration of a festive market vendor and a customer on a red image with festive items such as snowflakes and candy canes in the backgroun

    Add Festive Artisan Market to your Itinerary

    Festive Artisan Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Seaham

    As the twinkling lights start to glow and the air turns crisp, join us for a weekend of Christmas cheer on 12th & 13th December at Dalton Park Outlet for our Festive Artisan Market.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    More info for Festive Artisan Market
  2. Person working in a workshop with a silver ring

    Add Silver Stacking Ring Workshop to your Itinerary

    Silver Stacking Ring Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Staindrop

    Step into a realm of exquisite beauty and craftsmanship with PeaceGold Jewellery House at Raby Castle, Park & Gardens where craftsmanship is not just a skill, but an art form.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026to9 Nov 2026Open 12:00 - 15:30
    More info for Silver Stacking Ring Workshop
  3. People walking around craft market stalls.

    Add Christmas Craft Fair - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Craft Fair - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bearpark, Durham

    Join us for a two-day celebration of festive food, unique gifts and local craftsmanship.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to15 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Craft Fair - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  4. People dancing under colourful lights.

    Add Dance Through The Decades to your Itinerary

    Dance Through The Decades

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Join us for a showstopping Christmas night out. Arrive from 7pm and enjoy indulgent 3-course meal from 7.30pm. After dinner, let our resident DJ take you on a musical journey with ‘Dance Through the Decades’, spinning the greatest hits from every…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026Open 19:00 - 23:55
    From:
    4 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:55
    More info for Dance Through The Decades
  5. A Christmas tree standing in Durham Cathedral with presents underneath.

    Add Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the Christmas Tree to your Itinerary

    Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the Christmas Tree

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Come and enjoy a family favourite service in which we light the tree, sing traditional carols and bless the unique nativity scene which was carved by a Durham miner. Durham Cathedral’s beautiful crib scene will be blessed by the Dean, the Very Revd…

    Dates

    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 15:30 -
    More info for Blessing of the Crib and Lighting of the Christmas Tree
  6. Bright green fur holding a red candy cane against a red background.

    Add Breakfast with The Grinch & Cindy Lou to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with The Grinch & Cindy Lou

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Get ready for a morning of mayhem as the mean, green, Christmas crunching Grinch takes over breakfast! We’ve teamed up with Make My Day Events to bring Whoville’s most mischievous resident to life, enjoy some Yuletide yumminess with a side of…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026to21 Dec 2026Open 09:30 -
    More info for Breakfast with The Grinch & Cindy Lou
  7. A Christmas concert in an ornate chapel.

    Add Christmas Concert Series - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Concert Series - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bearpark, Durham

    Celebrate the festive season with a wonderful series of Christmas concerts at Ushaw. Enjoy uplifting choirs, powerful brass, beautiful orchestral music and much-loved Christmas favourites, all performed in the magnificent St Cuthbert’s Chapel. Join…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026
    More info for Christmas Concert Series - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  8. A community hall set out with tables and chairs

    Add Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Coffee Morning to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Coffee Morning

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Sedgefield

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club welcome members of the public to join us for a coffee morning where we have tea/coffee, a bite to eat and a raffle.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Coffee Morning
  9. A beautiful saris with a green and yellow pattern.

    Add Family Activities: Creative Threads to your Itinerary

    Family Activities: Creative Threads

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Durham

    Get creative and try some simple weaving techniques inspired South Asian saris!

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Family Activities: Creative Threads
  10. A group of festive performers wearing Santa hats and Christmas jumpers playing the Ukulele on a blue stage.

