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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. Grimethorpe Colliery Band

    Add Grimethorpe Colliery Band In Concert to your Itinerary

    Grimethorpe Colliery Band In Concert

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Founded over a century ago in a Yorkshire mining village, Grimethorpe Colliery Band achieved a worldwide reputation from the hit film Brassed Off and are regarded as one of Britain's finest brass bands.

    Dates

    From:
    19 July 2026Open 14:00 -
    More info for Grimethorpe Colliery Band In Concert
  2. Crowds of people enjoying the Durham Fringe Festival on Palace Green, Durham city.

    Add Durham Fringe Festival 2026 to your Itinerary

    Durham Fringe Festival 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Durham City

    Between 29th July and 2nd August 2026, Durham Fringe Festival will host a spectacular array of performing arts.  Genres include theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, and…

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2026to2 Aug 2026
    More info for Durham Fringe Festival 2026
  3. Old drawing of Durham Cathedral

    Add A Treasure and a Legacy: Conservation at Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    A Treasure and a Legacy: Conservation at Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Durham City

    As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Durham Cathedral being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, delve deeper into the architecture and how people have cared for the building over the centuries.

    Dates

    From:
    12 Mar 2026to28 June 2026Open 10:00 - 15:00
    More info for A Treasure and a Legacy: Conservation at Durham Cathedral
  4. 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!
  5. Text reads, 'Quiz Night, Team Solan Quiz, Hosted at Curlew Cafe'.

    Add Charity Quiz Night - High Farm Holiday Park to your Itinerary

    Charity Quiz Night - High Farm Holiday Park

    Type

    Type:

    Charity event/Fundraiser

    Bishop Auckland

    Quiz Night Hosted by Curlew Café. Come along and join Team Solan for a evening to Quizzing, Great Food, Raffle & Fun.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026Open 18:30 - 22:30
    More info for Charity Quiz Night - High Farm Holiday Park
  6. Celebrations at the Toffee Factory front book cover.

    Add Celebrations at the Toffee Factory book launch at The Lambton Arms to your Itinerary

    Celebrations at the Toffee Factory book launch at The Lambton Arms

    Type

    Type:

    Local Events

    Chester-le-Street

    Join bestselling author Glenda Young for the book launch of the final book in the Horner's Toffee Factory and Dainty Dinah trilogy.

    Dates

    From:
    6 June 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
    More info for Celebrations at the Toffee Factory book launch at The Lambton Arms
  7. Club Member with her flower arrangement.

    Add Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Workshop to your Itinerary

    Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Workshop

    Type

    Type:

    Workshop

    Sedgefield

    A flower club workshop where participants make a flower arrangement led by area demonstrator Val Guest, of 40 years experience. Refreshments provided and you can take home your creation.

    Dates

    From:
    21 July 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    From:
    15 Dec 2026Open 19:15 - 21:15
    More info for Ferryhill, Sedgefield and District Flower Club - Workshop
  8. A model railway including train and station.

    Add Magnificent Models Weekend at Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Magnificent Models Weekend at Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Shildon

    See the wonderful world of railways in miniature at this fantastic free event, delivered in partnership with Locomotion Models.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026to17 May 2026
    More info for Magnificent Models Weekend at Locomotion
  9. Summer 1912: illustration of the Tyrones above an image of their family home on the coast of New England.

    Add Long Day’s Journey Into Night - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens to your Itinerary

    Long Day’s Journey Into Night - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Theatre

    Durham

    Elysium Theatre Company presents Long Day’s Journey Into Night by Eugene O’Neill on Monday 18 May 2026.

    Dates

    From:
    18 May 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Long Day’s Journey Into Night - Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens
  10. Kevin Morgan FRCO at the Wurlitzer theatre organ

    Add Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with Phil Kelsall MBE from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool to your Itinerary

    Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with Phil Kelsall MBE from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Howden le Wear, Crook

    Resident organist of the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool, PHIL KELSALL MBE, plays a concert of favourite music at the mighty Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the New Victoria Centre.

