What's On in Sunderland & Durham

SATURDAY ART CLUB

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

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...

THE GREAT DINOSAUR ESCAPE

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...

KYNREN – THE STORIED LANDS

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...

TERRIBLE TEETH

Time: 1-3pm

Venue: Oriental Museum

Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH

Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum

Find out why many Ancient Egyptians had terrible teeth & make a set of chompers from plasticine. Free event. 1-3pm.

WOLSINGHAM SHOW 2026

Venue: Wolsingham Showground,

Address: DL13 3JG

Website: www.wolsinghamshow.co.uk

Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest & Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.

DURHAM ORCHID SHOW

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,

Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN

Website: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden

The North East of England Orchid Society, Durham University & the Botanic Garden present the Durham Orchid Show & Craft Fair at Josephine Butler College. Normal admission charges apply.

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

Venue: Venues across Sunderland & County Durham

Website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk

England’s largest festival of history & culture! Every September thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history & culture. It's your chance to see hidden places...

CELEBRATING ROSH HASHANAH

Time: 1-3pm

Venue: Oriental Museum

Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH

Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum

Find out about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year festival, & make a shofar musical instrument. Free event. 1-3pm.

SKULLS, SCIENCE & INVESTIGATION

Venue: Museum of Archaeology

Address: Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RN

Website: www.durham.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/museum-of-archaeology/

Are you fascinated by the natural world past & present? Investigate the archaeology & science of animal bones with experts from the Skull Index CIC at this FREE family-friendly workshop from 11am-3pm....

CITY OF DURHAM SHOW

Venue: Durham Town Hall & Market Place,

Address: DH1 3NJ

Website: www.durhamshow.org.uk

This year sees the return of the City of Durham Show, a much-loved event that is being revived by a group of local residents after a 25 year absence, for local gardeners, crafters, bakers & dog owners...

COOL CAT, BAD CAT

Time: 1-3pm

Venue: Oriental Museum

Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH

Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum

Learn about the Ancient Egyptian gods Sekhmet & Bastet and make a colourful lion spinner. Free event. 1-3pm.

DURHAM BRICK SHOW

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

Feast your eyes on a fantastic array of intricate LEGO®️ creations at Durham Brick Show. In collaboration with Brick Alley LEGO®️User Group, discover a wide range of displays & trade stands to entertain...

DURHAM FOLK FESTIVAL

Venue: Durham Market Place

Address: DH1

Website: www.durhamfolkfest.netlify.app

This year's festival takes two forms: on Saturday street performers will be out & about round Durham, creating pop-up moments of joy. On Sunday, make way for the Grand Cavalcade! Master entertainers set...

CHESTER-LE-EATS

Time: 11am-4pm

Venue: Banks Home Riverside

Address: Chester-le-Street, DH3 3QR

Website: www.durhamcricket.co.uk/events/chester-le-eats/

Chester-le-EATS celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. Enjoy delicious food, drink & fantastic live music at Chester-le-EATS! A vibrant festival for all ages! This free, family-friendly & dog-friendly...

FALLING INTO AUTUMN

Time: 1-3pm

Venue: Oriental Museum

Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH

Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum

Spot the first signs of autumn & make some autumn leaf art. Free event. 1-3pm.

ACTIVE SUNDERLAND BIG WALK

Time: 9am-4pm

Venue: Herrington Country Park, 

Address: Houghton le Spring, DH4 7EL 

Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk/events

Go along to Herrington Country Park for the ever-popular Active Sunderland BIG Walk. Choose from 3, 6, 9, or 13.5 miles of adventure! The 3-mile route is pram and wheelchair friendly, while the longer...

HOUGHTON FEAST

Venue: Newbottle Street

Address: Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 4AE

Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk/events

Ten days of heritage, fun & festivities. From the excitement of the fairground & the spectacle of the carnival parade to community events, exhibitions, talks, tours & a stunning fireworks display, there's...

LUXMURALIS

Venue: Durham Cathedral

Address: The College, DH1 3EH

Website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk

Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral with an immersive light & sound show titled 'Time'. The historic interior & architecture of the cathedral will be transformed after dark by artistic projections &...

DURHAM BOOK FESTIVAL 2026

Venue: Durham City

Address: DH1

Website: www.newwritingnorth.com/durham-book-festival/

The festival takes place in & around the city of Durham each October. Take part in creative writing workshops, join a children’s story time, explore the mysteries of the cosmos, uncover history’s hidden...

