✨ Gala Durham Pantomime – Rapunzel✨
19 November – 31 December 2025
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 tracks.
What the villagers don’t know is that the tower hides a single, sorrowful resident: the kind-hearted Rapunzel, whose only regular company is a plucky little red squirrel.
But the good folk of Hamsterley whisper of other things too. They dare not speak the name of Mistress Gothel, the enchantress who haunts the forest paths.
With the help of her new friends, can Rapunzel travel to the distant city of Durham and discover her true identity and solve the mystery of the floating lanterns?
With laughter, surprises and feel-good festive energy from start to finish, the Gala Panto continues to be one of Durham’s most popular Christmas family events. Expect booing, cheering, shouting “He’s behind you!”, and leaving with your cheeks aching from smiling.
A brilliant tradition for creating Christmas memories and kicking off the holiday season with joy.
To find out more details and dates of our school performances and to reserve your booking, email us at groupbookings@durham.gov.uk, or contact our Group Sales Co-ordinator on 03000 264 169 or our Box Office on 03000 266 600.
The Durham Brass Festival is one of the most popular summer music events in the North East. Held every July in Durham City, the festival brings brass bands from across the UK and around the world for a week of live music, performances and community celebrations.
The festival features a wide variety of brass music, from traditional marching bands to modern, contemporary and jazz-inspired performances. Each year, audiences can enjoy:
Outdoor concerts in city squares and parks
Family-friendly street performances
Evening shows in popular venues
School and community projects
Pop-up music events around Durham
It’s a lively, colourful event that fills the city with sound, energy and atmosphere. Whether you’re a music lover or simply enjoy discovering something new, the Brass Festival is a wonderful way to experience Durham in the summer.
The Durham Brass Festival usually takes place in mid-July, with the 2026 dates expected to run 12–19 July 2026.
The festival is designed to bring people together through music. Local residents, visitors and musicians gather in different locations across Durham, including the Market Place, Wharton Park, Gala Theatre and city cathedral spaces.
Because performances take place across multiple days and venues, it’s easy to plan a visit that suits your schedule — whether you want a full weekend of concerts or just a relaxed afternoon enjoying outdoor music.
If you’re attending the Durham Brass Festival, staying at The Barn Oakenshaw offers a comfortable and peaceful base close to the city. After a day of music and celebrations, you can return to countryside accommodation, private parking and a quiet evening away from the crowds.
Our location is ideal for:
Couples enjoying a summer music break
Families looking for space and flexibility
Groups attending concerts together
Some events are free, while others may require booking in advance.
Public transport is useful during the festival, as city parking can be busy.
Bring comfortable footwear if attending multiple performances around the city.
The Durham Brass Festival is a fantastic way to explore the city and enjoy live music in historic surroundings. Combine your visit with local attractions such as Durham Cathedral, riverside walks, markets, cafés and summer events around Bishop Auckland and County Durham.
For a relaxed place to stay nearby, The Barn Oakenshaw gives you space, comfort and easy access to everything the festival has to offer.
Kynren is a spectacular outdoor night show that takes place each summer in Bishop Auckland. Performed on a huge open-air stage, Kynren tells 2,000 years of English history through live action, music, dramatic effects and breath-taking choreography. It’s one of the most unique and memorable experiences in County Durham.
The Kynren Night Show Season usually runs through the summer on selected Saturday evenings, with performances typically scheduled from mid-July to mid-September.
Shows begin at dusk and last around 90 minutes. The 2026 season is expected to run from:
18 July – 12 September 2026
(Exact dates and performance times are released closer to summer.)
Kynren is a full sensory experience designed to “bring history to life.” Across a vast lakeside stage, you’ll see:
Hundreds of costumed cast members
Live horses, animals and special effects
A dramatic soundtrack
Pyrotechnics, lighting and water displays
Historical scenes from Roman times to World War II
It’s suitable for families, couples and groups, and the atmosphere builds as daylight fades and the show unfolds under the night sky.
Kynren has become one of the top summer attractions in the North East. The scale of the production, the storytelling and the dramatic staging make it genuinely unforgettable — even if you’ve been before, each season brings new details and developments.
Visitors often combine Kynren with other Bishop Auckland attractions such as Auckland Castle, the Mining Art Gallery or the Bishop Auckland Food Festival if visiting in spring.
If you’re planning to attend Kynren, The Barn Oakenshaw provides comfortable countryside accommodation just a short drive from Bishop Auckland.
After an exciting evening show, return to peace and quiet with:
Private parking
Self-catering facilities
Relaxing rural views
Space to unwind away from crowds
It’s an ideal location for a summer weekend break around Bishop Auckland.
Arrive early, as seating access opens before dusk and parking can get busy.
Bring warm layers — evenings can feel cool even in summer.
Follow signage for Kynren event parking; it is well organised with shuttle buses.
Booking tickets in advance is strongly recommended.
For visitors looking for a truly unique event, the Kynren Night Show Season is a highlight of the County Durham calendar. With history, drama, music and incredible staging, it’s an unforgettable summer experience for all ages.
Stay nearby at The Barn Oakenshaw and enjoy a comfortable, quiet base close to one of the North East’s most remarkable live shows.
