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
To search the listings, enter a keyword, location and/or date in the boxes below.
When entering a location, select the best location match from the list that appears, then click Go.
Click here to clear your search.
SATURDAY ART CLUB
7th February-31st December 2026
Time: Sat 1-3pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/events/saturday-art-club
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
7th February-31st December 2026
Time: Sat 10am - 12pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/washington-youth-theatre-ages-8-12/
Build life-long skills in performance & confidence while making new friends! Join these weekly sessions for 8- to 12-year-olds. Develop theatre skills like presentation, improvisation & cooperation, while...
GOZZLE
20th March-31st May 2026
Time: 10am-5.30pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Discover a season of firsts this spring, on a fun-filled wetland adventure with Gozzle the gosling. Explore the wonderful world of wetlands with Gozzle the gosling, from Julia Donaldson & Sara Ogilvie’s...
THE GREAT DINOSAUR ESCAPE
28th March-27th September 2026
Venue: Life Science Centre, Times Square,
Address: NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Dinosaurs have taken over Life Science Centre this Easter with the North’s biggest collection of animatronic dinosaurs. Follow the trail around the centre to hunt them down, from towering four-metre-high...
BRILLIANT BIRDS TRAIL
2nd May-4th July 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
Discover the birds of the Sunderland coast with this fun, family-friendly trail at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens. Follow the clues, explore the galleries & learn about Sunderland’s brilliant birds...
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN SUPER SOBEK
16th-16th May 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
See a huge plaster cast of an Ancient Egyptian temple wall & make your own crocodile-headed god puppet. Free event. 1-3pm.
ACTIVE SUNDERLAND BIG 3K RUN
17th-17th May 2026
Time: 9am
Venue: Keel Square,
Address: SR1 3LH
Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk/big3krun
This well-established event is suitable for families, beginner runners, junior club runners, & anyone wanting to give running 3k on closed roads through the city centre a go! The minimum age is 5 years...
ADVENTURES IN SCIENCE
23rd-23rd May 2026
Time: 2pm
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.
Join The Magical Mr West on an incredible adventure into the world of science! Aided by his corvid companion Crowbert & a collection of curious contraptions, Mr West demonstrates the fundamental principles...
COOL CORAL
23rd-23rd May 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Check out an amazing Korean sculpture & then make a seascape collage to take home. Free event. 1-3pm.
MAY HALF TERM
23rd-31st May 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Ushaw Historic House
Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH
Website: www.ushaw.org
Get ready for fresh air, family fun, and adventure this May Half Term at Ushaw! There's indoor trails, outdoor trails, a Toy takeover, story telling & crafts plus bookmark printing. Full details online.
BUDDHA'S BIRTHDAY
24th-24th May 2026
Time: 12-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Celebrate the most important day in the Buddhist calendar & join in the lots of activities. Free event. 12-3pm.
BOTANIC GARDEN FUN DAY 2026
25th-25th May 2026
Time: 11am-4pm
Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,
Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden
Pop along to enjoy the Botanic Garden annual Fun Day this Bank Holiday Monday 25 May. There will be a host of FREE, family-friendly activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy, from face-painting to flower...
MUSEUM DETECTIVES
27th-27th May 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Be a detective & hunt down some objects that might not be exactly what they seem & make one of your own. Free event. 1-3pm.
GOZZLE VET CHECK
28th-28th May 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a vet? To work with amazing animals and help them when they get sick or injured? Discover in this fun-filled play clinic, where children can learn how to handle, measure,...
KOREAN PAPER FLOWER MAKING WORKSHOP
28th-28th May 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Join in a family-friendly Korean paper flower making workshop. Free event. 1-3pm.
MAKE A COAT OF ARMS
28th-28th May 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Museum of Archaeology
Address: Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk
The Museum of Archaeology invites you to create your own coat of arms to display in the new gallery space. Draw & paint symbols that represent you onto a shield & submit your art for display in the new...
ORIGAMI & CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP
28th-28th May 2026
Time: 10am-12pm
Venue: Crook Hall & Gardens,
Address: Frankland Lane, DH1 5SZ
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/crook-hall-gardens
Have a go at origami & calligraphy in a drop-in workshop for all ages with students from Durham's Teikyo University who will be wearing traditional Japanese dress to set the scene. This activity is free....
SUPER SCULPTURES
29th-29th May 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
The Oriental Museum is full of sculptures. Find your favourite then make a colourful skewer sculpture to take home. Free event. 1-3pm.
