What’s on in the Culture County in July

Durham is the Culture County and across an action-packed July we are set to host a summer of fun, from the spectacular Brass Festival to the extraordinary Durham Fringe Festival. The Spennymoor Mural Festival kicked off events in July by showcasing 10 new murals, but don't worry there's plenty of other events to discover this month. We’ve picked a few highlights below…

Durham Brass Festival (5-13 July)

Bringing the party to outdoor spaces across Durham, The Durham Brass festival will run from the 5-13 July, with performances from world-class musicians, international street bands and much more.

Durham County Show (6-7 July)

The annual Durham County Show will showcase British Show Jumping, Sheep Dog Trials, and a range of local food and beverage stalls. The County Show has so much more to see and do and will keep you entertained across the whole weekend.

138th Durham Miners' Gala (13 July)

The Durham Miners' Gala is the world's greatest celebration of community, international solidarity, and working-class culture. It is a unique and inspiring spectacle.  More than 200,000 people pack the streets of Durham City to enjoy the sights and sounds of The Big Meeting.

Ushaw's Summer Spectacle (Open Daily)

Every day of the summer holidays Ushaw Historic House, Chapels and Gardens will have fun for the whole family with a whole host of events and activities, celebrating nature, arts and moving parts! 

Durham City Run Festival (18-20 July)

The Durham City Run Festival will run from 18-20 July. Across the three days there will be events and activities for the whole family.

Kith and Kinship: Norman Cornish and L. S. Lowry (20 July-19 Jan 2025)

Experience rarely seen and often overlooked works by Northern artists, Norman Cornish and L S Lowry, in this powerful exhibition celebrating the region’s distinctive industry, emotive landscapes and playful recreation activities. Opening on 20 July and running until January 2025, 50 of the artists’ paintings, drawings and sketchbooks spotlight their friends, neighbours, passers-by and relatives in familiar scenes from across the region.

Peace Doves at Durham Cathedral (26 July -4 Sept 2024)

This summer, Durham Cathedral will welcome Peter Walker’s installation – Peace Doves.Opening on July 26th and running until September the 4th 2024, Over 15,000 paper doves created by visitors with messages of peace will be suspended above the Cathedral’s historic Nave this summer.

 
Durham Fringe Festival (24-28 July)

Durham Fringe Festival 2024 returns bigger and better with 90 different shows.  Running from Wednesday 24 to Sunday 28 July, it’s looking to be the best festival yet!  The 2024 festival offers dance, drama, music, comedy and magic including sell-out favourites from 2023 like Tom Bolton’s Grow Up Magic Man and the Durham Revue as well as a whole host of new shows from all over the UK and beyond! 

View even more events taking place across the Culture County this month.