What's On in Sunderland & Durham

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Indoor Activities

SWIMMING LESSONS WITH EVERYONE ACTIVE

1st January-31st December 2024

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...

Outdoor Events

DURHAM CATHEDRAL NATURE TRAIL

31st January-31st December 2024

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...

Arts & Crafts

SIGNS OF SPRING

1st February-31st March 2024

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,

Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN

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

Pick up a spotter sheet from the Visitor Centre and see what you can discover in the garden (subject to availability of leaflets). This is a self-led activity around the Garden.

Indoor Activities

WILDLIFE SPOTTERS

10th February-1st June 2024

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Address: SR1 1PP

Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk

Families can collect a free wildlife spotters activity sheet filled with puzzles & challenges to help them explore the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Indoor Activities

AURORA THE POLAR BEAR'S ADVENTURE

24th February-7th May 2024

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Address: SR1 1PP

Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk

Meet Aurora & her polar bear friends as you explore the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition & the Museum’s own wildlife collections! Learn fascinating facts about polar bears & other endangered...

Outdoor Events

WWT WASHINGTON APP

11th March-31st December 2024

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.

Outdoor Events

BING'S NATURE EXPLORERS

23rd March-2nd June 2024

Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre

Address: NE38 8LE

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

Learn all about wetland nature & wildlife with a little help from Bing & his friends. Join Bing & Flop to become a Nature Explorer with activity trails, storytelling, character appearances & much more....

Indoor Activities

HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES

24th-31st March 2024

Venue: Durham Cathedral

Address: The College, DH1 3EH

Website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk

Everyone is welcome to join a service during the holiest week of the Christian Year including Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday & the Easter Eucharist. More information at www.durhamcathedral.co.uk

Easter

EGGSPLORE THE FUN

25th March-5th April 2024

Venue: The Bridges Shopping Centre,

Address: SR1 3DR

Website: www.thebridges-shopping.com

There’s plenty to get your little ones egg-cited about this Easter at The Bridges with an Easter Egg Hunt plus Easter Crafts & Activities! Visit the website for the more information.

Outdoor Events

EASTER CELEBRATIONS

29th March-1st April 2024

Venue: Beamish Museum

Address: Beamish, DH9 0RG

Website: www.beamish.org.uk

Hop along to Beamish for a cracking day out, with plenty of Easter-themed events to take part in around the museum. Visit their website for more information about their egg-citing Easter activities,

Outdoor Events

EASTER CRAFTS

29th-29th March 2024

Time: 11am-3pm

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

Join in Easter themed craft sessions where you will have the chance to make a chick or rabbit pom pom. No pre-booking required, included with Annual Membership and Day Pass.  

Outdoor Events

EASTER EGG HUNT

29th-30th March 2024

Time: 11am-3.30pm

Venue: Washington Old Hall NT

Address: NE38 7LE.

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall

Make your way along the trail & find spring-inspired activities for the whole family whilst exploring the gardens. The price of the trail is £3 per child (in addition to normal admission charges) & includes...

Outdoor Events

ENDANGERED ANIMALS OUTDOOR TRAIL

29th March-14th April 2024

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

Wander round our gardens & use your trail map to find endangered animals dotted across the seven global continents. No pre-booking required, included with Ushaw Annual Pass and Daily Admission. 

Outdoor Events

KILLHOPE MUSEUM OPENS

29th March-29th October 2024

Time: 10am-4.30pm

Venue: Killhope - The North of England Lead Mining Museum

Address: DL13 1AR

Website: www.killhope.org.uk.

A visit to Killhope is a unique & unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. Why not go on an underground mine trip, visit the fascinating exhibition & new addition the Weardale Tub, look for lead...

Outdoor Events

SPOT & SEARCH INDOOR TRAIL

29th March-14th April 2024

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

Globetrotters unite! Explore our Maps exhibition, take a journey through time by completing your globetrotting passport. No pre-booking required, included with Ushaw Annual Pass and Daily Admission. 

Indoor Activities

BABY DINO EGG HUNT

30th March-13th April 2024

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Address: SR1 1PP

Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk

Can you find all the baby dinosaurs that have hatched from their eggs? There are 8 to find, hidden around the Museum galleries & Winter Gardens. Find them all & claim a themed prize. £2.50 per trail with...

