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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. Flower arrangement with white and orange flowers

    Add Cestrian Flower Club to your Itinerary

    Cestrian Flower Club

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Chester-le-Street

    Flower arranging demonstration by Linda Fraser. 

    Dates

    From:
    2 Oct 2025Open 18:45 - 21:30
    More info for Cestrian Flower Club
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 4 Roman Germanic mercenaries in battle

    Add Roman Army Weekend to your Itinerary

    Roman Army Weekend

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    The Roman Army returns to Binchester Roman Fort to do battle against the enemy! Come and see demonstrations of archery, slingstaffs and the firing of the artillery catapult; the ballista.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Aug 2025to25 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:30
    More info for Roman Army Weekend
  5. The Greatest Showman movie poster Hugh Jackman as P. T. Barnum, showman and entrepreneur

    Add The Greatest Showman (PG) - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    The Greatest Showman (PG) - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Film

    Chester le Street

    The Greatest Showman (PG) Sunday 31st August.

    Dates

    From:
    31 Aug 2025Open 14:00 -
    More info for The Greatest Showman (PG) - Lumley Castle Hotel
  6. Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion

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

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

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Join Rachel Whitworth, Curator of Fashion & Textiles for an insightful introduction to the new Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion exhibition.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2025Open 11:00 - 11:30
    From:
    23 Oct 2025Open 11:00 - 11:30
    From:
    27 Oct 2025Open 11:00 - 11:30
    From:
    5 Feb 2026Open 11:00 - 11:30
    More info for Spotlight Tour - Joséphine, A Woman of Taste and Fashion - The Bowes Museum
  7. Two trains parked up in a station

    Add S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    The exhibition will feature the winning entries from a competition to find the UK’s most promising young railway photographers.

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for S&DR200 - Young Railway Photographer of the Year exhibition at Locomotion
  8. Aerial view of Ushaw Classic Car and Bike Show

    Add Ushaw Classic Car and Bike Show - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Ushaw Classic Car and Bike Show - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham

    Ushaw Classic Car & Bike Show returns for more motoring madness on Saturday 24 May 2025. Featuring hundreds of vintage and classic vehicles, live music, trade stalls and family friendly activities. What’s better than one Ushaw Classic Car & Bike…

    Dates

    From:
    31 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Ushaw Classic Car and Bike Show - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  9. A young child with curly blonde hair, wearing green dungarees and a striped shirt, walks alone along a grand, ornately decorated museum hallway

    Add Bug Hunt - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Bug Hunt - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Barnard Castle

    Embark on playful bug hunt to spot artworks around the museum that feature insects, vibrant colours and striking patterns. This interactive session invites curious explorers to engage their senses and uncover how nature has inspired artist and…

    Dates

    From:
    22 July 2025to2 Sept 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Bug Hunt - The Bowes Museum
  10. Lego exhibition of 'Jaws' the movie - Warren Elsmore

    Add Brick Flicks - Bishop Auckland Town Hall to your Itinerary

    Brick Flicks - Bishop Auckland Town Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    From Wayne’s World to West Side Story, The Matrix to Mary Poppins, and Laurel & Hardy to Life of Pi, see classic movies in LEGO® bricks in this exhibition of some of the most iconic and memorable film moments of all time recreated by Warren Elsmore,…

    Dates

    From:
    2 June 2025to30 Aug 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Brick Flicks - Bishop Auckland Town Hall
  11. 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
  12. Two women and three children walking around the lake at Hardwick Park

    Add Passport to Nature: Winter Wildlife Walk to your Itinerary

    Passport to Nature: Winter Wildlife Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sedgefield

    It might be cold outside but that does not stop the wildlife at Hardwick Park! Join the education team as we explore the park's tranquil beauty, from the rustling of winter leaves to the tracks left by the park's wildlife. Whether you're a nature…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2025Open 07:00 - 09:00
    More info for Passport to Nature: Winter Wildlife Walk
  13. Young girl with coloured hair braids

    Add Hair Braids & Milkshakes - Lanchester Garden Centre to your Itinerary

    Hair Braids & Milkshakes - Lanchester Garden Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bargate Bank, Lanchester

    Join us for some more hair-raising fun with another helping of our Hair Braids & Milkshakes event.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 16:30
    More info for Hair Braids & Milkshakes - Lanchester Garden Centre
  14. Preston Park Museum and Grounds

    Add S&DR200: Tracks of Change to your Itinerary

    S&DR200: Tracks of Change

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Stockton on Tees

    Following a major redevelopment, Preston Park will open its new exhibition space with Tracks of Change, a series of exhibitions exploring the impact and legacy of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 June 2025to30 Sept 2025
    More info for S&DR200: Tracks of Change
  15. Behind the Scenes Tour of Raby Castle. Close up of an interior door handle

    Add Behind the Scenes Tour of Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Behind the Scenes Tour of Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Staindrop

    Our exclusive behind-the-scenes tour offers a unique opportunity to step back in time, unlocking some of the hidden parts of the castle to reveal rooms, stories and treasures not usually seen by the public.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    From:
    16 Aug 2025Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Behind the Scenes Tour of Raby Castle
  16. Crook Hall gardens

    Add Family yoga with Kalma Life: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Family yoga with Kalma Life: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Yoga with a twist! Dance, pretend and stretch with an imaginative yoga class.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Aug 2025Open 12:30 - 13:30
    From:
    9 Aug 2025Open 12:30 - 13:30
    From:
    16 Aug 2025Open 12:30 - 13:30
    From:
    21 Aug 2025Open 12:30 - 13:30
    From:
    23 Aug 2025Open 12:30 - 13:30
    From:
    30 Aug 2025Open 12:30 - 13:30
    More info for Family yoga with Kalma Life: Summer of Play at Crook Hall Gardens
  17. Scott Bennett surrounded by phones, watches, wires and keyboards

    Add Scott Bennett "Stuff" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Scott Bennett "Stuff" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Our society loves stuff, it's who we are and who we want to be. But this is at odds with the looming environmental crisis. Star of Live at the Apollo, News Quiz and Radio 4 special on Stuff. (EXTRA SEATS ADDED)

    Dates

    From:
    4 Oct 2025Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Scott Bennett "Stuff" - The Witham
  18. Kids Kayaking at Seaham Harbour Marina

    Add Adventure Camp to your Itinerary

    Adventure Camp

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    The Waterside, Seaham

    A full afternoon of activities for kids ages 8-16.

    Venue

    Seaham Harbour Marina, Seaham

    Dates

    From:
    6 Aug 2025Open 12:00 -
    From:
    20 Aug 2025Open 12:00 -
    From:
    27 Aug 2025Open 12:00 -
    More info for Adventure Camp
  19. Details of event with image of sunflowers straw hat and cane

    Add Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Sedgefield

    Susan Hall presents memories of Vietnam.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Oct 2025Open 19:15 - 21:15
    More info for Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club Demonstration
  20. Line up details for Derwent Fest 2025

    Add Derwent Fest 2025 to your Itinerary

    Derwent Fest 2025

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Edmundbyers

    A weekend festival of live tribute music, food and drink, and children’s activities and entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, and enjoy some fun, quality time together.

    Venue

    Derwent Waterside Park, Shotley Bridge

    Dates

    From:
    15 Aug 2025to16 Aug 2025
    More info for Derwent Fest 2025
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