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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. poster tribute night Freddie mercury

    Add Freddie Mercury Tribute Night to your Itinerary

    Freddie Mercury Tribute Night

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Peterlee

    Get ready to ROCK as we bring you an electrifying night of Queen's greatest hits with an unmissable Freddie Mercury Tribute.  

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025Open 19:00 - 22:30
    More info for Freddie Mercury Tribute Night
  2. Santa reading three children a story.

    Add Story Time with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Story Time with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Are you ready for Storytime? Get those PJ's on, bring your most cuddly teddy and join us for an afternoon of spreading Christmas spirit with Mr and Mrs Claus. With milk & cookies on arrival, this event is guaranteed to get your little ones excited…

    Dates

    From:
    23 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Story Time with Santa - Lumley Castle Hotel
  3. Collage of 90s popstars: Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Peter Andre, Steps, Geri Halliwell etc

    Add So...90s Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa to your Itinerary

    So...90s Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Discover Durham Christmas Party Event

    Durham

    Throw it back to the 90s with a high-energy party night packed with classic tunes, live DJ sets, dazzling dancers, giveaways and feel-good nostalgia. A brilliant evening of food, fun and unforgettable floor-fillers.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for So...90s Party Night - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa
  4. Brass band playing in bandstand at Beamish Museum.

    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.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025
    More info for Brass Bands - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  5. Chutney trader. Woman looking at stall and holding purse.

    Add Barnard Castle Market to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Barnard Castle

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Wednesday 8.00am to 16.30

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Barnard Castle Market
  6. Robin Hood - The Pantomime. Background shows stage curtain.

    Add Robin Hood Pantomime - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Robin Hood Pantomime - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    The Sheriff of Nottingham and Bad Prince John are up to their usual nasty tricks, and only Robin Hood and the Merry  Men and Women of Sherwood Forest can put a stop to their  wicked behaviour.  

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to23 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Robin Hood Pantomime - Lumley Castle Hotel
  7. Crowds of people enjoying a cricket match at Durham Cricket's Banks Homes Riverside Stadium

    Add Durham Cricket - England Women V New Zealand Women ODI to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket - England Women V New Zealand Women ODI

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    England Women take on New Zealand Women in a thrilling one day international on Sunday 10 May 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    10 May 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket - England Women V New Zealand Women ODI
  8. Two smiling elves.

    Add Tweddle Farm Grotto - Tweddle Farm to your Itinerary

    Tweddle Farm Grotto - Tweddle Farm

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Blackhall Colliery,

    Tweddle Farm's Christmas event is a December to remember! Meet Santa and his friends within our unforgettable Winter Wonderland.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Tweddle Farm Grotto - Tweddle Farm
  9. Lanchester Christmas Market - 6th December, 11am - 3pm. Poster decorated with Christmas decorations.

    Add Lanchester Christmas Market at The King's Head to your Itinerary

    Lanchester Christmas Market at The King's Head

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Lanchester, Durham

    The Lanchester Christmas Market is back!

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Lanchester Christmas Market at The King's Head
  10. Pom Pom from a Santa hat on a green background

    Add Breakfast With The Grinch & Cindy Lou - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Breakfast With The Grinch & Cindy Lou - Lumley Castle Hotel

    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, promising a festive feast with a side of playful…

    Dates

    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    From:
    23 Dec 2025Open 09:30 - 11:30
    More info for Breakfast With The Grinch & Cindy Lou - Lumley Castle Hotel
  11. Bowburn Hall Hotel Christmas Market - poster bordered with fairy lights and festive decorations.

    Add Bowburn Hall Twilight Christmas to your Itinerary

    Bowburn Hall Twilight Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Come and join for an evening of festive shopping at the beautiful Bowburn Hall Hotel. With plenty of stalls food and drinks.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2025Open 17:00 - 21:00
    More info for Bowburn Hall Twilight Christmas
  12. Orchestra playing in candlelight

    Add Valentines Vivaldi by Candlelight to your Itinerary

    Valentines Vivaldi by Candlelight

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Celebrate Valentine's night with an unforgettable evening of music in one of Durham's most romantic settings. Step into the timeless beauty of Durham Cathedral, the perfect stage for a night of passion and elegance.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Feb 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Valentines Vivaldi by Candlelight
  13. Father Christmas sitting in front of a Christmas Tree at Raby Castle

    Add Father Christmas at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    ​​​​​​Experience the Magic of Christmas with Father Christmas in Raby Castle’s Barons’ Hall.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025to23 Nov 2025
    From:
    29 Nov 2025to30 Nov 2025
    From:
    6 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025
    From:
    13 Dec 2025to14 Dec 2025
    From:
    19 Dec 2025to24 Dec 2025
    More info for Father Christmas at Raby Castle
  14. Interior of Durham Cathedral and view of Rose Window

    Add The Christmas Orchestra - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Christmas Orchestra - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    The Christmas Orchestra is back! After a wonderful run of sold out shows in 2024 we are excited to bring you more shows and locations in 2025. Get ready to discover the magic of the festive season with our unique concert experience.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Nov 2025Open 19:30 - 20:45
    More info for The Christmas Orchestra - Durham Cathedral
  15. Poster with images of comedians taking part.

    Add Red Canary Comedy Club: November to your Itinerary

    Red Canary Comedy Club: November

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Durham City

    Prepare yourself for an evening of top-quality stand-up in the atmospheric Durham Miners Hall.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025Open 18:30 - 22:30
    More info for Red Canary Comedy Club: November
  16. Josef's restaurant at the Radisson Blu Durham

    Add Family Santa Sunday Lunch to your Itinerary

    Family Santa Sunday Lunch

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    A relaxed family-friendly atmosphere, delicious food and a visit from the main man himself – Santa Claus will be delivering a selection box for the kids!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 15:30
    More info for Family Santa Sunday Lunch
  17. Silhouette of boyband members on stage

    Add VOX Mix Boyband Experience - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa to your Itinerary

    VOX Mix Boyband Experience - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    A throwback night of boy band classics with smooth vocals, slick moves and all-out energy. Expect a feel-good set-list that keeps the dancefloor packed from start to finish. Bring your best karaoke spirit and get ready to sing along.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for VOX Mix Boyband Experience - Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa
  18. A staff member in a black top hat, posing for a photo with five children.

    Add Home Educators' Day December 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Home Educators' Day December 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Beamish

    Our next Home Educators’ Day takes place on Wednesday, 10th December 2025. There are a range of bookable workshops and drop-in activities for you to try during your visit.

    Dates

    From:
    10 Dec 2025
    More info for Home Educators' Day December 2025 - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  19. Santa Claus wearing glasses and holding popcorn

    Add Magic at the Movies to your Itinerary

    Magic at the Movies

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Get ready to sprinkle some festive magic this December. Prepare for an enchanting evening featuring a fabulous festive movie that will warm your heart.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    More info for Magic at the Movies
  20. Two elves laughing and playing with a snowball.

    Add Little Elves Christmas Hunt - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Little Elves Christmas Hunt - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Arrive at the castle and be greeted by our very own team of elves, then receive a castle map and clues. Head around the grounds solving riddles, collecting clues and finding all of Santa’s favourite festive friends. Make your way to the finishing…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Dec 2025to22 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Elves Christmas Hunt - Lumley Castle Hotel
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