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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. An adult and small child walking hand in hand down an autumnal path.

    Add Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail to your Itinerary

    Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Step into a world where familiar fairy tales are transformed into imaginative works of art this winter. Explore a collection of fairytale-inspired art installations at Crook Hall Gardens. Art students from Durham Sixth Form Centre drew inspiration…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to28 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Grimm’s Fairy Tales Reimagined Art Trail
  2. A festive afternoon tea spread.

    Add Festive Afternoon Tea - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Festive Afternoon Tea - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    South Causey Inn offers the most magical surroundings to enjoy our Festive Afternoon Teas. Enjoy classic pairings of turkey sandwiches, festive pastries, mouthwatering Christmas cakes, and freshly made scones with clotted cream and strawberry…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026to4 Jan 2027Open 11:45 - 16:15
    More info for Festive Afternoon Tea - South Causey Inn
  3. A black and white image of Hardwick Park

    Add Father Christmas to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stockton-on-Tees

    Make Christmas extra special this year, visit Father Christmas at Hardwick Park in his Festive Yurt.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    More info for Father Christmas
  4. Four musicians sat on a dark stage, holding a variety of folk instruments.

    Add Winter Wonderband to your Itinerary

    Winter Wonderband

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Barnard Castle

    Winter Wonderband is a collaboration founded in 2012 between long term musical friends – Saul Rose on melodeon (Faustus, Waterson Carthy, War Horse), Beth Porter on Cello (Spell Songs, Wayward Band, Bookshop Band), Maclaine Colston on hammered…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Winter Wonderband
  5. Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones standing side-by side in blue velvet suits against a festive background.

    Add The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season as The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long embarks on its debut UK tour in November and December 2026. Starring much-loved performers and presenters Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, this…

    Dates

    From:
    2 Dec 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong - Durham Cathedral
  6. Fireworks at Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors and crowds below.

    Add Light Up the Park to your Itinerary

    Light Up the Park

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Seaham

    Welcome in the festive season by joining us on Saturday 7th November from 4.30pm to 8.30pm for our much anticipated Light Up the Park Christmas event!

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 20:30
    More info for Light Up the Park
  7. Roger Wagner The Seeds of Eternity exhibition.

    Add Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace to your Itinerary

    Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    The Bishop Trevor Rooms at Auckland Palace will host an exhibition of the works of artist and poet Roger Wagner. Weaving together Biblical narratives and contemporary landscapes, Wagner's visionary paintings explore the mysteries of human existence.

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Roger Wagner: The Seeds of Eternity - Exhibition at Auckland Palace
  8. An adult and small child walking hand in hand down an autumnal path.

    Add Being Human, Sensing Nature: A Creative Walk in Durham’s Green Corridor to your Itinerary

    Being Human, Sensing Nature: A Creative Walk in Durham’s Green Corridor

    Type

    Type:

    Walking Event

    Durham

    Join the Being Human team for a creative walk in the Durham City Green Corridor. Throughout this walk with the Being Human team, we'll explore the natural and cultural heritage of Durham through creative methods like zines, photographs, and sound…

    Dates

    From:
    8 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 14:00
    From:
    14 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 14:00
    More info for Being Human, Sensing Nature: A Creative Walk in Durham’s Green Corridor
  9. Dr John Castling and Professor Christopher Gerrard with archaeology students and volunteers - Credit Stuart Boulton

    Add Archaeology ‘Open Lab’ - an Auckland Project Exhibition to your Itinerary

    Archaeology ‘Open Lab’ - an Auckland Project Exhibition

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    Archaeologists uncovering the hidden history of Auckland Palace are inviting the public behind the scenes as historic finds from eight years of excavations are analysed in a new ‘open laboratory’ in Bishop Auckland town centre. Fridays weekly…

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    16 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Archaeology ‘Open Lab’ - an Auckland Project Exhibition
  10. A golden retriever dog wearing a Santa hat in front of a blurred Christmas tree.