The Durham Fringe Festival is a five-day celebration of performing arts held each summer in Durham City. From 29 July to 2 August, theatres, pubs, historic venues and outdoor spaces across the city come alive with comedy, theatre, music, storytelling, dance and creative performances.
What makes the Fringe special is the range of acts and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy:
Stand-up comedy and late-night shows
Live music and acoustic performances
Theatre and drama productions
Spoken word, poetry and storytelling
Circus, cabaret and experimental art
The programme changes every day, meaning there’s always something new to discover — whether you’re looking for a family show, a quirky one-person performance or a big crowd-pleaser.
The Fringe Festival spreads across multiple venues in Durham, including small theatres, intimate performance spaces and pop-up stages. It’s a fantastic way to explore the city during the summer, with cafés, restaurants, riverside walks and historic architecture all within easy reach of the festival sites.
If you’re planning to visit the festival, The Barn Oakenshaw offers peaceful countryside accommodation close to Durham City. After a day (or evening) of performances, you can return to a quiet, comfortable space away from the bustle of the festival.
Our location is ideal for:
Couples enjoying a summer arts break
Friends exploring different shows across the weekend
Visitors who want to balance culture and relaxation
Some shows are ticketed separately, so it’s worth checking the programme in advance.
Durham city parking can be busy during festival evenings — public transport or park-and-ride can be useful options.
If you’re staying for more than one day, plan to see different styles of performances to get the full Fringe experience.
The Durham Fringe Festival is a growing event with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a diverse mix of talent. It’s a brilliant way to enjoy live performance, discover new artists and make the most of summer in the North East.
For a relaxed and comfortable base near Durham, book your stay at The Barn Oakenshaw and enjoy a culture-filled short break close to the city.
Sat 5 – Sun 6 Sept 2026
Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest and Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.
Saturday is Agricultural Day and there’s always lots to see and do including the Craft Tent, Show Jumping – major classes, Donkey Rides, Vintage Vehicles, Birds of Prey Display, Dog Agility Show, Artisan Food Market, Live Music, Strongman Competition and much more.
Sunday is Country Fair day and amongst the many great things to see and do are the KC Dog Show, Ferret Show, Horticulture, Alpacas, Ponies, Show Jumping Marquee Displays, Vintage Vehicles and much more.
Sat 12 – Sun 13 Sept 2026
The Weardale finale with show rings, food & fun. After the buzz, slip into your hot tub under the stars.
✨ Gala Durham Pantomime – Rapunzel✨
19 November – 31 December 2025
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 tracks.
What the villagers don’t know is that the tower hides a single, sorrowful resident: the kind-hearted Rapunzel, whose only regular company is a plucky little red squirrel.
But the good folk of Hamsterley whisper of other things too. They dare not speak the name of Mistress Gothel, the enchantress who haunts the forest paths.
With the help of her new friends, can Rapunzel travel to the distant city of Durham and discover her true identity and solve the mystery of the floating lanterns?
With laughter, surprises and feel-good festive energy from start to finish, the Gala Panto continues to be one of Durham’s most popular Christmas family events. Expect booing, cheering, shouting “He’s behind you!”, and leaving with your cheeks aching from smiling.
A brilliant tradition for creating Christmas memories and kicking off the holiday season with joy.
To find out more details and dates of our school performances and to reserve your booking, email us at groupbookings@durham.gov.uk, or contact our Group Sales Co-ordinator on 03000 264 169 or our Box Office on 03000 266 600.
✨ Durham Christmas Festival ✨
Fri 4 – Sun 6 December 2025
One of the North East’s most magical festive weekends returns as Durham City transforms into a sparkling winter celebration filled with music, markets and Christmas cheer. The Durham Christmas Festival is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the season’s spirit, with enchanting streets, historic markets, and cosy festive charm at every turn.
🎄 What to Expect:
🛍️ The Cathedral Cloister Craft Marquee
Discover some of the region’s finest handmade gifts, crafts, decorations, ceramics, jewellery and festive treats inside the stunning medieval cloisters of Durham Cathedral.
🏰 The Durham Market Hall & Outdoor Markets
Browse over 200 stalls offering artisan produce, local foods, gifts, clothing and Christmas favourites. The bustling marketplace spills out onto the surrounding streets, adding to the vibrant seasonal atmosphere.
🕯️ Lantern Procession
A magical highlight of the weekend, the lantern parade winds its way through the city’s cobbled streets, lighting up the evening with glowing sculptures, community lanterns and enchanting music.
🎶 Street Entertainment & Choir Performances
Enjoy choirs, musicians, brass bands and festive performers bringing the city centre to life. Seasonal melodies echo through Durham’s historic lanes and riverside paths.
🍷 Festive Food & Drink
Mulled wine, hot chocolate, seasonal bakes, local produce and warm winter comfort foods can be found throughout the markets — perfect for enjoying as you explore.
🏛️ Durham Cathedral & Castle
The city’s iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site becomes a breath-taking festive backdrop, with atmospheric lighting, beautiful displays and Christmas activities.
✨ A weekend filled with festive magic, historic charm, shopping, music and family joy — the Durham Christmas Festival captures everything we love about the holiday season.
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