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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. The Craft & Producers' Marquee at Durham Christmas Festival

    Add Durham Christmas Festival to your Itinerary

    Durham Christmas Festival

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham Market Place, Durham City

    Durham Christmas Festival returns – the perfect combination of Christmas shopping and seasonal entertainment in the unique and stunning setting that is Durham City Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    4 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026
    More info for Durham Christmas Festival
  2. Shrub Pruning Workshop. The grounds of Raby Castle with greenhouse in the distance.

    Add Shrub Pruning Workshop to your Itinerary

    Shrub Pruning Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Staindrop

    Discover the secrets to maintaining vibrant and well-shaped shrubs in your garden! Join our Shrub Pruning Workshop, hosted our skilled Estate Gardner Jeremy.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Mar 2026
    More info for Shrub Pruning Workshop
  3. Close up of vegetables at market stall. Person standing next to veg.

    Add Consett Market to your Itinerary

    Consett Market

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Consett

    Stroll through the stalls, savour delicious local treats, and soak up the friendly atmosphere. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8:00-16:00

    Dates

    From:
    1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Consett Market
  4. Roland Bradford in army uniform.

    Add Celebrating County Durham Day at The Story to your Itinerary

    Celebrating County Durham Day at The Story

    Type

    Type:

    County Durham Day

    South Road, Durham City

    Join us at The Story as we celebrate Durham Day with a programme of activities that shine a light on County Durham’s rich and remarkable history. 

    Dates

    From:
    20 Mar 2026to21 Mar 2026
    More info for Celebrating County Durham Day at The Story
  5. Grand Finale all cast of Kynren view from the tribune

    Add Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026 to your Itinerary

    Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Performance

    Bishop Auckland

    Step into Kynren, a live action outdoor theatre spectacular that immerses you in 2000 years of history on an epic scale.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026to12 Sept 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Kynren - An Epic Tale of England - 2026
  6. A woman smiling, whilst being served Easter Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel

    Add Easter Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel to your Itinerary

    Easter Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Easter

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Celebrate Easter at the charming High Force Hotel, where timeless elegance meets breath-taking natural beauty. Treat yourself to an indulgent Afternoon Tea, thoughtfully curated with a selection of artisanal savoury sandwiches, freshly baked scones,…

    Dates

    From:
    5 Apr 2026Open 16:30 -
    More info for Easter Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel
  7. Tom McGuinness, The Hewer, 1980s, oil on board. Gemini Collection, Zurbarán Trust

    Add Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery to your Itinerary

    Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Bishop Auckland

    Our new Tom McGuinness exhibition opens on 18 February 2026. In his centenary year, the Mining Art Gallery celebrates this quiet man who communicated through his art – he did not seek simply to record details of the mining industry but expressed…

    Venue

    The Auckland Project, Bishop Auckland

    Dates

    From:
    18 Feb 2026to24 Dec 2026
    More info for Tom McGuinness: Out of the Darkness - Mining Art Gallery
  8. Couple peering into Chapter House at Durham Cathedral

    Add Durham Cathedral Secret Spaces to your Itinerary

    Durham Cathedral Secret Spaces

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham City

    This unique tour makes an ideal experience for those wanting to delve deeper into history and see parts of Durham Cathedral that are rarely open to the public.

    Dates

    From:
    1 Apr 2026Open 13:00 -
    From:
    28 Apr 2026Open 13:00 -
    More info for Durham Cathedral Secret Spaces
  9. Mrs Smith advertising poster.

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me! to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me!

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Mrs Smith was an ordinary teacher until she went viral on Facebook and accidentally became a comedian.

    Dates

    From:
    28 May 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Mrs Smith - 123, Eyes on Me!
  10. Close-up of a mannequin wearing a vibrant, multicoloured fuzzy coat in shades of blue, purple, and yellow. Underneath is a white shirt with a bold pin

    Add Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum to your Itinerary

    Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary (28 March 2026 – 6 September 2026) is a multi-gallery exhibition honouring one of fashion's most provocative and imaginative designers.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026to6 Sept 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller - Visionary at The Bowes Museum
  11. Wine and a selection of scones and jams.