Indoor Activities

PAPER PLAYGROUND

30th-30th March 2024

Time: 1-3pm

Venue: Oriental Museum

Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH

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

Paper was invented in China. Find out how paper changed our world & make your own paper playground!

Arts & Crafts

ANNUAL EASTER CHICK HUNT

31st March-1st April 2024

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,

Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN

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

Easter Chicks are hiding in the Garden. Pick up your spotter sheet & see how many you can find in this fun family event. A self-led activity.

Outdoor Events

EASTER EGG HUNT

31st March-1st April 2024

Time: 11am-3.30pm

Venue: Crook Hall & Gardens,

Address: Frankland Lane, DH1 5SZ

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/crook-hall-gardens

Make your way along the trail & find nature-inspired activities for the whole family in the beautiful gardens & meadows of Crook Hall Gardens. The price of the trail is £3 per child (in addition to normal...

Outdoor Events

RUN NATION EASTER RACES

1st-1st April 2024

Time: 10am-11.30am

Venue: Dalton Park

Address: Seaham, SR7 9HU

Website: www.dalton-park.co.uk

Are you ready to take on Run Nation’s Easter races at Dalton Park? Sprint into the spring air with distances to challenge runners of all abilities & experience. From 10k to 5k and a special 2k for juniors...

Arts & Crafts

COLLAGE PORTRAITS

2nd-2nd April 2024

Time: 10am, 11.30am. 1.30pm & 3pm

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Use your imagination & a range of craft materials to create a colourful & textured collage of yourself or someone else. Go to town with your ideas – combine things in unusual ways, use clashing colours...

Indoor Activities

CREATURE COLLECTIONS

2nd-2nd April 2024

Time: 1-2.30pm

Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Address: SR1 1PP

Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk

Drop-in from 1pm – 2.30pm & explore brilliant birds & other taxidermy creatures from the Museum collections & find out how they are cared for by the Museum team. Free.

Arts & Crafts

EASTER SANDCASTING: FISH,EASTER EGG, CAT OR BIRD

2nd-2nd April 2024

Time: 9.30am & 10.30am

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Create a glass fish, Easter Egg, cat or bird using sand to make a mould. Add your own colour & decoration to make your design unique. Watch as your design is transformed by our studio team who will pour...

Indoor Activities

DINOSAUR FOSSILS

3rd-3rd April 2024

Time: 1.30pm & 2.30pm

Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Address: SR1 1PP

Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk

Create clay fossils of dinosaurs & ancient creatures in this fun & messy sessions at 1,30pm & 2.30pm. Free child places but pre-booking essential online or at the Museum shop.

Arts & Crafts

DOG PRINTS

3rd-3rd April 2024

Time: 11.30am. 1.30pm & 3pm

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Learn how to make a mono-print of a dog using professional printing equipment. Start by drawing a dog themed design & learn how to turn it into a print. You will have the chance to make a couple of different...

Outdoor Events

WOODLAND WEDNESDAY

3rd-3rd April 2024

Time: 10.30am-12pm

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

Join in for lots of Forest fun in the beautiful grounds of Ushaw! Pre-booking online required.

Theatre & Cinema

AWFUL AUNTIE

4th-7th April 2024

Venue: Sunderland Empire

Address: SR1 3EX

Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.

Following their acclaimed productions of Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy and Demon Dentist, Birmingham Stage Company are proud to present a fabulous new production of David Walliams’ amazing adventure...

Outdoor Events

FLORAL FUN

4th-5th April 2024

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

Be inspired by the beautiful flora &d fauna of Ushaw to create your own spring time crafts. Pre-booking online required.

Outdoor Events

PIRATE ADVENTURES

4th-5th April 2024

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

A swashbuckling pirate adventure where you will take part in pirate themed crafts & stories & then set sail on a hunt around the beautiful gardens in the search for treasure. Pre-booking online required.

Indoor Activities

THE NOT SO BAD BIG WOLF

4th-4th April 2024

Time: 10.30am & 1.30pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

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

Meet Little Red; adventurer, heroine & world-renowned “True Grimm” podcaster. She’s on a mission to debunk the myths around her so called nemesis, with the help of a few storybook favourites, her...

Theatre & Cinema

TORTOISE & THE HARE

4th-4th April 2024

Time: 2pm, 4pm & 6pm

Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,

Address: DH1 1WA

Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.

