Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Sunderland & Durham
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SWIMMING LESSONS WITH EVERYONE ACTIVE
1st January-31st December 2025
Venue: Sunderland
Address: SR1-SR6
Website: https://www.everyoneactive.com/courses-lessons/swimming-lessons/
Award-winning swimming lessons at your local Everyone Active leisure centre, for children aged from just 4 months old. Available at Hetton Community Pool and Wellness Centre, Houghton Sports Centre, Silksworth...
DURHAM CATHEDRAL NATURE TRAIL
31st January-31st December 2025
Venue: Durham Cathedral
Address: The College, DH1 3EH
Website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk
This nature trail has been developed with local school children to help you explore the woodlands & riverbanks around the cathedral. Look out for animals, birds, trees & flowers on your way round....
WWT WASHINGTON APP
11th March-31st December 2025
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Browse the NEW WWT Washington app – your digital pocket journey to enjoy before, during and after a visit. Download from Apple & Google Stores now & get 10% off admission.
DURHAM CATHEDRAL NATURE TRAIL
31st January-31st December 2025
Venue: Durham Cathedral
Address: The College, DH1 3EH
Website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk
This nature trail has been developed with local school children to help you explore the woodlands & riverbanks around the cathedral. Look out for animals, birds, trees & flowers on your way round. The...
SATURDAY ART CLUB
1st February-31st December 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/
This Saturday Art Club is suitable for children aged 8+ with an interest in art who would like to develop their skills further. Often taking inspiration from exhibitions & artists working within the arts...
WASHINGTON YOUTH THEATRE
1st February-31st December 2025
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/
Weekly sessions for 8-12 years olds to practice & develop their theatre skills, increase confidence, & make new friends! £6 per child. Book at sunderlandculture.org.uk/events/washington-youth-theatre.
ARBEIA ROMAN FORT
31st March-28th September 2025
Venue: Arbeia Roman Fort
Address: Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BB
Website: www.arbeiaromanfort.org.uk
Arbeia Roman Fort once guarded the entrance to the River Tyne & was a key garrison & military supply base to other forts along Hadrians Wall. Step into the fort & immerse yourself in the world of the Romans...
SHAKESPEARE RECOVERED
4th April-2nd November 2025
Time: 11am-4pm
Venue: Durham University Palace Green Library
Address: DH1 3RN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk/palace.green
In December 1998, the Durham First Folio, a copy of William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies, was stolen along with six other items while on display in Cosin’s Library. In 2008, a badly...
LLOYD OF THE FLIES WETLAND BUG HUNT
5th April-1st June 2025
Time: 10am-5.30pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre,
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Dive into the wonderful world of wetland insects with Lloyd & his new friend Dart the dragonfly. Follow the trail to help them find Lloyd's friends & family & make their way to the bug hotel. Use the Lloyd...
CAMEL CARAVAN
24th-24th May 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Be inspired by the new community exhibition & make your own cute camel art. Free event.1-3pm.
DURHAM PRIDE
24th-25th May 2025
Venue: Durham City Centre,
Address: DH1 3NJ
Website: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/durham-pride-2025-tickets-1214518600829
Get ready to celebrate love & diversity at Durham Pride 2025 - a weekend filled with music, fun, & acceptance for all! Full details online.
USHAW CLASSIC CAR & BIKE SHOW
24th-24th May 2025
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Ushaw Historic House
Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH
Website: www.ushaw.org
A spectacular day celebrating motoring history with an incredible collection of vintage, classic, & custom cars and motorcycles from across the decades. Live DJ, delicious street food & drink. Free event...
GLASS PAINTING
26th-26th May 2025
Time: 10-10.45am & 12-12.45pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Paint your designs on glass tiles to take home. Ages 4+. £5pp. Book online.
CLAY TILES
27th-27th May 2025
Time: 10-11am & 2-3pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Create your own clay tile using pattern & texture. Ages 4+. £5pp. Book online.
BLOOM ROOM
28th-28th May 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Visit the Bloom Room & decorate the amazing giant flowers - perfect for budding artists. Free event.1-3pm.
DEER PARK SAFARI
28th-28th May 2025
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Raby Castle,
Address: Staindrop, DL2 3LH
Website: www.raby.co.uk/events
Enjoy a scenic tour of the Deer Park, guided by a knowledgeable ranger who will share fascinating insights about the deer & the park’s history. Observe herds of red & fallow deer, learn about their behaviours,...
GLASS FUSING
28th-28th May 2025
Time: 10-11am
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Use glass fusing techniques to create create your own glass fused tile using pattern and texture.Ages 6+. £12pp.Book online.
MOVING, GROOVING LANDSCAPES
28th-28th May 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
Bring Sheila Fell’s glorious landscapes, animals & people to life in this drawing & animation workshop with animator Sheryl Jenkins. £4 per child, accompanying adults free. Book online.
TOM GATES' EPIC STAGE SHOW
28th-28th May 2025
Time: 1 & 3.30pm
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.