    Add Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force to your Itinerary

    Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force

    Type

    Type:

    Food Events

    Forest-in-Teesdale, Durham

    Monday - Saturday Celebrate in the heart of Upper Teesdale with our cosy Fireside Afternoon Tea at High Force Hotel.

    Dates

    From:
    23 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
    More info for Fireside Afternoon Tea and Waterfall Walk at High Force
  12. Logo for the DreamWorks production of The Prince of Egypt. Elaborate gold lettering on a royal blue background containing hieroglyphics.

    Add Durham Musical Theatre Company presents The Prince of Egypt to your Itinerary

    Durham Musical Theatre Company presents The Prince of Egypt

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    Following on from their multi-award nominated productions of The Producers, Half a Sixpence, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Evita and Chess, Durham Musical Theatre Company will be one of the first amateur groups in the UK to stage The Prince of Egypt…

    Dates

    From:
    12 May 2026to16 May 2026Open 19:00 -
    From:
    13 May 2026Open 14:00 -
    From:
    16 May 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Durham Musical Theatre Company presents The Prince of Egypt
  13. Author Glenda Young holding a copy of her book, 'The Toffee Factory Girls'.

    Add Glenda Young: Sweet Stories of Chester-le-Street to your Itinerary

    Glenda Young: Sweet Stories of Chester-le-Street

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage

    Chester-le-Street

    Enjoy a special afternoon with cream tea at Lumley Castle with a Book Talk by bestselling author Glenda Young.

    Dates

    From:
    22 Mar 2026Open 14:00 - 15:30
    More info for Glenda Young: Sweet Stories of Chester-le-Street
  14. Black and white image of a cave opening out to sea.

    Add Tarney - St Mark Passion - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Tarney - St Mark Passion - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Ushaw Moor , Durham

    Welcome to listen Durham Singers performing new Easter time music. St Mark Passion is a composition for choir, orchestra and soloists by our favourite living composer Oliver Tarney.

    Dates

    From:
    28 Mar 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Tarney - St Mark Passion - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  15. Gary Delaney

    Add Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gary Delaney - Work In Progress to your Itinerary

    Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gary Delaney - Work In Progress

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    Gary tries out material just ahead of his UK tour.

    Dates

    From:
    2 Apr 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Funny Way To Be Comedy: Gary Delaney - Work In Progress
  16. An ornate 19th-century lace parasol with an intricately patterned cream lace canopy. The handle is made of ivory or bone with a decorative metal finia

    Add Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection to your Itinerary

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Barnard Castle

    Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection marks 20 years since the landmark exhibition Fine & Fashionable: Lace from the Blackborne Collection and commemorates the gift of the Blackborne lace collection to The Bowes Museum.

    Dates

    From:
    14 Nov 2026to11 Apr 2027Open 10:00 - 17:00
    More info for Lace and Legacy: Fashion Treasures from The Blackborne Collection
  17. DreamWorks Shrek The Musical logo

    Add Shrek The Musical to your Itinerary

    Shrek The Musical

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Chester-le-Street

    Based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is an award-winning fairy tale adventure.

    Dates

    From:
    10 June 2026to13 June 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Shrek The Musical
  18. Trains at Locomotion

    Add Pride at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Pride at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Shildon

    Celebrating diversity in partnership with Durham Pride, including our Trainbow craft activity.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026
    More info for Pride at Locomotion
  19. 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
  20. Crowds of people enjoying a cricket match at Durham Cricket's Banks Homes Riverside Stadium

    Add Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20 to your Itinerary

    Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20

    Type

    Type:

    Sporting Event

    Chester le Street

    Durham Men and Women kick off their home Vitality Blast campaign against Leicestershire Foxes and Hampshire Hawks in the first of five double headers at Banks Homes Riverside in 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    24 May 2026to10 July 2026
    More info for Durham Cricket 2026 Vitality Blast T20
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