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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. 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
  2. A firework display in the dark sky above a fairground.

    Add Fantastic Fireworks and Bonfire to your Itinerary

    Fantastic Fireworks and Bonfire

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Brandon, Durham

    Enjoy Bonfire Night this November at Brandon Sports Club, with firework displays and rides. Come on down and enjoy the fun!

    Dates

    From:
    6 Nov 2026Open 16:00 - 21:00
    More info for Fantastic Fireworks and Bonfire
  3. The front of Locomotion Museum covered in snow.

    Add Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion to your Itinerary

    Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Shildon

    Enjoy a festive day out amongst trains, engines and carriages. Highlights include a Christmas Market, Father Christmas in his cosy carriage grotto and free family activities.

    Dates

    From:
    26 Nov 2026to3 Jan 2027
    More info for Christmas at Locomotion - Locomotion
  4. Runners partaking in Park Run by the river, with Durham Cathedral in the background.

    Add Durham parkrun to your Itinerary

    Durham parkrun

    Type

    Type:

    Wellness Event

    Stockton Rd , Durham

    A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you! Nearby Sunday 2k junior parkrun events for 4 to 14 year olds and their families can be found here.

    Dates

    From:
    3 Jan 2026to26 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Durham parkrun
  5. Close up of the Grinch looing quizzical at the camera wearing a Santa hat in the snowy night

    Add Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - 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:
    12 Dec 2026Open 13:45 -
    More info for Grand Cinema: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (PG) - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  6. Scene showing men and women in traditional clothing, making Christmas Wreaths at Durham School

    Add Wreath Making at Durham to your Itinerary

    Wreath Making at Durham

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Making with refreshments.

    Dates

    From:
    29 Nov 2026Open 14:00 - 16:00
    More info for Wreath Making at Durham
  7. Text reads, 'Holmside Park Christmas Adventure', with images of Santa Claus, a Christmas Tree, snow and presents.

    Add Holmside Park's Christmas Adventure 2026 to your Itinerary

    Holmside Park's Christmas Adventure 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Chester-le-Street

    Embark on an unforgettable Christmas Adventure at Holmside Park this December! Wander through our beautifully lit Elf Village, where you'll collect magic reindeer dust, write a letter to Santa, make festive crafts with the Holmside Elves and…

    Venue

    Holmside Park, Chester-le-Street

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to24 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 18:00
    More info for Holmside Park's Christmas Adventure 2026
  8. Exhibition poster for Alia Gargums exhibition depicting her recent textile and sculptural works from the New Contemporaries exhibition

    Add Alia Gargum - I Forget My Words to your Itinerary

    Alia Gargum - I Forget My Words

    Type

    Type:

    Exhibition

    Providence Row, Durham

    Alia Gargum is a sculpture and installation artist who composes her work through critical and personal exploration of politics and culture, focusing on her heritage through diasporic means. Metalwork, fabric and installation elements are…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Nov 2026Open 17:00 - 19:00
    From:
    9 Nov 2026to11 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
    More info for Alia Gargum - I Forget My Words
  9. Festival of Fireworks - Graphic image of a silhouette of a fairground against an orange sky full of fireworks.

    Add Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside to your Itinerary

    Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Chester-le-Street

    Experience the North East's ultimate Festival of Fireworks, featuring one of the region's largest fireworks, laser and pyrotechnic spectaculars, perfectly choreographed to music against the stunning backdrop of the River Wear at Banks Homes…

    Dates

    From:
    7 Nov 2026Open 19:30 -
    More info for Festival of Fireworks - Banks Homes Riverside
  10. A starry blue night sky, with one bright star on the right, text in a whimsical yellow font which reads 'A Starry Night.'

    Add A Starry Night with Innominata Choir to your Itinerary

    A Starry Night with Innominata Choir

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Lanchester

    A Starry Night with Innominata Choir. A Celebration of Christmas through music and readings with carols for audience participation.

    Dates

    From:
    18 Dec 2026Open 18:30 - 20:30
    More info for A Starry Night with Innominata Choir
  11. A group of 90s celebrities surrounded by red sparkles..

    Add So...90s Christmas Party Night to your Itinerary

    So...90s Christmas Party Night

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Carville, Durham

    Get ready for this” So 90s Interactive DJ Show brings you all the greatest hits from that era, glow sticks and shell suits at the ready! Evening includes live DJ, dazzling dancers, amazing routines, giveaways, & all your favourite classic hits from…

    Dates

    From:
    6 Dec 2026Open 19:00 - 23:30
    More info for So...90s Christmas Party Night
  12. Shopping bags in a Christmas scene.

