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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 ornate marble statue of a hooded figure connected to a church

    Add Heritage Open Days - Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Between the train and the bus stations, a landmark in the Durham City Conservation Area, St. Godric's Grade II listed church was designed by Edward Pugin. Opened in 1864 it has beautiful examples of Victorian stained glass and a fine high altar.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026to19 Sept 2026Open 11:00 - 17:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Church of Our Lady of Mercy and St. Godric
  2. A person singing outside with a guitar and microphone, with the text 'Calum Baird' underneath.

    Add Calum Baird - People's Bookshop - Durham Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    Calum Baird - People's Bookshop - Durham Folk Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    Calum Baird is an emerging Scottish folk, punk and story-telling singer-songwriter and musician who's been featured on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio Scotland.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 19:30 - 21:00
    More info for Calum Baird - People's Bookshop - Durham Folk Festival
  3. Close up of a Christmas wreath with gold, green and red decorations.

    Add Festive Wreath Making Masterclass - Seaham Hall Hotel to your Itinerary

    Festive Wreath Making Masterclass - Seaham Hall Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Seaham

    Celebrate the season in style at Seaham Hall with an exclusive festive experience designed to inspire and delight.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Nov 2026Open 15:00 - 17:30
    More info for Festive Wreath Making Masterclass - Seaham Hall Hotel
  4. A close up of a model railway

    Add Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026 - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026 - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    Discover the charm of miniature railways at this exciting free event. Marvel at more than 20 model railway layouts in a range of gauges—presented by members of Shildon Model Railway Club and their guests.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Oct 2026to4 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Shildon Model Railway Club Exhibition 2026 - Locomotion
  5. Gala Lunchtime Concert - September - Gala Durham

    Add Gala Lunchtime Concert - September - Gala Durham to your Itinerary

    Gala Lunchtime Concert - September - Gala Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham

    Renowned for their distinctive compositions and innovative use of effects and loops, the Mark Williams Trio crafts a unique modern sound that distinguishes them from traditional guitar-led jazz trios.

    Dates

    From:
    25 Sept 2026Open 13:00 -
    More info for Gala Lunchtime Concert - September - Gala Durham
  6. Birds eye view of an ornate church with an altar and pews.

    Add St Cuthbert's Catholic Church - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    St Cuthbert's Catholic Church - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Visit this simple, peaceful church to rest a while or to see the stunning window by the world-famous Irish stained glass artist Harry Clarke or works by the late renowned local sculptor Fenwick Lawson.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026to20 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for St Cuthbert's Catholic Church - Heritage Open Days
  7. Two photos of festive wreaths.

    Add Christmas Floristry Workshops - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Christmas Floristry Workshops - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    Join us this Christmas for a series of festive floristry workshops under the guidance of professional florist Sue McGhee from Botanical House of Gardenia. You’ll have the opportunity to create your own beautiful Christmas Door Wreath or Christmas…

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026to28 Nov 2026Various Opening Times
    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 13:00 - 15:30
    More info for Christmas Floristry Workshops - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  8. Two misty purple cocktails with berries on top

    Add Halloween Cocktail Masterclass - The Curious Mr Fox to your Itinerary

    Halloween Cocktail Masterclass - The Curious Mr Fox

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Durham

    Join us for a one-off Halloween Cocktail Masterclass from 6-8pm featuring spooky cocktails, mezze boards & certificate

    Dates

    From:
    31 Oct 2026Open 18:00 - 21:00
    More info for Halloween Cocktail Masterclass - The Curious Mr Fox
  9. The interior of an extravagant chapel, with stained glass windows surrounding it

    Add Heritage Open Days - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Heritage Open Days - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Durham

    Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens is tucked away in beautiful open countryside near Durham City. An arts, heritage and events venue, waiting for you to escape the everyday, stop the world for a while and be surprised.

