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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EXPLORING ANCIENT JAPAN
1st-1st August 2028
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/oriental-museum/
Learn about prehistoric Japan & make a clay dogu figure. Free event.1-3pm.
FOREST OF LIGHT
22nd November-4th January 2026
Time: 4-8pm
Venue: Beamish Hall Hotel
Address: Coppy Ln, DH9 0YB
Website: www.beamish-hall.co.uk/forest-of-light
The Forest of Light is a captivating illuminated experience set within an enchanted ancient woodland. A world filled with illuminations, music, interactive props & projections to dazzle & amaze. A unique...
WOODLAND FAIRY TRAIL
22nd November-18th January 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Gibside NT
Address: NE16 6BG
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
Discover the secrets of the woodland fairies at Gibside. Speak softly & keep your eyes wide, as magic stirs deep in the woodlands. Where the frost clings to fern & holly, whispers of fairy life can be...
SATURNALIA TRAIL
1st December-4th January 2026
Time: From 11am
Venue: Museum of Archaeology,
Address: Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RN
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/museum-of-archaeology/
Explore the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia. Discover how Romans celebrated this festive period with feasts, gift-giving & social role reversals in honour of Saturn, the god of agriculture in this...
WILD WELLY WALKS
1st December-2nd February 2026
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Pick up a free Wild Welly Walks activity guide & spot, draw & splash your way through winter. Many fun activity ideas & challenges to complete including spotting & IDing wild birds, counting, making a...
SLEEPING BEAUTY
12th December-4th January 2026
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
A wonderfully wicked panto starring BBC’s Call the Midwife star Laura Main as the spellbinding Fairy Snowfall & Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter, David Ribi, as the dashing Prince Vincent with...
TOM GATES EPIC STAGE SHOW
24th-24th February 2026
Time: 12.30pm & 3.30pm
Venue: Sunderland Fire Station
Address: High Street West, SR1 3HA
Website: www. sunderlandculture.org.uk
Based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon, & brand new for 2026, Tom Gates EPIC Stage Show comes to our theatre bringing alive the illustrations and music that makes Tom Gates hugely popular around...
ZOG
24th-26th February 2026
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk
Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s classic, feel-good story is brought to roaring, soaring life in this delightful musical for children. Zog is the keenest dragon in Madam Dragon’s school. He’s also...
BLUEY'S BIG PLAY
25th-29th March 2026
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
Bluey, Bingo, Bandit & Chilli are heading to Sunderland! Featuring brilliantly created puppets, this theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series is packed with music,...
HORRIBLE HISTORIES
17th-18th April 2026
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
For the very first time, your favourite songs & actors from the award-winning Horrible Histories TV series will be appearing live on stage in Sunderland! When William Shakespeare is asked to create the...