Seasonal & Holiday Events in Durham

Durham's seasonal events bring the city's communities together to celebrate the turning of the year, from the magical lights of winter to the outdoor revelries of summer. The city's seasonal calendar is genuinely one of the best reasons to live here — there's always something on the horizon to look forward to.

Christmas transforms Durham every year: Christmas markets, festive light installations, ice rinks, carol concerts, pantomimes, and wreath-making workshops fill the winter calendar with warmth and colour. The city's Christmas markets in particular have become a major attraction, drawing visitors from across the region.

Halloween brings a brilliant programme of ghost walks, horror film screenings, spooky family events, and fancy dress parties to Durham. Bonfire Night sees fireworks displays and bonfires in parks across the city. Valentine's Day, Easter, and summer bank holidays each have their own programme of special events tailored to the occasion.

The city's multicultural communities enrich its seasonal calendar enormously: Diwali celebrations, Eid festivals, Chinese New Year events, and Caribbean carnival each bring their own distinctive energy to Durham's streets and public spaces. Many of these events are free to attend and open to all, making them among the most welcoming and genuinely representative of the city's diverse population.