    Dates

    From:
    15 Sept 2026to16 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Heritage Open Days - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens
  10. 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
  11. Ornate floral wood carvings in a church.

    Add St Mary the Virgin - Heritage Open Days to your Itinerary

    St Mary the Virgin - Heritage Open Days

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage Open Days

    Easington, Peterlee

    A 12th century Parish Church, with evidence of Saxon origins. The building contains Medieval pieces including a beautiful example of a Frosterly Marble tomb effigy. There are beautiful stained glass windows and oak pews dating back to 1660.

    Dates

    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 13:00
    More info for St Mary the Virgin - Heritage Open Days
  12. Film posters for The Grinch, Its A Wonderful Life and Elf on a background of red cinema chairs.

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

    Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Bearpark, Durham

    This December, settle in for some much-loved Christmas movies in the Exhibition Hall Theatre. Experience the festive mischief of The Grinch, the timeless magic of It’s a Wonderful Life and the hilarious Christmas spirit of Elf—all on the big screen,…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 12:30 -
    More info for Christmas Movies - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  13. 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
  14. 3 children standing whilst Mr and Mrs Clause sit beside them with red presents

    Add Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens to your Itinerary

    Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Staindrop, Darlington

    Step inside the beautifully decorated Yultide Yurt at Raby Castle this Christmas for a magical meet-and-greet with Mr and Mrs Claus Surrounded by sparkling lights and festive décor, enjoy a heart-warming experience.

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026
    More info for Meet Mr and Mrs Claus at the Yuletide Yurt - Raby Castle, Park & Gardens
  15. Feather quill.

    Add Beginners Blacksmithing - Unit 1 Morrison Industrial Estate to your Itinerary

    Beginners Blacksmithing - Unit 1 Morrison Industrial Estate

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Annfield Plain, Stanley

    Industrial Arts and Crafts. In this beginner blacksmithing course you will learn ancient techniques to forge a beautiful feather quill set you can treasure forever!

    Dates

    From:
    18 Sept 2026Open 18:00 - 20:30
    From:
    19 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 18:30
    More info for Beginners Blacksmithing - Unit 1 Morrison Industrial Estate
  16. Muppets wearing Victorian Clothing gathered around in the snow in the Muppets Christmas Carol Poster

    Add Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Transport yourself to the golden age of cinema with a nostalgic afternoon in our beautifully restored 1950s Grand cinema. The Grand cinema, from Ryhope, in Sunderland, has been recreated and brought to life in our 1950s Town.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Nov 2026Open 14:15 -
    From:
    19 Dec 2026Open 14:15 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: The Muppet Christmas Carol (U) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  17. Authors with their book on a blue background.

    Add Life Writing with Louise Doughty and Nicola Wilding - Durham Book Festival to your Itinerary

    Life Writing with Louise Doughty and Nicola Wilding - Durham Book Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham

    When secret truths are revealed about our families’ inner lives, how do writers portray them faithfully and respectfully in their work? 

    Dates

    From:
    11 Oct 2026Open 12:00 - 13:00
    More info for Life Writing with Louise Doughty and Nicola Wilding - Durham Book Festival
  18. A person dressed as a witch in a green dress and hat at Adventure Valley.

    Add Halloween Half Term - Adventure Valley to your Itinerary

    Halloween Half Term - Adventure Valley

    Type

    Type:

    Halloween

    Durham

    Celebrate Halloween with us this half term! Meet our friendly halloween characters, delivering giggles not ghouls. Promoting a happy, joyful halloween event!

    Dates

    From:
    24 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Halloween Half Term - Adventure Valley
  19. A starry night sky

    North Pennines Stargazing Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    The North Pennines Stargazing Festival is back for 2026 – running between Friday 16 October and Sunday 1 November. This year is the tenth edition of the annual festival. Events are being organised by the North Pennines National Landscape team and a…

    Dates

    From:
    16 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026
    More info for North Pennines Stargazing Festival
  20. 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
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