DURHAM PRIDE 2026
30th-30th May 2026
Venue: Durham City Centre,
Address: DH1 3NJ
Website: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-date-durham-pride-2026-tickets-1647766186019
Get ready to celebrate love & diversity at Durham Pride 2026 - a weekend filled with music, fun, & acceptance for all! Full details online.
TEA TIME
30th-30th May 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Find out about tea in China & decorate a paper tea bowl. Free event. 1-3pm.
TRUCKFEST NORTH EAST 2026
30th-31st May 2026
Time: 9am-4pm
Venue: Wolsingham Showground,
Address: DL13 2QW
Website: www.truckfest.co.uk/truckfest-north-east/
Visit Truckfest North East & be amazed by monster trucks & arena stunt shows.Take part in exhilarating rides & see some incredible, award-winning trucks. Meet special guests, listen to live music, enjoy...
TUESDAY MUSEUM CLUB
2nd-2nd June 2026
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
The Tuesday Museum Club is Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens monthly 90 minute session for home educated families with children aged 5 – 11 years old. It takes place on the first Tuesday of each month...
RIDE THE WAVE
6th-6th June 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Spot the boats in the museum & make a 3D sea sculpture. Free event. 1-3pm.
SACRISTON PARTY IN THE PARK
6th-6th June 2026
Time: 11am-3pm
Venue: The Fulforth Centre, Sacriston,
Address: DH7 6JT
Free community fun day including fairground rides, inflatables, climbing wall, face-painting & much more! Cafe inside to buy food & drink. Fun for all the family!
DISCOVER FESTIVAL
13th-13th June 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Newcastle University City Centre Campus,
Address: NE1
Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/discover-fest
Fun for all the family, Discover Festival on Newcastle University’s City Centre campus is preparing to inspire everyone – young & old minds alike – to try out new things, experiment with experts,...
DURHAM REGATTA 2026
13th-14th June 2026
Venue: City Boathouse
Address: Green Lane, DH1 3JU
Website: www.durham-regatta.org.uk
The 193rd 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...
MAGIC CARPETS
13th-13th June 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Make a mini paper carpet inspired by colours & patterns in the Silk Roads Gallery. Free event. 1-3pm.
THE HOPPINGS FUNFAIR 2026
19th-28th June 2026
Time: 1-11pm
Venue: Newcastle Town Moor,
Address: NE2 4PZ
Website: www.hoppingsfunfairs.com
Europe's Largest Funfair is back for 2026 daily from 1pm! The Hoppings hosts over 400 of the country's biggest & brightest atttractions from traditional favourites to the latest jaw dropping thrill rides...
POWERFUL PATTERNS
20th-20th June 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Try crafting your own paper patterns inspired by the Ainu people of Japan. Free event. 1-3pm.
ALL DRESSED UP
27th-27th June 2026
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Visit the newest exhibition at the museum - Everyday Elegance; Daily Lives of Women in Late Qing China, featuring beautiful Chinese clothing & make your own fancy collar, inspired by Chinese patterns &...
DURHAM COUNTY SHOW 2026
4th-5th July 2026
Time: 9am-5pm
Venue: Durham County Show Showfield
Address: 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 2026
11th-11th July 2026
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...
SOUTH TYNESIDE SUMMER PARADE 2026
11th-11th July 2026
Time: 1-5pm
Venue: South Shields Town Hall,
Address: NE33 2RL
Website: www.southtynesidefestival.co.uk
An afternoon not be missed, & one of the highlights of the region's event calendar -the biggest carnival of its kind in the North East. The parade makes its way from South Shields Town Hall in the Town...
ACTIVE SUNDERLAND BIG BIKE RIDE
12th-12th July 2026
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...
BEYOND VAN GOGH
12th July-9th August 2026
Venue: Utilita Arena,
Address: NE4 7NA
Website: www.utilitaarena.co.uk
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience comes to Utilita Arena Newcastle transforming the arena floor into a 10,000 sq ft world of colour, light & sound. This spectacular event will bring more than 300...
KYNREN – THE STORIED LANDS
18th July-12th September 2026
Venue: 11Arches Flatts Farm, Bishop Auckland,
Address: DL14 7SF
Website: www.kynren.com
Step into a world where history, myth & legend come to life at Kynren – The Storied Lands – the UK’s first live-action show park opening this summer in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. Across one...