Fjs Year 6 Leavers Party!
Fulwell Junior School's Year 6 leavers party features live music, buffet, and family activities at These Things Happen in Roker.
THECITYBRIEF
Durham
What's On in Durham – Events This Week & Things To Do
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Walking past Castle Keep at dawn, with the River Wear glinting beneath medieval arches, reveals a quiet side of Durham. The city’s history pulses through cobbled streets and forgotten ruins like Longovicium or Finchale Priory. You can find events in West Rainton and Neville’s Cross, places often overlooked amid social media noise.
The City Brief delivers what matters: stories from Beamish Museum’s reconstructed streets to High Force’s rushing water, all sent weekly without needing to scroll. You’ll know Durham as it is, not as you search for it.
A peek inside recent issues
Events in Durham This Week
Information, Advice & Guidance Open Event - Tuesday, 2 June 2026
A guidance event at New College Durham offers academic advice and course selection support.
Information, Advice & Guidance Open Event - 2 June 2026
A free open event at New College Durham offers educational advice and guidance for prospective students.
Explore Events by Category
Looking for something specific in Durham?
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Upcoming Events by Category
Culture & Arts
Durham Market Hall History Tours
Explore Durham Market Hall’s rich history with guided tours of this historic venue.
Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto by Candlelight
A candlelit performance of Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto takes place at Durham Cathedral.
Food & Drink
Get Ncd Ready - Monday, 22nd June 2026
A preparatory session for New College Durham students to prepare for the upcoming academic term.
Get Ncd Ready - Tuesday, 23rd June 2026
An open evening event at New College Durham to prepare students for NCD life.
Get Ncd Ready - Wednesday, 24th June 2026
An open evening event at New College Durham to prepare prospective students for NCD life.
Nightlife & Music
World Cup Fanzone: England v Croatia 17th June 2026
Fans gather at The Rainton Arena to watch England face Croatia in a live World Cup Fanzone event.
World Cup Fanzone: England v Ghana 23rd June 2026
Live World Cup match between England and Ghana streamed at a fanzone in Sunderland.
World Cup Fanzone: England v Panama 27th June 2026
Live football screening of England vs Panama at a fanzone in Sunderland.
Featured Places in Durham
Leisure Facility
Active Life @CoxhoeActive Life @Coxhoe is a community sports and fitness centre in Coxhoe, County Durham.
View Info →Nightlife & Music
Ales ‘n’ TailsAles ‘n’ Tails Durham is a pub on Framwellgate that stands out for its craft beer selection and regular live music nights.
View Info →Co-operative Store
Allendale Co-operative SocietyYou can find Allendale Co-operative Society on Market Place in Allendale, Northumberland.
View Info →Leisure Centre
Chester-Le-Street Leisure CentreYou can find the Chester-Le-Street Leisure Centre on Burns Green in Chester-le-Street.
View Info →Shopping & Markets
Co-operative FoodCo-operative Food is a grocery store on Elvet Bridge in Durham.
View Info →Durham Places And Events Guides
Things to do in Durham
Durham hosts events across neighbourhoods including Castle Keep, Neville’s Cross, and Holwick. Weekly Shopping & Markets take place at Market Place, offering regional produce and craft stalls. The River Wear forms a scenic route from High Force to Low Force, with walking paths passing features like the Great Whin Sill Waterfall or Blackhall Rocks.
Cultural experiences include period costume tours at Beamish Open-Air Museum in Shildon, where reconstructed 19th-century streets bring history into focus. The Story displays digital archives in a restored manor house, and the National Railway Museum features historic vehicles like Locomotion No. 1 alongside interactive simulators.
Family & Kids occur near Palace Green or in green spaces such as Holwick Park, which hosts nature-based events throughout the year. Nightlife & Music performances take place at venues including The Story and 7even during regular season programming.
The city’s recurring events include the Lumiere festival, Durharn Regatta, Durham Miners’ Gala, and Durham Book Festival. Events also feature walking tours that explore Roman sites like Longovicium or Vinovia Roman Baths within the city boundaries. For transport, bus routes from Stanley Bus Station or train access via Durham railway station serve key districts including Castle Keep and Palace Green during events such as Lumiere festival.
Common Durham Questions
What kinds of events happen in Durham during the week?
Durham Market Place Outdoor Market takes place weekly on Thursday and Saturday, offering local producers and craft stalls. The Story hosts interactive digital archives and hands-on workshops for children aged three and up during its official opening weekend activities and selected monthly times. Family events include seasonal nature trails and craft sessions at Holwick Park.
Period costume tours at Beamish Open-Air Museum offer immersive experiences in reconstructed 19th-century settings on weekends throughout the year. Live music performances take place in venues such as The Story, with scheduled indie or jazz acts during regular season programming.
Where do most events take place in Durham?
Most weekly activities happen in central areas like Castle Keep and Neville’s Cross, locations close to the River Wear's scenic banks. Key sites include Durham Cathedral and its attached castle complex, which regularly hosts heritage walks and evening concerts during festivals such as Lumiere.
Palace Green serves as a hub for outdoor markets including weekly stalls from local vendors. Events at Beamish Open-Air Museum in Shildon draw visitors across County Durham on weekends.
Are there family-friendly things to do in Durham?
Yes, families can access free entry events at The Story during its official opening weekend and other designated times each month. Activities include interactive digital archives and hands-on sessions for children aged three and above.
Outdoor green spaces like Holwick Park provide natural play areas with walking trails suitable for young visitors. Period costume tours at Beamish Open-Air Museum in Shildon offer immersive experiences during holidays such as Easter or half-term breaks.
What nightlife and music events happen in Durham?
Live performances include jazz gigs at 7even on Friday evenings, with UK garage nights hosted by local promoters during special periods. Events linked to the Lumiere festival extend into evening programming with light installations along riverbanks near Palace Green.
Seasonal pop-up venues operate from A Block Playground and other spaces like NE32 3UP during university term time.
How can I find events happening this week or this weekend in Durham?
Check The City Brief’s weekly listings, updated every Monday to reflect new entries across the city’s event calendar. Filter by category, Family & Kids, Nightlife & Music, Culture & Arts, to locate relevant activities near locations such as River Wear footpaths hosting outdoor festivals. Listings include current week events and upcoming weekend highlights at major hubs including Durham Cathedral or Beamish Open-Air Museum.