The race is on in Northern Ballet’s Tortoise & the Hare - the perfect introduction to live ballet & music,. When a cheeky Hare won’t stop boasting about how fast he can run, thoughtful Tortoise decides...

Indoor Activities

DISCOVERY ZOO

5th-5th April 2024

Time: 11am, 1pm & 2.30pm

Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Address: SR1 1PP

Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk

Meet the creatures from Discovery Zoo including a Carolina corn snake, Giant African millipede, Harlequin gecko and Costa Rican zebra tarantula and find out about their behaviour and habitats around the...

Arts & Crafts

EASTER SANDCASTING: FISH,EASTER EGG, CAT OR BIRD

5th-5th April 2024

Time: 9.30am & 10.30am

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Create a glass fish, Easter Egg, cat or bird using sand to make a mould. Add your own colour & decoration to make your design unique. Watch as your design is transformed by our studio team who will pour...

Arts & Crafts

PATTERNED GLASS PAINTING

5th-5th April 2024

Time: 10am-12pm & 1-3.30pm

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Drop-in & be inspired by the world around you and create colourful patterns on a glass tiles using a range of brightly coloured pens. Will your pattern be geometric, abstract, traditional? Ages 4+. £5pp.

Arts & Crafts

BEAUTIFUL BIRDS - GLASS FUSING

6th-6th April 2024

Time: 10am, 11.30am. 1.30pm & 3pm

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Get creative in this glassmaking session! Design a bird – will it be realistic or fantastical? Use a range of high-quality glass fusing supplies to create a solid glass bird. You will be shown how to...

Theatre & Cinema

NICK COPE'S FAMILY SHOW

6th-6th April 2024

Time: 11am & 2pm

Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,

Address: DH1 1WA

Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.

Nick Cope has been writing and recording his beautiful and totally unique songs for children and their families for over 10 years, he performs with his guitar and animations to sell-out crowds all over...

Arts & Crafts

CERAMIC BIRD FEEDER

8th-8th April 2024

Time: 11am

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Paint your own spring inspired ceramic bird feeder and welcome wildlife into your garden. Put your stamp on this nature craft, using specialist paint, and add intricate patterns or simply your favourite...

Outdoor Events

FLORAL FUN

8th-10th April 2024

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

Be inspired by the beautiful flora &d fauna of Ushaw to create your own spring time crafts. Pre-booking online required.

Outdoor Events

PIRATE ADVENTURES

8th-10th April 2024

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

A swashbuckling pirate adventure where you will take part in pirate themed crafts & stories & then set sail on a hunt around the beautiful gardens in the search for treasure. Pre-booking online required.

Arts & Crafts

COLLAGE PORTRAITS

9th-9th April 2024

Time: 10am, 11.30am. 1.30pm & 3pm

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Use your imagination & a range of craft materials to create a colourful & textured collage of yourself or someone else. Go to town with your ideas – combine things in unusual ways, use clashing colours...

Indoor Activities

CREATURE COLLECTIONS

9th-9th April 2024

Time: 1-2.30pm

Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Address: SR1 1PP

Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk

Drop-in from 1pm – 2.30pm & explore brilliant birds & other taxidermy creatures from the Museum collections & find out how they are cared for by the Museum team. Free.

Arts & Crafts

EASTER SANDCASTING: FISH,EASTER EGG, CAT OR BIRD

9th-9th April 2024

Time: 9.30am & 10.30am

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Create a glass fish, Easter Egg, cat or bird using sand to make a mould. Add your own colour & decoration to make your design unique. Watch as your design is transformed by our studio team who will pour...

Arts & Crafts

DOG PRINTS

10th-10th April 2024

Time: 11.30am. 1.30pm & 3pm

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Learn how to make a mono-print of a dog using professional printing equipment. Start by drawing a dog themed design & learn how to turn it into a print. You will have the chance to make a couple of different...

Outdoor Events

FAMILY WILLOW WEAVING

11th-11th April 2024

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

Join a session of group crafting with a wonderful willow artist. Each group will be guided to make several pieces which they can take home. Pre-booking online required.

