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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. Mark Simmons dressed in a dinner jacket with Jester's trousers and shoes

    Add Mark Simmons "Jest to Impress" to your Itinerary

    Mark Simmons "Jest to Impress"

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    More expertly crafted one-liners, alongside his trademark off-the-cuff jokes based on random audience suggestions.

    Dates

    From:
    11 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Mark Simmons "Jest to Impress"
  2. 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
  3. Folk musicians playing together in the Band Hall in The Pit Village.

    Add Folk on Sunday - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Folk on Sunday - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Beamish

    Come and join The Cloth Cappers in The Band Hall in the Pit Village.  Featuring songs, tunes and dancing our musicians will be providing entertainment to suit all tastes with lively chorus songs and some high quality folk music between 12pm - 3pm.

    Dates

    From:
    7 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 15:00
    More info for Folk on Sunday - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  4. Painting of Old Locomotive Engine Wylam Coll from the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University

    Add S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    This special exhibition explores the inextricable link between coal mining and the railways.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2025to21 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for S&DR200 - Fuelling the Railway Revolution
  5. Toy.51 Model Train Set c.1840s at The Bowes Museum. Photography by Claire Collinson.

    Add S&DR200 - Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail to your Itinerary

    S&DR200 - Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    An exhibition showcasing historic fashion, toys and artworks that reflect on how the railway reshaped lives and culture.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2025to1 Feb 2026
    More info for S&DR200 - Dressed for Departure: Fashion in the Age of Rail
  6. ©TheBowesMuseum
A structure in front of the trees with the words, 'You Create What You Will'.

    Add Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    For the first time together, The Bowes Museum hosts Nathan Coley’s works, You Create What You Will (2014) and Tate Modern on Fire (2017).

    Dates

    From:
    14 June 2025to1 Mar 2026
    More info for Nathan Coley You Create What You Will and Tate Modern on Fire - The Bowes Museum
  7. Black Horse Beamish Market

    Add Christmas Market to your Itinerary

    Christmas Market

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas Markets

    Beamish

    Browse a charming selection of unique gifts and seasonal delights - perfect for ticking off your Christmas list in style.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 12:00 - 16:00
    More info for Christmas Market
  8. Luxury Winter/Christmas Wax Melts decorated with festive botanicals, such as cinnamon sticks, dried oranges, cloves and star anise.

    Add Luxury Winter/Christmas Wax Melts Workshop & Festive Refreshments to your Itinerary

    Luxury Winter/Christmas Wax Melts Workshop & Festive Refreshments

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    Join us this Festive season to make a beautiful set of Festive Christmas wax melt decorations with Bobella Co!

    Dates

    From:
    23 Nov 2025Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Luxury Winter/Christmas Wax Melts Workshop & Festive Refreshments
  9. Christmas Town at Bishop Auckland photo by Liam Dobinson

    Add Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town to your Itinerary

    Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into a world of festive wonder at Bishop Auckland’s Christmas Town, 4-7 December 2025! Join us for four unforgettable days filled with twinkling lights, enchanting markets, live entertainment, and the magic of Santa’s Grotto.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2025to7 Dec 2025
    More info for Bishop Auckland's Christmas Town
  10. Rosettes from the Durham County Show

    Add The Durham County Show to your Itinerary

    The Durham County Show

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    nr Thornley

    The Annual Durham County Show is a vibrant event featuring a variety of activities and attractions for all ages.

    Dates

    From:
    4 July 2026to5 July 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
    More info for The Durham County Show
  11. An illustration of a mixture of different board games

    Add Games at the Hearth - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Games at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    A relaxed afternoon of board and card games for all ages. Whether you're a seasoned player or just in it for the laughs, there's something for everyone. Second Sunday of every month 1.30pm – 4.30pm

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    12 Oct 2025to14 Dec 2025
    More info for Games at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  12. Black and white photo of Tom Stade looking off to the left.

    Add Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    The legendary Canadian stand-up star is back on the road with a brand-new show.

    Dates

    From:
    22 May 2026Open 20:00 - 22:00
    More info for Tom Stade "Naughty By Nature" - The Witham
  13. Cartoon image of a woman, wearing a tiara, sitting on a throne, reading a book

    Add Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

    Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Bishop Auckland

    Take some time out for yourself and get lost in a good book. At this friendly, drop-in book club you can bring something you’re already reading or pick from our shared shelf. Fourth Sunday of every month.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    13 Oct 2025to31 Dec 2025
    More info for Books at the Hearth - The Auckland Project
  14. Documents which read, 'Forensic Report 37325' and 'Police Case 37325'

    Add Post Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner 2026 - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Post Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner 2026 - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Lord Spinner Webbe has invited friends and family to his grand home for Christmas/New Year celebrations. His Lordship has a reputation for practical jokes and a love of riddles and secret passageways throughout his home. 

    Dates

    From:
    17 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 01:00
    From:
    30 Jan 2026Open 18:00 - 01:00
    More info for Post Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner 2026 - Lumley Castle Hotel
  15. 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 2025to31 Dec 2025Various Opening Times
    More info for Saturday Outdoor Market
  16. 3 women in Santa hats laughing and drinking from champagne flutes.

    Add Christmas Party Night - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Christmas Party Night - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester le Street

    Get ready to celebrate the festive season in style with our  lively Christmas Party Night! Enjoy a delicious two-course  dinner followed by a fun-filled evening of dancing and entertainment. Whether you’re gathering with colleagues,  friends, or…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2025Open 19:30 - 01:00
    From:
    6 Dec 2025Open 19:30 - 01:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2025Open 19:30 - 01:00
    From:
    31 Jan 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Christmas Party Night - Lumley Castle Hotel
  17. The game Cluedo. Board showing a wrench in the Library.

    Add Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Guests arrive at the opulent Black Mansion for an elegant 1950s cocktail party, only to discover their host has vanished, presumed dead. But who is behind the crime? 

    Dates

    From:
    7 Mar 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for Murder Mystery Dinner - Murder without a Clue - Lumley Castle Hotel
  18. Children in Hamsterley Forest searching for stick characters on The Stickman Man Trail. Credit Forestry England Crown Copyright

    Add The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest to your Itinerary

    The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Hamsterley, Bishop Auckland

    Families can join a new forest adventure as the much-loved character Stick Man, based on the beautiful picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, returns to Forestry England Hamsterley.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Feb 2025to31 Jan 2026
    More info for The Stick Man Trail at Hamsterley Forest
  19. 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
  20. G4 Christmas 2025 - Christmas tree in background

    Add G4 Christmas 2025 - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    G4 Christmas 2025 - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham City

    Gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with G4's most extensive Christmas tour ever.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2025Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for G4 Christmas 2025 - Durham Cathedral
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