    Dates

    From:
    17 May 2026Open 14:30 - 17:00
    More info for Music from the Mighty Wurlitzer with Phil Kelsall MBE from the Tower Ballroom Blackpool
  11. Choral Society choir

    Add Durham Choral Society - Lux Aeterna, Morten Lauridsen and Mass in D Major, Dvořák to your Itinerary

    Durham Choral Society - Lux Aeterna, Morten Lauridsen and Mass in D Major, Dvořák

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    Durham Choral Society returns to Durham Cathedral for an uplifting and deeply contemplative evening of choral music, bringing together two radiant masterworks that explore faith, light and spiritual hope. Doors open 6.45pm for 7.30pm start.

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026Open 19:30 - 22:00
    More info for Durham Choral Society - Lux Aeterna, Morten Lauridsen and Mass in D Major, Dvořák
  12. Spring Artisan Market. Illustration of two people at a market stall.

    Add Spring Artisan Market - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors to your Itinerary

    Spring Artisan Market - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors

    Type

    Type:

    Markets

    Seaham

    Celebrate the season with a wonderful weekend of spring shopping, bringing together a fantastic selection of carefully chosen local artisan makers and independent producers. Discover a vibrant mix of unique gifts, seasonal delights and irresistible…

    Dates

    From:
    16 May 2026to17 May 2026
    More info for Spring Artisan Market - Dalton Park Outlet & Outdoors
  13. Ever Ready Band performing.

    Add EverReady Band performing Myth, Magic & More to your Itinerary

    EverReady Band performing Myth, Magic & More

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham City

    One of the North East's most celebrated brass ensembles, EverReady Band brings epic stories and cinematic soundscapes to life in the beautiful surroundings of Durham Cathedral as part of the 2026 Durham Brass Festival.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for EverReady Band performing Myth, Magic & More
  14. Isabel Maria.

    Add Brassed On featuring Dilettante, Vice Killer & Isabel Maria alongside brass to your Itinerary

    Brassed On featuring Dilettante, Vice Killer & Isabel Maria alongside brass

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Durham City

    Celebrating the incredible versatility of brass, Brassed On will perform a show featuring North East local artists.

    Dates

    From:
    18 July 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Brassed On featuring Dilettante, Vice Killer & Isabel Maria alongside brass
  15. 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
  16. Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Add Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel to your Itinerary

    Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel

    Type

    Type:

    Music Event

    Chester-Le-Street

    Lumley Castle Hotel at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, will be the backdrop for Opulence, running on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September.

    While the big-name performers are not being unveiled until later this month, organisers have promised it will…

    Dates

    From:
    4 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026
    More info for Opulence at Lumley Castle Hotel
  17. Mark Watson leaning against a wall

    Add Mark Watson "Before It Overtakes Us" - The Witham to your Itinerary

    Mark Watson "Before It Overtakes Us" - The Witham

    Type

    Type:

    Comedy

    Barnard Castle

    20 years in stand-up for the 'Taskmaster' cheeky texts icon, multi-award-winner.

    Dates

    From:
    12 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Mark Watson "Before It Overtakes Us" - The Witham
  18. Exterior view of St. Brandon's Church.

    Add Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico to your Itinerary

    Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Durham

    For their traditional summer concert, the Durham Singers are taking their audiences on a sunny trip to South America. The festive theme for the concert comes from Mexican rhythms and colours of traditional and contemporary choral music.

    Dates

    From:
    27 June 2026Open 19:30 - 21:30
    More info for Echoes of Puebla: Choral Music from Mexico
  19. Text reads, 'Summer Sing-a-Long starring the Forget Me Not Singers. 7 June 2026, 2pm-3pm.' Graphic image of pink flowers and leaves in the background.

    Add Summer Sing-a-Long - Chester-le-Street Methodist Church to your Itinerary

    Summer Sing-a-Long - Chester-le-Street Methodist Church

    Type

    Type:

    Concert

    Chester le Street

    Summer Sing along free event starring the 'Forget Me Not Singers' 7th June 2026, 2pm - 3pm. 

    Dates

    From:
    7 June 2026Open 14:00 - 15:00
    More info for Summer Sing-a-Long - Chester-le-Street Methodist Church
  20. A fairground on the street.

    Add Sacriston Party in the Park to your Itinerary

    Sacriston Party in the Park

    Type

    Type:

    Children/Family events

    Sacriston

    Free community fun day including fairground rides, inflatables, climbing wall, face-painting & much more!

    Dates

    From:
    6 June 2026Open 11:00 - 15:00
    More info for Sacriston Party in the Park
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