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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. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) advertising poster.

    Add John Barrymore in Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1920) with Live accompaniment by Aaron Hawthorne at the Wurlitzer organ to your Itinerary

    John Barrymore in Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1920) with Live accompaniment by Aaron Hawthorne at the Wurlitzer organ

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    Award-winning young Scottish organist AARON HAWTHORNE plays another 'live' silent movie accompaniment following his widely acclaimed performance last year.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for John Barrymore in Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1920) with Live accompaniment by Aaron Hawthorne at the Wurlitzer organ
  2. Two authors with their books on a blue background.

    Add Clare McGlynn and Natasha Walter in Conversation - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    Clare McGlynn and Natasha Walter in Conversation - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    At a time when women’s rights are being rolled back, Clare McGlynn and Natasha Walter join us to discuss how we can turn the tide on the violent sexual content that is reshaping modern society and build supportive and hopeful communities for women. 

    Dates

    From:
    11 Oct 2026Open 15:00 - 16:00
    More info for Clare McGlynn and Natasha Walter in Conversation - Durham Book Festival
  3. A young child looks through the eyepiece of a telescope.

    Add Family Astronomy at Grassholme Observatory to your Itinerary

    Family Astronomy at Grassholme Observatory

    Type

    Type:

    Stargazing Events

    nr Mickleton

    This is a great way to get children interested in astronomy and science. They will enjoy an interactive talk in the classroom and then will be able to see and touch rocks from space – meteorites. A stunning interactive talk on space stuff in the…

    Venue

    Grassholme Observatory, Teesdale

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    More info for Family Astronomy at Grassholme Observatory
  4. A bush of green leaves and figs

    Add Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Mellor & Rose - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Mellor & Rose - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Summer Event

    Darlington

    Discover the joy of calming and creative Calligraphy at Raby Castle with Mellor & Rose on our Christmas Calligraphy Workshop this October! Christmas is a perfect time to pick up a pen and learn the art of Calligraphy to letter up your greetings…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Modern Calligraphy Workshop with Mellor & Rose - Raby Castle, Park and Gardens
  5. A person wearing a shirt and tie, holding a guitar. The text  underneath reads 'Petunia.'

    Add Petunia - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Petunia - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Joining us from Canada, Petunia is more than just an entertainer; he’s a modern musical enigma. Imagine David Lynch and Nick Cave had a hillbilly baby that yodeled…or Tom Waits met Elvis at Woody Guthrie’s hobo junction. He’s been referred to as…

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    More info for Petunia - Durham Folk Festival
  6. Artist Denis Harry Fox holding a painting.

    Add The Battle of Britain in North-East England with Artist Denis Harry Fox - The Story to your Itinerary

    The Battle of Britain in North-East England with Artist Denis Harry Fox - The Story

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham

    Denis Harry Fox is a Seaham-born artist and historian who studied at Durham and Newcastle Universities.His Battle of Britain paintings have been exhibited at major venues including Durham Cathedral, Bamburgh Castle, Hexham Abbey, Ushaw Historic…

    Dates

    From:
    17 Sept 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30
    More info for The Battle of Britain in North-East England with Artist Denis Harry Fox - The Story
  7. Close up view of a half eaten Christmas pudding on an ornate plate.

    Add Christmas Pudding Cookery Masterclass - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Pudding Cookery Masterclass - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Darlington

    Grab your apron and roll up your sleeves for a festive experience in Raby Castle’s Medieval Kitchen. Estate Chef Tom Parry will lead a hands-on demonstration, guiding guests through the process of making a traditional Christmas pudding. This is a…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026to8 Nov 2026
    More info for Christmas Pudding Cookery Masterclass - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  8. Three photos of people on a yellow background surrounded by cartoon books

    Add New Northern Voices: Louise Powell, Sufiyaan Salam and Shaun Wilson - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    New Northern Voices: Louise Powell, Sufiyaan Salam and Shaun Wilson - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Three exciting new authors introduce their powerful debut novels. Northern communities are vividly brought to life through the young son of an ex-miner in 90s County Durham in Underdogs, three brown boys on Manchester’s Curry Mile in Wimmy Road…

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2026Open 14:30 - 15:30
    More info for New Northern Voices: Louise Powell, Sufiyaan Salam and Shaun Wilson - Durham Book Festival
  9. Authors with their books on a light blue background

    Add Gaming and Storytelling with Lucy Rose and Sarah Maria Griffin - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    Gaming and Storytelling with Lucy Rose and Sarah Maria Griffin - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Lucy Rose, author of The Lamb, and Sarah Maria Griffin, author of Strange is the Light, will discuss how they use video games as tools to inspire their writing. They’ll explore how video games can take us on a journey to epic fantasy realms or…

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2026Open 17:30 - 18:30
    More info for Gaming and Storytelling with Lucy Rose and Sarah Maria Griffin - Durham Book Festival
  10. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Fiddle Workshop - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Fiddle Workshop - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Market Place, Durham

    With the wonderful Jackie Oates. A focus on learning traditional folk fiddle tunes by ear, along with bowing styles and ornamentation.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 11:00
    More info for Fiddle Workshop - Durham Folk Festival
  11. Text reads, 'A Night Under The Big Top, The Grand Finale of Durham Cricket's Christmas Circus'. Graphic image of circus tent.

