Durham Book Festival is the North East’s leading literary event, produced by New Writing North for Durham County Council and held in Durham City each October.

2026 dates: Friday 9 – Sunday 11 October, taking place mainly at Gala Durham. Tickets are on sale now.

This year’s line-up: Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant joins Durham University Chancellor Fiona Hill for a talk in the Forged in the North series, marking the 40th anniversary of the band’s debut album. Actor Christopher Eccleston appears alongside bestselling and award-winning writers including Susanna Clarke, Lucy Foley, Louise Doughty, Kit Fan and Sarah Hall, with poets Hollie McNish and Kayo Chingonyi. Fiona Hill also appears with Times columnist James Marriott for a discussion on smartphones, reading and democracy.

Also running: a programme of workshops and activities across County Durham’s libraries tied to the 2026 National Year of Reading, plus the return of the Big Read and Little Read.

Practical tips: headline events sell out book early. Most of the programme is concentrated at Gala Durham in the city centre, so parking is the usual Durham challenge; Park & Ride is easiest.
For groups travelling in: The Barn Oakenshaw is an exclusive-use estate a short drive from Durham city, sleeping up to 16 with three wood-fired hot tubs, log burners and private parking — a quiet countryside base for an October weekend in the city.

✨ Raby Castle – Enchanted Christmas Light Trail ✨

Raby Castle near Staindrop transforms for Christmas, with the castle’s state rooms dressed for the season and an illuminated trail winding through The Plotters’ Forest.

New for 2026: the experience expands with two new ground-floor rooms — the Servants’ Hall dressed for a traditional Christmas Day below stairs, and an immersive kitchen installation by designer Tom Le Bon showing the preparations behind the meal. More projection and lighting technology has been added throughout, with candlelit evening experiences on selected dates.

Also on: Father Christmas at Raby Castle, Mr and Mrs Claus in the Yuletide Yurt, and the Enchanted Forest trail — walkable in daylight or after dark when the lights come on. Tickets include Deer Park and Walled Gardens access.

Booking: these events sell out annually. Book early.

Where to stay: The Barn Oakenshaw is an exclusive-use estate in County Durham sleeping up to 16, with three wood-fired hot tubs a comfortable base for groups visiting Raby, High Force and Barnard Castle.

Step into a world of festive magic at the Enchanted Christmas Light Trail at Raby Castle, one of County Durham’s most breathtaking winter experiences. Wander through glowing woodland paths, shimmering light installations, and beautifully illuminated castle grounds as the historic estate transforms into a sparkling wonderland for the season.

Expect a magical evening filled with:
🎄 Twinkling tunnels of light
✨ Enchanted forest scenes
🕯️ Atmospheric projections on the castle
🍭 Festive food cabins, drinks & treats
👨‍👩‍👧 A family-friendly trail perfect for all ages
📸 Stunning photo moments at every turn

Whether you’re visiting as a family, a couple, or bringing the whole group, Raby’s light trail delivers a truly unforgettable festive experience a perfect way to start (or end!) your Christmas celebrations.

The Gala Durham pantomime is one of the city’s best-loved Christmas traditions, and 2026 brings Rapunzel — set in the tangled forest of Hamsterley, where a mysterious tower hides a kind-hearted prisoner and the enchantress Mistress Gothel haunts the woodland paths.

2026 run: 19 November – 31 December.

What to expect: booing, cheering, “he’s behind you!”, and the feel-good festive energy Gala pantos are known for. Suitable for all ages and a reliable first theatre trip for younger children.

Group bookings: email groupbookings@durham.gov.uk, call the Group Sales Co-ordinator on 03000 264 169, or the Box Office on 03000 266 600. School performance dates available on request.

Where to stay: The Barn Oakenshaw is an exclusive-use countryside estate sleeping up to 16, a short drive from Durham city. Popular with extended families combining the panto with the Durham Christmas Festival — with three wood-fired hot tubs waiting when you get back.

✨ Christmas at Beamish Museum ✨
Saturday 21 Nov – Thursday 24 Dec 2026

Beamish, The Living Museum of the North, recreates Christmas across the decades — from a Georgian celebration at Pockerley to a 1950s festive high street.

Christmas Daytimes 2026: Saturday 21 November – Thursday 24 December, open daily 10am–4pm. Included in standard museum admission and free for Unlimited Pass holders.

What to expect: decorated homes and shopfronts across the 1900s Town and Pit Village, freshly baked treats from the bakery, sweet shop favourites, carol singers and brass bands, vintage trams and buses running in the cold, and Edwardian photographer sessions with winter costumes.

Worth knowing: Christmas Evenings are a separate ticketed event and sell out early. Grotto visits must be pre-booked. Beamish is a 350-acre open-air site — wrap up warm and allow a full day.

Staying near Beamish: The Barn Oakenshaw is an exclusive-use County Durham estate sleeping up to 16, with three wood-fired hot tubs and private parking. It suits multi-generational family groups pairing Beamish with Durham’s Christmas markets.

Step back in time and experience the magic of Christmas through the ages at Beamish Museum — the North East’s award-winning open-air museum, transformed into a festive world like no other.

Wander through the beautifully recreated towns, villages, and pit communities as they come alive with seasonal traditions, costumed characters, and old-fashioned charm. A perfect day out for families, couples, and groups looking to soak up Christmas nostalgia.

🎄 Expect a magical experience filled with:
🕯 Traditional Christmas decorations from different eras
🍬 Sweet shops, bakeries & festive treats made the old-fashioned way
🚂 Vintage trams and buses decked out for the season
🎶 Carol singers, brass bands & live music
👨‍👩‍👧 Hands-on crafts, storytelling & winter activities for children
🎁 Historic shops and stalls for unique Christmas gifts
🌲 Cosy firesides and glowing lantern-lit streets

Every corner of Beamish feels like stepping into a living Christmas card perfect for making seasonal memories.