SUPER NATURAL OCTOBER HALF TERM

Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre

Address: NE38 8LE

Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington

Enjoy a fun-filled Halloween, bubbling over with magical activities for the whole family this October half-term at WWT Washington. Escape the ghouls & goblins, & step into a super natural adventure through...

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

From the peaceful pleasures of Ratty’s beloved river bank to the fearful frights & wicked weasels of the Wild Wood, join Mole & Ratty on their marvellous adventures, along with gruff old Badger & magnificent...

SCIENCE MUSEUM LIVE - THE SPACE EXPLORERS ACADEMY

Time: 12pm & 3pm

Venue: Sunderland Fire Station

Address: High Street West, SR1 3HA

Website: www. sunderlandculture.org.uk

A fun-filled theatrical adventure created especially for 6-12-year-olds (& the grown-ups who love space just as much!) that blasts you on an epic journey around the planets. Zoom past the Sun, dodge swirling...

THE NICK COPE FAMILY SHOW 2026

Time: 11.30am

Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,

Address: DH1 1WA

Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.

Join Nick Cope for a brand new, delightful family concert, featuring all your favourite Nick Cope hits & more. With his charming songs & humour Nick engages, entertains, & enthrals all generations. Nick’s...

THERE'S A MONSTER IN YOUR SHOW

Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,

Address: DH1 1WA

Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.

A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien...

BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL

Venue: Sunderland Empire

Address: SR1 3EX

Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.

Set in a northern town during the miners’ strike of 1984/5, the show follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class, where he discovers a passion for dance that will change his life...

AZRA GLOW

Time: 11am & 2pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

Azra Glow is an illuminated circus & dance adventure inspired the books of Risaria Langley. The story follows Azra as she discovers a dragon’s egg & begins a journey to awaken it through light, movement,...

FESTIVAL OF FIREWORKS 2026

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Banks Home Riverside

Address: Chester-le-Street, DH3 3QR

Website: www.tickets.durhamcricket.co.uk/content

A night full of sparkle & fun at the Festival of Fireworks brought to you by Durham Cricket & Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, with support from Everyone Active - it’s more than just fireworks! Enjoy...

RED ROBIN'S WINTER SONG

Time: 2pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

Step into a twinkling, snow-dusted world with Red Robin’s Winter Song – a gentle & joy-filled winter play perfect for young children & their families. A small but brave Red Robin chooses to stay...

RAPUNZEL

Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,

Address: DH1 1WA

Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.

In the dark, tangled forest of Hamsterley stands a mysterious tower, locals swear they can hear beautiful singing drifting through the trees, a voice so pure it stops even the bravest woodcutter in their...

BEAUTY & THE BEAST

Venue: Empire Theatre Consett

Address: DH8 5AB

Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/

Leah Bell & company return with a tale as old as pantomime – Beauty & the Beast. When the selfish Prince Rafael is transformed into a hideous Beast, only his most loyal staff stand by him. The prince...

THE ELVES & THE SHOEMAKER

Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,

Address: DH1 1WA

Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.

Step into The Gala's sole-ful festive production that’s the perfect fit for families! Suzie Shoes runs a shoe shop, but she has a problem…she’s just not very good at making shoes. In need of help...

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN: THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN HOOK

Venue: Sunderland Empire

Address: SR1 3EX

Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.

Life has been smooth sailing for Peter Pan since he defeated Captain Hook... or so he thought. Whispers are spreading that the notorious Hook survived those stormy seas & is out for revenge. Could it be...

THE LITTLEST ELF

Time: 10.30am & 1pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

Pip is a tiny elf with big dreams. Slower than the other elves & never quite perfect, she dreams of seeing a toy she has made delivered on Christmas Day. Set in Santa’s workshop, this magical show combines...

THE JINGLE GENERATOR JAM SHOW

Time: 11am & 2pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

It’s a Christmas emergency at the North Pole! Somehow, the Jingle Generator has jammed, & Christmas spirit is fading fast! Santa’s right-hand elves, mischievous Tinsel Tally & stoney Agent Frostbite are...

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/

It’s Christmas Eve, & the miserly misanthrope, Ebenezer Scrooge, is about to have a ghostly night he’ll never forget. An evening of mistletoe & merriment in the company of Marley, Fezziwig, & Cratchit...

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Venue: Empire Theatre Consett

Address: DH8 5AB

Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/

Enjoy breakfast with Father Christmas where young ones can receive a present & enjoy a light breakfast of toast & pastries with juice or water. Accompanying adults will also be provided with light breakfast...