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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. Powering the Past - technology at Raby Castle.

    Add Powering the Past | Technology at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Powering the Past | Technology at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Staindrop

    Step behind the scenes of Raby Castle and discover how technology has shaped life at Raby.

    Venue

    Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, Staindrop

    Dates

    From:
    6 Sept 2026Open 10:30 - 11:30
    More info for Powering the Past | Technology at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  2. Large pink table holding a large assortment of colourful orchids from the North East of England Orchid Society

    Add Durham Orchid Show - Botanic Garden to your Itinerary

    Durham Orchid Show - Botanic Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Agricultural Show

    Durham

    The North East of England Orchid Society, Durham University and the Botanic Garden present the Durham Orchid Show and Craft Fair at Josephine Butler College.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Durham Orchid Show - Botanic Garden
  3. Musician Pete Atkin, smiling with his black guitar on a grey background

    Add Songwriting with Pete Atkin - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Songwriting with Pete Atkin - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Flass Street, Durham

    Pete Atkin was the songwriting partner of Clive James, achieving cult status in the 70s (and beyond). He's written songs for others and for himself to sing and record, songs for kids (Play Away) and songs for the theatre, television and radio.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 11:30
    More info for Songwriting with Pete Atkin - Durham Folk Festival
  4. Text reads, 'The Christmas Gameshow Spectacular', illustration of a Game Show title board bordered with lights and stars.

    Add The Christmas Gameshow Spectacular - Durham Cricket to your Itinerary

    The Christmas Gameshow Spectacular - Durham Cricket

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Riverside, Chester-le-Street

    Buzzers at the ready! Join Durham Cricket's Christmas Game Show Spectacular for an interactive festive night packed with live games, audience participation, prizes, a two-course meal, DJ and dancing. The ultimate Christmas party for competitive…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for The Christmas Gameshow Spectacular - Durham Cricket
  5. An arrangement of festive afternoon tea with a Christmas tree in the background on the right

    Add Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    Celebrate Christmas with a touch of elegance at Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, with a Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery, overlooking the magnificent Raby Castle.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to19 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Festive Afternoon Tea in The Vinery - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  6. Little girl and boy participating in 'Little Dragons' at Durham University Oriental Museum.

    Add Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum to your Itinerary

    Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Durham City

    Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Jan 2026to30 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Little Dragons - Durham University Oriental Museum
  7. Author Susanna Clarke accompanied with her book The Bishops of Durham, on a light yellow background with cartoon books

    Add Susanna Clarke: The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    Susanna Clarke: The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Internationally bestselling author Susanna Clarke introduces her brand-new novella, The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City, in an exclusive event in the city where the story takes place. 

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2026Open 17:00 - 18:00
    More info for Susanna Clarke: The Bishop of Durham Attempts to Surrender the City - Durham Book Festival
  8. White painted pumpkins with bats, on a table surrounded by candles

    Add Little Ones Pumpkin Painting - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Little Ones Pumpkin Painting - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Darlington

    Celebrate the autumn season with a fun and creative pumpkin painting workshop! Little artists will receive their own pumpkin along with a variety of paints and brushes to design a unique creation – no carving required! From spooky faces to colourful…

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to25 Oct 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    From:
    29 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 11:00 - 12:00
    More info for Little Ones Pumpkin Painting - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  9. A beautiful view of the Aurora Borealis in the dark night sky

    Add Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle

    The event will begin with a personal welcome from our astronomer, Gary Fildes. Gary is a very experienced science communicator and astronomer, and founder of the Kielder Observatory, where he was Director and CEO for over 11 years.

    Dates

    From:
    27 Sept 2026Open 20:00 - 23:00
    More info for Aurora Night - Grassholme Observatory
  10. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add A Dove Among a Flock of Old Crows: Women Traditional Musicians in England - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    A Dove Among a Flock of Old Crows: Women Traditional Musicians in England - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    When exploring traditional music, why do we find so little information about its women musicians? Katie Howson ranges across England, looks across the Irish Sea and the Atlantic (and even further afield) to discover more about them. Through music,…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 13:30 - 15:00
    More info for A Dove Among a Flock of Old Crows: Women Traditional Musicians in England - Durham Folk Festival
  11. The Prince Bishop River Cruiser on the river, with the text 'Folk on the Water' underneath.

