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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. Durham student orchestra performing in St Oswald's Church, Durham City.

    Add Voices of the New Era to your Itinerary

    Voices of the New Era

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Join the Palatinate Ensemble for their first concert of the year - a journey through the 20th century featuring works by Gustav Holst, Jean Absil, and more!

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Voices of the New Era
  2. Members of the Durham Cathedral Choir performing.

    Add Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    These traditional Advent services at the cathedral are always popular. The service starts in darkness as a lone Chorister sings Once in Royal David’s City.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Dec 2025Open 18:00 -
    From:
    24 Dec 2025Open 15:00 -
    More info for Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Durham Cathedral
  3. January Available Now - Tom Bolton's Magic Corner

    Add Tom Bolton's The Magic Corner to your Itinerary

    Tom Bolton's The Magic Corner

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Old Elvet, Durham

    Surround yourself in the world of magic in this interactive and immersive show!

    Dates

    From:
    3 Jan 2026to31 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Tom Bolton's The Magic Corner
  4. An artist sketching.

    Add Drawing in the Galleries - The Spanish Gallery to your Itinerary

    Drawing in the Galleries - The Spanish Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Arts & Crafts

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into the world of Spanish masterpieces with our Drawing in the Galleries series. Set against the backdrop of the Spanish Golden Age, these sessions invite you to explore iconic works of art through sketching.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2025
    More info for Drawing in the Galleries - The Spanish Gallery
  5. Poster advertising 80s Silent Disco evening at Durham Cathedral

    Add 80s Silent Disco in Durham Cathedral - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    80s Silent Disco in Durham Cathedral - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Durham City

    Expect 3 epic DJs playing all your favourite 80s tunes in the stunning, illuminated surroundings of Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    16 Jan 2026Open 19:00 -
    More info for 80s Silent Disco in Durham Cathedral - Durham Cathedral
  6. 'Dass Brass' performing to crowds at Durham Brass Festival

    Durham Brass Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    BRASS is back in 2026 with a fantastic programme of brass-inspired events coming to Durham from 12 - 19 July. 

    Dates

    From:
    12 July 2026to19 July 2026
    More info for Durham Brass Festival 2026
  7. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham city.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Between 29th July and 2nd August 2026, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts.  Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and…

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival 2026
  8. Durham Cricket Unwrap the Magic Early.  Advertising date and opening times.

    Add Unwrap The Magic Early Christmas Party to your Itinerary

    Unwrap The Magic Early Christmas Party

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester-le-Street

    Join us on Saturday 29th November at Banks Homes Riverside for an enchanting night filled with festive cheer, joyful music, and twinkling lights, our way of helping you kick off the season before the December madness takes hold.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2025Open 19:00 - 23:45
    More info for Unwrap The Magic Early Christmas Party
  9. Bingo Balls

    Add Bonkers Bingo - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Bonkers Bingo - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Craziest bingo ever, with our "sassy and not classy" drag host and with some just as fabulous prizes... Strictly over 18’s only and not for the easily offended.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2025Open 18:00 - 01:00
    More info for Bonkers Bingo - Lumley Castle Hotel
  10. Auckland Palace and Gardens

    Add British Landscapes in the Bishop Trevor Rooms - Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    British Landscapes in the Bishop Trevor Rooms - Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    Explore the birth of British landscape painting through works by 18th-century masters including Gainsborough, Reynolds, Stubbs, and Wilson.

    Dates

    From:
    2 July 2025to30 Nov 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for British Landscapes in the Bishop Trevor Rooms - Auckland Palace
  11. Advertising poster with an image of Santa stuck upside down in a chimney and title and date of event.

    Add Operation Save Santa to your Itinerary

    Operation Save Santa

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Looking for a Christmas adventure with a difference? Brand new for Christmas 2025 in Durham City Centre 27th Nov - 4th Jan. Durham Escape Rooms has all the answers to make the best experience for the whole family, friends and colleagues this season.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2025to4 Jan 2026
    More info for Operation Save Santa
  12. A festive afternoon tea at the High Force Hotel, a selection of cakes, sandwiches and scones

    Add Festive Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel and Waterfall to your Itinerary

    Festive Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel and Waterfall

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Forest-in-Teesdale

    Celebrate the festive season in the heart of the North Pennines National Landscape with our much-loved Festive Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    From:
    14 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    From:
    21 Dec 2025Open 16:30 -
    More info for Festive Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel and Waterfall
  13. A group of women with pushchairs going for a walk in the sunshine

    Add No.42 - Pregnant to Preschool  - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    No.42 - Pregnant to Preschool - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Bishop Auckland

    Pregnant to Preschool is a weekly drop-in for parents who are pregnant or with young children (0-5). Every Monday 1 – 3pm. Excluding bank holidays.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for No.42 - Pregnant to Preschool - The Auckland Project
  14. Durham Miners' Gala. Crowds enjoying the Gala outside of the County Hotel. Colliery Banners can be seen as the Bands march through the streets.

    Durham Miners' Gala 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Show / Display

    Durham City

    The Durham Miners' Gala returns on 11th July 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    11 July 2026
    More info for Durham Miners' Gala 2026
  15. Impressionist seascape painting depicting a rocky shoreline with waves crashing against the coast.

    Add Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum is a major partnership between The Bowes Museum and the Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux (MuMa), Le Havre.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Sept 2026to14 Mar 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Impressions of Light: Masterpieces from MuMa – Le Havre and The Bowes Museum
  16. A character from A Christmas Carol, a man holding a lantern.

    Add A Christmas Carol at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    A Christmas Carol at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    A festive treat for all the family, Dickens’ beloved tale of redemption is brought to the stage at Durham Cathedral in an authentic and joyful adaptation from Operation Moonlight.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Dec 2025Open 19:30 -
    More info for A Christmas Carol at Durham Cathedral
  17. Crook Hall Gardens, exterior of medieval hall

    Add Cinderella: a Christmas puppet panto at Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Cinderella: a Christmas puppet panto at Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Experience the classic tale of magic, princes, glass slippers and pumpkins at the Crook Hall Gardens puppet theatre.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2025to21 Dec 2025Open 12:30 - 14:00
    More info for Cinderella: a Christmas puppet panto at Crook Hall Gardens
  18. Group of people taking part in a creative workshop at No. 42 - The Auckland Project

    Add No.42 - Creative Forum - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    No.42 - Creative Forum - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Bishop Auckland

    An adult group for like-minded creatives. Every Wednesday.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for No.42 - Creative Forum - The Auckland Project
  19. Beautiful red flower display.

    Add Cestrian  Flower Club to your Itinerary

    Cestrian Flower Club

    Type

    Type:

    Demonstration

    Chester-le-Street

    Flower arranging by Vanessa Wellock, National demonstrator, titled "LETS GET FESTIVE".

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2025Open 18:30 - 21:30
    More info for Cestrian Flower Club
  20. A willow reindeer

    Add Festive Willow Reindeer Workshop at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Festive Willow Reindeer Workshop at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Join our Festive Willow Reindeer Workshop, hosted in the beautifully restored Riding School at Raby Castle.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Festive Willow Reindeer Workshop at Raby Castle
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