2026 Events
Key Events in Durham
Durham hosts an exciting programme of events across the county every year, which attract visitors and encourage longer stays. Below you will find a selection of key events for 2026, which can be used in your own marketing activity to give your customers a reason to visit, or return.
For further information on what’s on across the county, download or register to receive a weekly copy of the This is Durham Week Ahead e-newsletter - a valuable tool to enable you to let your customers know what's going on in Durham. The week ahead is updated and available for download every Friday.
Do you have an event to promote? Complete the event submission form to have your event listed on thisisdurham.com, the official tourism website for the county.
Vivienne Westwood: Rebel - Storyteller – Visionary
28 March - 6 September | The Bowes Museum
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England Women V New Zealand Women ODI
10 May | Seat Unique Riverside Stadium
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Durham Cricket - England Men v India Men ODI
1 July | Seat Unique Riverside Stadium
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Kynren – An Epic Tale of England
18 July - 12 September (Saturday evenings) | Bishop Auckland
Visit Website Find out more about Kynren
Durham Book Festival
October, dates TBC | Durham
Visit Website Find out more about the Durham Book Festival
North Pennines Stargazing Festival
October, date TBC | North Pennines
Visit Website Find out more about the North Pennines Stargazing Festival
Durham Christmas Festival
4 - 6 December | Durham
Visit Website Find out more about Durham Christmas FestivalMore 2026 Event Highlights
Spring
Durham World Heritage Site Day - April, date TBC
Bishop Auckland Food Festival – 18 – 19 April
Durham Pride - 24 May
Durham Comedy Festival – May dates TBC
North Pennines NatureFest - dates TBC
Summer
Durham Regatta – 13 - 14 June
Durham County Show – 4 - 5 July
Durham Miners' Gala - 11 July
Durham Brass Festival – 12 – 19 July
Durham City Run Festival - July, dates TBC
Durham Fringe Festival – 29 July – 2 August
IncludFEST - date TBC
Kynren - an epic tale of England – 18 July to 12 September (Saturday evenings)
Seaham Food Festival – 1 – 2 August
Derwent Fest 2026 – 14 – 15 August
Weardale Show - August, date TBC
Autumn
Wolsingham Show – September dates TBC
Heritage Open Days – 11 - 20 September
Durham Book Festival - October, date TBC
North Pennines Stargazing Festival - October, date TBC
Winter
Durham Restaurant Week – January dates TBC
Fire & Ice - February dates TBC
Durham Christmas Festival – 4 – 6 December 2026
Pantomime, Gala Durham – 19 November - 31 Decmember
AGLOW at The Auckland Project – November - December dates TBC