Indoor Activities

DISCOVERY ZOO

12th-12th April 2024

Time: 11am, 1pm & 2.30pm

Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Address: SR1 1PP

Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk

Meet the creatures from Discovery Zoo including a Carolina corn snake, Giant African millipede, Harlequin gecko and Costa Rican zebra tarantula and find out about their behaviour and habitats around the...

Arts & Crafts

EASTER SANDCASTING: FISH,EASTER EGG, CAT OR BIRD

12th-12th April 2024

Time: 9.30am & 10.30am

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Create a glass fish, Easter Egg, cat or bird using sand to make a mould. Add your own colour & decoration to make your design unique. Watch as your design is transformed by our studio team who will pour...

Outdoor Events

FOREST FRIDAY

12th-12th April 2024

Time: 10.30am-12pm

Venue: Ushaw Historic House

Address: Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

Website: www.ushaw.org

Join in lots of Forest fun in the beautiful grounds of Ushaw! Pre-booking online required.

Theatre & Cinema

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE LIVE

12th-12th April 2024

Time: 1.30pm & 5pm

Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,

Address: DH1 1WA

Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.

Last year saw Science lead the way in getting our lives back to normal. Now, the UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever! Join our presenters as they dive deep into the world...

Arts & Crafts

PATTERNED GLASS PAINTING

12th-12th April 2024

Time: 10am-12pm & 1-3.30pm

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Drop-in & be inspired by the world around you and create colourful patterns on a glass tiles using a range of brightly coloured pens. Will your pattern be geometric, abstract, traditional? Ages 4+. £5pp.

Arts & Crafts

BEAUTIFUL BIRDS - GLASS FUSING

13th-13th April 2024

Time: 10am, 11.30am. 1.30pm & 3pm

Venue: National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL

Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com

Get creative in this glassmaking session! Design a bird – will it be realistic or fantastical? Use a range of high-quality glass fusing supplies to create a solid glass bird. You will be shown how to...

Indoor Activities

HEATHER SMALL

13th-13th April 2024

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Durham Cathedral

Address: The College, DH1 3EH

Website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk

Hear British soul singer Heather Small (the voice of M People) perform in the iconic setting of Durham Cathedral this April. Tickets from £64.20.www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/events/heather-small 

Arts & Crafts

GREEN WOODWORKING EVENT

14th-14th April 2024

Time: 10am-4pm

Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,

Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN

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

Local green woodworker, Chris Helliwell, will be demonstrating his traditional wood-turning craft skills using a pole lathe & shave horse, & giving people an opportunity to have a go. Normal admission...

Indoor Activities

LITTLE LOCOS

18th-18th April 2024

Time: 10.30-11.30am

Venue: Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon,

Address: DL4 1PQ

Website: www.locomotion.org.uk

Taking place every month, Little Locos is a special session for young visitors aged five & under, & their families & carers. Little Locos is the perfect place for you & your little ones to play & learn...

Indoor Activities

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

18th-18th April 2024

Time: 11am & 1.30pm

Venue: Arts Centre Washington,

Address: NE38 8AB

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

balletLORENT invites you into a magical world with their retelling of The Velveteen Rabbit. There are two versions of this performance the first is a version especially adapted for children aged between...

Outdoor Events

BISHOP AUCKLAND FOOD FESTIVAL

20th April-31st January 1900

Venue: Market Place,

Address: Bishop Auckland, DL14 7NP

Website: www.bishopaucklandfoodfestival.co.uk

The region's biggest food event has plenty on the menu with exciting street food, tempting tipples, indulgent treats ready & buckets full of family fun.

Outdoor Events

MAY DAY CELEBRATIONS

5th-6th May 2024

Venue: Beamish Museum

Address: Beamish, DH9 0RG

Website: www.beamish.org.uk

In the Edwardian period, May Day was second only to Christmas in popularity & each town or village all over the country would have its own range of traditions and customs. Find out more about the customs...

Outdoor Events

ACTIVE SUNDERLAND BIG 3K RUN

12th-12th May 2024

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! Entry is just £10 per adult...

Indoor Activities

LITTLE LOCOS

16th-16th May 2024

Time: 10.30-11.30am

Venue: Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon,

Address: DL4 1PQ

Website: www.locomotion.org.uk

Taking place every month, Little Locos is a special session for young visitors aged five & under, & their families & carers. Little Locos is the perfect place for you & your little ones to play & learn...

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