    Add Folk on the Water: Jez Lowe - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Folk on the Water: Jez Lowe - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    A musical river cruise on the River Wear.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 16:30 - 17:30
    More info for Folk on the Water: Jez Lowe - Durham Folk Festival
  12. A person, shoulders down, making a Christmas wreath with a burgundy bow

    Add Luxury Christmas Wreaths with Periwinkle Barn - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Luxury Christmas Wreaths with Periwinkle Barn - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop, Darlington

    Step into the festive season in true luxury with Periwinkle Barn’s Christmas Wreath Workshop, held in the stunning glasshouse surroundings of Raby Castle’s Conservatory.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Luxury Christmas Wreaths with Periwinkle Barn - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  13. Photograph of a grand interior space with festive decoration, featuring a large Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, a chandelier, and garlands.

    Add The Winter Market - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    The Winter Market - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Barnard Castle

    Discover a festive seasonal wonderland at The Bowes Museum, with over 100 stalls market, food and drink, museum entry and activities for all ages.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    11 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for The Winter Market - The Bowes Museum
  14. G4 members wearing santa hats and suits.

    Add G4 Christmas 2026 - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    G4 Christmas 2026 - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Gather to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year as G4 bring glad tidings of great joy this festive season, with the return of their 'G4 Christmas' tour in the most awe-inspiring cathedrals, priories, minsters, halls and abbeys across the UK.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Nov 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for G4 Christmas 2026 - Durham Cathedral
  15. A group of parkrun volunteers in pink jackets outside Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens.

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

    Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens - parkrun

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Durham

    A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Nearby Sunday 2k junior parkrun events for 4 to 14 year olds and their families can be found here.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Jan 2026to26 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens - parkrun
  16. Jonathan Eyre at the Wurlitzer Organ

    Add NETOA Christmas Concert with Jonathan Eyre FRCO at the Wurlitzer Organ to your Itinerary

    NETOA Christmas Concert with Jonathan Eyre FRCO at the Wurlitzer Organ

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    JONATHAN EYRE plays a concert of Christmas music including Carols, etc. at the mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Dec 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for NETOA Christmas Concert with Jonathan Eyre FRCO at the Wurlitzer Organ
  17. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Music Session - Holy GrAle - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Music Session - Holy GrAle - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    All instruments welcome!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026Open 13:00 - 15:00
    More info for Music Session - Holy GrAle - Durham Folk Festival
  18. South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Add South Causey Monthly Dog Walk to your Itinerary

    South Causey Monthly Dog Walk

    Type

    Type:

    Dog-Friendly

    Stanley

    Join the South Causey Dog Walking Club every 1st Saturday of the month at 10 am for a picturesque stroll through the beautiful Beamish Valley. 

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for South Causey Monthly Dog Walk
  19. Wallace and Gromit characters holding brass instruments against a green background

    Add Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers LIVE with EverReady Band - Empire Consett to your Itinerary

    Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers LIVE with EverReady Band - Empire Consett

    Type

    Type:

    Family Fun

    Consett

    EverReady Band is bringing the award-winning Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers LIVE to Empire Consett this October!
    ​​​​​​​Join one of the UK’s most celebrated brass bands for an unforgettable afternoon of live music, laughter and cinematic magic.

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026Open 14:30 -
    More info for Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers LIVE with EverReady Band - Empire Consett
  20. Roman actor sat on top of a horse with roman armour and a shield.

    Add Roman Commotion - Binchester Roman Fort to your Itinerary

    Roman Commotion - Binchester Roman Fort

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Bishop Auckland

    Join the Roman Commotion at Binchester Roman Fort! Charge into a weekend of Roman Army and archaeology activity at Binchester.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Aug 2026to31 Aug 2026Open 10:00 - 16:30
    More info for Roman Commotion - Binchester Roman Fort
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