    Add D’Ukes of Scarth – The Ukulele Christmas Sessions to your Itinerary

    D’Ukes of Scarth – The Ukulele Christmas Sessions

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Barnard Castle

    Come along to The Witham and enjoy a fun filled afternoon of ukulele music with the D’Ukes of Scarth. Something for everyone – songs to join in with, songs to listen to, songs old, new and Christmassy.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for D’Ukes of Scarth – The Ukulele Christmas Sessions
  11. Saturday Outdoor Market Vintage Stall

    Add Saturday Outdoor Market to your Itinerary

    Saturday Outdoor Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Durham

    Every Saturday, the Market Place is transformed by up to 30 small independent traders…it becomes a traditional, bustling, fresh air market and a great shopping experience.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Saturday Outdoor Market
  12. A couple performing ballet on a festive stage

    Add Crown Ballet: The Nutcracker - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Crown Ballet: The Nutcracker - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Consett

    The beloved Christmas classic returns! After last year’s acclaimed tour, Crown Ballet® brings back its dazzling production of The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s timeless masterpiece.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Crown Ballet: The Nutcracker - Empire Consett
  13. A poster for a Christmas card workshop, decorated with green pine trees and baubles on a dark green background.

    Add Christmas Card Workshop to your Itinerary

    Christmas Card Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Come show your creativity at this Christmas Card Workshop. Only £5 payable in advance. All materials supplied

    Dates

    From:
    1 Dec 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Christmas Card Workshop
  14. Wine and a selection of scones and jams.

    Add Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force to your Itinerary

    Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force

    Type

    Type:

    Food Events

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Monday - Saturday Celebrate in the heart of Upper Teesdale with our cosy Fireside Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force
  15. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) advertising poster.

    Add John Barrymore in Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1920) with Live accompaniment by Aaron Hawthorne at the Wurlitzer organ to your Itinerary

    John Barrymore in Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1920) with Live accompaniment by Aaron Hawthorne at the Wurlitzer organ

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    Award-winning young Scottish organist AARON HAWTHORNE plays another 'live' silent movie accompaniment following his widely acclaimed performance last year.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for John Barrymore in Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1920) with Live accompaniment by Aaron Hawthorne at the Wurlitzer organ
  16. Consett Salvation Army Band, an orchestra of brass instruments.

    Add Friends Christmas Concert to your Itinerary

    Friends Christmas Concert

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Join us for our Annual Christmas Concert. Celebrate the festive season at our Friends' Christmas Concert with Durham Cathedral Young Singers, Rock Choir North East and the Consett Citadel Salvation Army Band.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026to10 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for Friends Christmas Concert
  17. A casino table surrounded by purple glitter.

    Add Disco, Dice & Drive ~ Immersive Christmas Party Night to your Itinerary

    Disco, Dice & Drive ~ Immersive Christmas Party Night

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Carville, Durham

    Where Christmas parties get a serious upgrade. Think disco vibes, casino thrills, competitive racing action and Insta-worthy 360° moments – all wrapped into one electric night. Win festive prizes, challenge your friends and dance into the early…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:30
    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:30
    More info for Disco, Dice & Drive ~ Immersive Christmas Party Night
  18. A festive table spread, with pine needles and red berries decorating the plates.

    Add Festive Sunday Lunch to your Itinerary

    Festive Sunday Lunch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Enjoy a delicious Christmas lunch and fun for all! A relaxed family friendly atmosphere, delicious food plus a selection box for the kids!

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026Open 13:00 - 16:00
    From:
    13 Dec 2026Open 13:00 - 16:00
    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 13:00 - 16:00
    More info for Festive Sunday Lunch
  19. View of players on Barnard Castle Golf Course on a sunny day.

    Add Stay and Play at High Force Hotel and Barnard Castle Golf Club to your Itinerary

    Stay and Play at High Force Hotel and Barnard Castle Golf Club

    Type

    Type:

    Golf Events

    Forest-in-Teesdale,

    Nestled in the stunning countryside of Teesdale, Barnard Castle Golf Club offers an unforgettable golfing experience in the heart of the North East.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Apr 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Stay and Play at High Force Hotel and Barnard Castle Golf Club
  20. Film posters for The Grinch, Its A Wonderful Life and Elf on a background of red cinema chairs.

    Add Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    This December, settle in for some much-loved Christmas movies in the Exhibition Hall Theatre. Experience the festive mischief of The Grinch, the timeless magic of It’s a Wonderful Life and the hilarious Christmas spirit of Elf—all on the big screen,…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    More info for Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
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