Based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon, this brand new Stage Show comes to Gala Durham bringing alive the illustrations & music that makes Tom Gates hugely popular around the world! Tickets from£15.50,...
T-SHIRT PRINTING
29th-29th May 2025
Time: 10am
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Design your own T-shirt using potato & vegetable printing. Ages 4+. £10pp. Book online.
CRYPT CURSES
30th-30th May 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Discover some spooky curses from around the world & make a lucky charm. Free event.1-3pm.
GLASS PAINTING
30th-30th May 2025
Time: 10-10.45am & 12-12.45pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Paint your designs on glass tiles to take home. Ages 4+. £5pp. Book online.
MAY CROWNS
30th-30th May 2025
Time: 11am & 1.30pm
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
Join a sensory scavenger hunt in Mowbray Park to explore & collect natural materials to decorate a May crown. Free. Drop in activity, no pre-booking required.
FLOWERS & FRIENDSHIPS BRACELETS
31st-31st May 2025
Time: 6pm
Venue: Empire Theatre Consett
Address: DH8 5AB
Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/
The Ultimate Pop Concert to celebrate the biggest hits from the hottest artistes of the moment including tributes to Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo & Sabrina Carpenter. Tickets £22.50.
RAILWAY 200 FAMILY DAY
31st-31st May 2025
Time: 11am-1pm
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
Railway200 celebrates the 200th anniversary of the modern railway in 2025 – a once-in-a-generation opportunity to explore rails’ crucial role in national life. Drop in to explore objects & archives...
SKETCH UP!
31st-31st May 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Try some easy drawing & tracing techniques & draw like a pro! Free event.1-3pm.
TUESDAY MUSEUM CLUB
3rd-3rd June 2025
Time: 10-11.30am
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
The Tuesday Museum Club is Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens a monthly session for home educated families with children aged 5 – 11 years old. It takes place on the first Tuesday of each month & is...
SUNDERLAND FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
6th-8th June 2025
Time: 10am-9pm
Venue: Sunderland
Address: SR1
Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk/article/30579/Food-Drink-Festival-2025
The Sunderland Food & Drink Festival is back! From local food & produce to a continental street market, plus a jam-packed music & entertainment line-up for a fun-filled weekend! More details online
BEAT BUILDERS
7th-7th June 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Spot a giant drum & make one of your very own! Free event.1-3pm.
AMULET MAKING WORKSHOP
14th-14th June 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Learn about amulets & talismans & make your own pendant. Free event.1-3pm.
DURHAM REGATTA 2025
14th-15th June 2025
Venue: City Boathouse,
Address: Green Lane, DH1 3JU
Website: www.durham-regatta.org.uk
The 192nd Durham Regatta. A spectacular weekend of racing & bank-side entertainment. The Durham Regatta not only offers a spectacular weekend of thrilling racing, but also a variety of attractions for...
HAMILTON
17th June-26th July 2025
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
This is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War & helped shape the very foundations...
CONSETT CYCLE FESTIVAL
22nd-22nd June 2025
Venue: Consett Town Centre,
Address: DH8 5AB
This is a free family event with live entertainment, music, stalls, stunt shows & of course the cycle race! The highlight of the day will be the men's & women's Tour de Reservoir race starting & finishing...
BIG BANG - A SUMMER SPACE DAY
28th-28th June 2025
Venue: Ushaw Historic House
Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH
Website: www.ushaw.org
Prepare for lift-off! Ushaw is blasting into orbit for a one-day cosmic celebration of science, space & summer fun like no other. Whether you’re a mini astronaut, seasoned stargazer, or just curious...
SUNDERLAND ARMED FORCES WEEKEND
28th-29th June 2025
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Seaburn & Roker,
Address: SR6
Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk/article/31649/Sunderland-Armed-Forces-Weekend
Head down to Seaburn Recreation Ground for a weekend celebrating the Armed Forces, Veterans, Cadets & their Families. There will be a vast array of Military Vehicles spanning over 100years from the UK...
DURHAM COUNTY SHOW
5th-6th July 2025
Time: 9am-5pm
Venue: Durham County Show
Address: Showfield Thornley, DH6 3LY
Website: www.durhamcountyshow.com
The annual Durham County Show with so much to see & do over the show weekend. Be sure to keep checking the website for updates on all the events. Adults £10, Child £5, Family £25.00.
DURHAM MINERS GALA 2025
12th-12th July 2025
Time: From 8.30am
Venue: Durham Market Place,
Address: DH1
Website: www.durhamminers.org/gala
The Durham Miners' Gala is the world's greatest celebration of community, international solidarity, & working class culture. It is a unique & inspiring spectacle. Beautiful banners celebrating the region’s...
ACTIVE SUNDERLAND BIG BIKE RIDE
13th-13th July 2025
Time: 9am-4pm
Venue: Beacon of Light,
Address: SR5 1SN
Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk/bigbikeride
Take the family on a 5 mile traffic free led ride, attempt a 12-mile adventure, stretch your legs on the 20-miler or challenge yourself to the 38-mile route (approx route distances).. Cycle through a mixture...