    Add A Night Under The Big Top - Durham Cricket to your Itinerary

    A Night Under The Big Top - Durham Cricket

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Riverside, Chester-le-Street

    Celebrate the grand finale of Durham Cricket's Christmas Circus with a festive arrival drink, three-course meal, classic funfair games, DJ and dancing. A magical Christmas party where festive traditions meet the nostalgic charm of the fairground.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 00:00
    More info for A Night Under The Big Top - Durham Cricket
  12. Children watching a demonstration in a park

    Add Creepy Creations - Wharton Park to your Itinerary

    Creepy Creations - Wharton Park

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Durham

    Create a creepy vibe in your house or garden by joining us to make your own handmade Halloween decorations.  Using mainly natural materials you can design your own nightmare catcher and wooden spooky character totem pole. All materials are provided…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 12:00
    More info for Creepy Creations - Wharton Park
  13. Poster for Halloween scare nights, decorated with horror characters and circus tents.

    Add SCARE NIGHTS - Thorpe Farm Centre to your Itinerary

    SCARE NIGHTS - Thorpe Farm Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Barnard Castle

    Two Spooktacular Experiences – Choose Your Scare!

    Dates

    From:
    29 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 16:00 - 21:00
    More info for SCARE NIGHTS - Thorpe Farm Centre
  14. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Macdara Yeates & Jennifer Reid - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Macdara Yeates & Jennifer Reid - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Recently, Jennifer has been exploring street song together with Macdara Yeates, bringing her rich trove of Manchester songs into play with his traditional Dublin repertoire. Experience the fruits of this collaboration in a rather unexpected venue.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 12:30 - 13:00
    More info for Macdara Yeates & Jennifer Reid - Durham Folk Festival
  15. Six people standing against a wall wearing blue tones, with the text 'Shooglenifty' at the bottom

    Add Shooglenifty; Rioghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Shooglenifty; Rioghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Durham

    Shooglenifty have blazed a trail that many other top Scottish traditional bands have followed, but they are still the original and best. They will have you on your feet with their electric new tunes and a full-on set of old favourites.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026Open 19:30 - 22:00
    More info for Shooglenifty; Rioghnach Connolly & Honeyfeet - Durham Folk Festival
  16. Exterior view of Crook Hall Gardens during summertime.

    Add Crook Hall Gardens Tour: History and Literary Links - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Crook Hall Gardens Tour: History and Literary Links - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Historical

    Durham

    Join volunteer Chris for a guided tour of Crook Hall Gardens and the medieval hall. Learn about the history of the home, all the way back 1217, when it first appears in written records. Hear about some of the fascinating families who lived here over…

    Dates

    From:
    3 June 2026to28 Oct 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Crook Hall Gardens Tour: History and Literary Links - Crook Hall Gardens
  17. Durham folk festival logo with a purple sanctuary knocker as the letter 'o', with a light yellow background.

    Add Steve Turner; Pete Atkin; Ruth & Sadie Price - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Steve Turner; Pete Atkin; Ruth & Sadie Price - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Steve Turner is known as a pioneer of highly sophisticated English concertina song accompaniments, stretching the boundaries of traditional forms, with one of the best voices in the business.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Sept 2026Open 15:30 - 18:30
    More info for Steve Turner; Pete Atkin; Ruth & Sadie Price - Durham Folk Festival
  18. Vane Tempest Hall in gloomy weather, looming in the dark.

    Add Spooky Spectacular Investigation - Vane Tempest Hall to your Itinerary

    Spooky Spectacular Investigation - Vane Tempest Hall

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Gilesgate,

    Something is waiting inside the old walls of Vane Tempest Hall... Originally opened as the Gilesgate Militia Barracks, the building later became a smallpox hospital, with the main halls used as sick rooms and the former stables becoming a room for…

    Dates

    From:
    10 Oct 2026to11 Oct 2026Open 21:00 - 03:00
    More info for Spooky Spectacular Investigation - Vane Tempest Hall
  19. A still life painting of a floral arrangement in a blue and white porcelain vase placed on a wooden surface. The composition features various flowers

    Add An Audience with Dr Margaret Bradshaw - The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    An Audience with Dr Margaret Bradshaw - The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Barnard Castle

    Celebrate the remarkable Upper Teesdale landscape and the rare flora found across the valley at this special evening with local botanist and ecologist Dr Margaret Bradshaw MBE.

    Venue

    The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026Open 19:00 -
    More info for An Audience with Dr Margaret Bradshaw - The Bowes Museum
  20. A festive wreath on a white door

    Add Wreath Making 2026 - Beamish Hall Country Hotel to your Itinerary

    Wreath Making 2026 - Beamish Hall Country Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Indulge with a glass of fizz as you arrive and join us to design and create your own Christmas door wreath or table centrepiece in stunning surroundings.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2026Open 09:30 - 15:30
    From:
    3 Dec 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
    From:
    6 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    From:
    15 Dec 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
    More info for Wreath Making 2026 - Beamish Hall Country Hotel
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