    Add Santa Paws & Festive Afternoon Tea to your Itinerary

    Santa Paws & Festive Afternoon Tea

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Get ready for the paw-fect festive afternoon! Join us at South Causey Inn for our Festive Doggy Afternoon Tea, a magical Christmas celebration for you and your four-legged friends!

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 13:00 - 16:00
    More info for Santa Paws & Festive Afternoon Tea
  11. A historic stone room with low curved ceilings and fairy lights

    Add Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle to your Itinerary

    Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Food & Drink

    Chester le Street

    Seated on wooden benches, at wooden tables in the Castles Baronial Hall. A 5-course feast is served with mead & wine, whilst being entertained by Ladies of the court, Court Chamberlain & Herald, with musicians, all in traditional costume.

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026Open 18:30 - 00:00
    More info for Medieval Knight Dinner - Lumley Castle
  12. A person holding a microphone wearing a white suit, surrounded by festive purple sparkles.

    Add Get Down ...Uptown Party Band Christmas Night to your Itinerary

    Get Down ...Uptown Party Band Christmas Night

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Carville, Durham

    Ditch the carols and surrender to the sound. Get Down... Uptown brings a big-city sound to Ramside Hall, specialising in high-end pop and funk that keeps the party peaking all night!

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026to5 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:30
    From:
    11 Dec 2026to12 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:30
    More info for Get Down ...Uptown Party Band Christmas Night
  13. Four musicians playing brass instruments.

    Add Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour - Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour - Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Festive Event

    Durham

    This isn’t just a collection of Christmas music – it’s a celebration of the season’s full emotional range. Joy, wonder, reflection, play. Big bold choruses and quiet, candlelit moments. Music that lets you sing along one minute and stop to breathe…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Brass and Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Winter Tour - Durham Cathedral
  14. Santa and his helpers aboard the train.

    Add Santa Express - Weardale Railway to your Itinerary

    Santa Express - Weardale Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bishop Auckland,

    Santa Express – A Magical Christmas Journey. Create unforgettable Christmas memories aboard the Santa Express at Weardale Railway. Running on selected dates throughout November and December, this festive heritage train departs from Stanhope Station…

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 09:30 - 18:00
    More info for Santa Express - Weardale Railway
  15. Photograph of a grand interior space with festive decoration, featuring a large Christmas tree with lights and ornaments, a chandelier, and garlands.

    Add The Bowes Museum Winter Market to your Itinerary

    The Bowes Museum Winter Market

    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 Bowes Museum Winter Market
  16. 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
  17. A casino table with people wearing suits gathered around.

    Add From Durham with Love to your Itinerary

    From Durham with Love

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Dry Martini anyone? Shaken not stirred! Join us for a night of fun, try your hand at one of our casino tables and games and see if you come up a winner! Enjoy great food and entertainment. Red carpet arrival at 7pm and enjoy a 007 cocktail followed…

    Dates

    From:
    11 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:55
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:55
    More info for From Durham with Love
  18. Santa giving a present to a small child in front of two ornate Christmas trees

    Add Father Christmas at Raby Castle to your Itinerary

    Father Christmas at Raby Castle

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop

    Experience the Magic of Christmas with Father Christmas in Raby Castle’s Barons’ Hall. Cherish and create new family traditions with a special visit to see Father Christmas at Raby Castle. Bells will ring and footmen will guide you up to the…

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Father Christmas at Raby Castle
  19. A garden in front of a historic stone house.

    Add Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens to your Itinerary

    Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    October Half Term

    Durham

    Autumn has arrived! Leaves are falling, and the gardens are changing from bright green to lovely gold, orange, and brown.

    Dates

    From:
    17 Oct 2026to8 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Wellies, Wildlife & Autumn Fun Trail - October Half Term 2026 - Crook Hall Gardens
  20. A large Christmas tree standing between big stone columns in Durham Cathedral.

    Add NSPCC Carol Service to your Itinerary

    NSPCC Carol Service

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Join as we sing our favourite Christmas Carols in support of NSPCC.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for NSPCC Carol Service
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