    Add Sip, Shop & Glow: Christmas Shopping Night - South Causey Inn to your Itinerary

    Sip, Shop & Glow: Christmas Shopping Night - South Causey Inn

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Join us at South Causey Inn for a magical evening of Christmas shopping, beauty, hair and wellness, in collaboration with Temple Spa, Wella Professionals & Sebastian and our beautiful Woodland Spa

    Dates

    From:
    11 Nov 2026Open 18:00 - 20:00
    More info for Sip, Shop & Glow: Christmas Shopping Night - South Causey Inn
  13. A selection of festive nut cracker soldiers lined up on a Christmas market stall surrounded by warm fairy lights.

    Add Christmas Fayre to your Itinerary

    Christmas Fayre

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Wynyard

    Discover the magic of the season at Wynyard Hall Christmas Fayre – a festive celebration for the whole family! Get ready to immerse yourself in the festive magic at the Wynyard Hall Christmas Fayre! We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now…

    Dates

    From:
    20 Nov 2026to22 Nov 2026Open 10:00 -
    More info for Christmas Fayre
  14. Marian ceramic plaque

    Add Marian Art in Durham Cathedral to your Itinerary

    Marian Art in Durham Cathedral

    Type

    Type:

    Talks

    Durham City

    Join Professor Jane Heath from the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University on this specially curated tour of the Marian Art in Durham Cathedral.

    Dates

    From:
    21 Nov 2026Open 11:00 -
    More info for Marian Art in Durham Cathedral
  15. An adult and small child walking hand in hand down an autumnal path.

    Add Christmas Vine Wreath Workshop with The Northern Flower Garden to your Itinerary

    Christmas Vine Wreath Workshop with The Northern Flower Garden

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    Join florist Debbie from The Northern Flower Garden to celebrate the festive season as you make wreaths together. During this workshop, you’ll create a slightly more pared-back style of wreath, perfect if you love a natural, understated look.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 13:00
    More info for Christmas Vine Wreath Workshop with The Northern Flower Garden
  16. A vibrant and colourful firework display.

    Add Barnard Castle Bonfire Night to your Itinerary

    Barnard Castle Bonfire Night

    Type

    Type:

    Bonfire Night

    Barnard Castle

    Barnard Castle Christmas Lights in association with The Clique present Bonfire Night with traditional fireworks on Upper Demesnes (opposite The Bowes Museum).

    Dates

    From:
    6 Nov 2026Open 17:30 -
    More info for Barnard Castle Bonfire Night
  17. A landscape view of a turret of Brancepeth Castle, through the silhouette of trees and a carpark.

    Add Brancepeth Castle Christmas Craft Fair 2026 to your Itinerary

    Brancepeth Castle Christmas Craft Fair 2026

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Durham

    A spectacular three day craft fair in a country castle! Around 70 stalls of unique crafts. Cafes open all day serving delicious home made food and cakes. Craft workshops and activities.

    Venue

    Brancepeth Castle, Brancepeth

    Dates

    From:
    27 Nov 2026to28 Nov 2026Open 10:00 - 17:00
    From:
    29 Nov 2026Open 12:00 - 17:00
    More info for Brancepeth Castle Christmas Craft Fair 2026
  18. Father Christmas sitting in an armchair greeting a young family in the cafe

    Add Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North to your Itinerary

    Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Kick off your day with something magical! Join Father Christmas for breakfast in the Coffee Pot Café at the Entrance Building, before he heads off on his Christmas duties.

    Dates

    From:
    5 Dec 2026to6 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    12 Dec 2026to13 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    From:
    19 Dec 2026to20 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 10:00
    More info for Breakfast with Father Christmas - Beamish, The Living Museum of the North
  19. People in a festive hall playing bingo with their arms raised in the air.

    Add Christmas Bingo With Balls to your Itinerary

    Christmas Bingo With Balls

    Type

    Type:

    Christmas and New Year

    Stanley

    Get ready for a festive party like no other… Bingo With Balls returns with sparkle, sass, and non-stop entertainment. Hosted by North East drag star Ophelia Balls and her fabulous Guest Qweenz, expect dazzling performances, hilarious games,…

    Dates

    From:
    12 Dec 2026Open 19:00 -
    More info for Christmas Bingo With Balls
  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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