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Events in Durham
Discover more of Durham’s packed calendar of festivals and events.
To mark the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025, the nine-month S&DR200 Festival will take from March to November 2025, featuring steam train journeys, innovative exhibitions, visual arts and large-scale outdoor spectacles.- The region’s biggest food event has plenty on the menu every April, with celebrity chefs and workshops, local producers and exciting street food.
- The historic regatta returns to the River Wear in Durham City every June, with a spectacular weekend of racing and riverbank entertainment.
- The seaside foodie festival returns to the bustling town of Seaham every August with delicious street food, cookery classes, live music, TV chefs and tasty local produce.
- The annual 'Big Meeting' takes place on the second Saturday of July every year. The annual gathering has been held on the second Saturday of July since 1871.
- Durham’s loudest festival takes place every July, with brilliant bands and outstanding musicians from across the globe descending on the county, for a ten-day celebration.
- The award-winning night-time spectacular outdoor show takes place in the grounds of Auckland Castle every summer, on select Saturdays from July to September.
- Three rare Magna Cartas will go on display at Durham Cathedral this summer to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the 1225 issue in the cathedral's collection.
- This July, Durham Fringe Festival returns for its fifth year, bigger and better than ever. There’s something for everyone including theatre, comedy, dance, live music, spoken word, circus, daytime family shows, and much more.
- 23 Jul 202527 Jul 2025
- Celebrate farming life every September at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.
- Founded in 1990, Durham Book Festival is one of the country’s oldest literary festivals and takes place every October, with in-person and online events.
- Unlock the wonders of the night sky with 'out of this world' activities and events at the annual North Pennines Stargazing Festival during October half term.
- The UK’s light art biennial returns to Durham City every other November (due to return 2025) with a new programme of spectacular light artworks.
- Soak up the atmosphere at Durham City’s annual festive festival on the first weekend of December, with fabulous Christmas shopping, carol services, and live music.
