Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Sunderland & Durham
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SWIMMING LESSONS WITH EVERYONE ACTIVE
1st January-31st December 2025
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...
DURHAM CATHEDRAL NATURE TRAIL
31st January-31st December 2025
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....
WWT WASHINGTON APP
11th March-31st December 2025
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.
KNITTED TOGETHER
28th September-4th May 2025
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Drawing on the objects & photographs of the main donors to the Korean collection at the Oriental Museum, Knitted Together details the Korean lives & legacies of Richard & Joan Rutt’s 20 years living...
DURHAM CATHEDRAL NATURE TRAIL
31st January-31st December 2025
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...
SATURDAY ART CLUB
1st February-31st December 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/
This Saturday Art Club is suitable for children aged 8+ with an interest in art who would like to develop their skills further. Often taking inspiration from exhibitions & artists working within the arts...
WASHINGTON YOUTH THEATRE
1st February-31st December 2025
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/
Weekly sessions for 8-12 years olds to practice & develop their theatre skills, increase confidence, & make new friends! £6 per child. Book at sunderlandculture.org.uk/events/washington-youth-theatre.
ARBEIA ROMAN FORT
31st March-28th September 2025
Venue: Arbeia Roman Fort
Address: Baring Street, South Shields, NE33 2BB
Website: www.arbeiaromanfort.org.uk
Arbeia Roman Fort once guarded the entrance to the River Tyne & was a key garrison & military supply base to other forts along Hadrians Wall. Step into the fort & immerse yourself in the world of the Romans...
MODEL RAILWAY SHOW
1st-30th April 2025
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Locomotion - The National Railway Museum
Address: Shildon, DL4 1PQ
Website: www.locomotion.org.uk
Throughout April, Locomotion, in partnership with Shildon Model Railway Club, will host a model railways show featuring a range of different layouts & displays.
SHAKESPEARE RECOVERED
4th April-2nd November 2025
Time: 11am-4pm
Venue: Durham University Palace Green Library
Address: DH1 3RN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk/palace.green
In December 1998, the Durham First Folio, a copy of William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies, was stolen along with six other items while on display in Cosin’s Library. In 2008, a badly...
DINO EGG HUNT
5th-26th April 2025
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens,
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/
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. £1 per trail. Trails...
LLOYD OF THE FLIES WETLAND BUG HUNT
5th April-1st June 2025
Time: 10am-5.30pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre,
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Dive into the wonderful world of wetland insects with Lloyd & his new friend Dart the dragonfly. Follow the trail to help them find Lloyd's friends & family & make their way to the bug hotel. Use the Lloyd...
SUPER SUNDERLANDSCAPE
5th April-5th May 2025
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens,
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/
Add your drawings to the Museum's growing Sunderlandscape inspired by the Sheila Fell exhibition & the wonderful wild places we know & love on Wearside.
EASTER HOLIDAY FUN
12th-27th April 2025
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Down at the Farm,
Address: Houghton-le-Spring, DH5 8JG
Website: www.downatthefarm.co.uk
Its cuteness overload this Easter with lots of new life as we welcome newborn lambs for the season! Plus cuddle chicks, take a bumpy barrel ride in the veggie patch, meet the cows, rabbits & guinea pigs...
A BEARY SPECIAL EASTER
14th-25th April 2025
Venue: The Bridges Shopping Centre,
Address: SR1 3DR
Website: www.thebridges-shopping.com
Calling all little adventurers! The Bridges has a beary special Easter treat in store including a Paw Print trail.Pick up a map from the Customer Service Desk & follow the Paw Print Trail, searching for...
EASTER FAMILY ACTIVITIES
14th-27th April 2025
Venue: Durham Cathedral
Address: The College, DH1 3EH
Website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk
This Easter borrow a backpack filled with fun activities & challenges to explore the cathedral in a new & different way. From binoculars to see up high, torches for those secret spaces or roll a die &...
TEDDY STORYTIME & EASTER CRAFT
15th-24th April 2025
Time: Every Tues & Thurs
Venue: The Bridges Shopping Centre,
Address: SR1 3DR
Website: www.thebridges-shopping.com
Get cosy at The Bridges every Tuesday & Thursday of the Easter Holidays with your favourite teddy & enjoy Teddy Storytime at 11am & 2pm! Then, unleash your creativity at their craft sessions.
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG
22nd-27th April 2025
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
Based on Ian Fleming’s timeless story for children meet absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts who restores a broken-down old racing car with the help of his children Jemima & Jeremy. Soon the family...
ANGELA'S ARK
24th-24th April 2025
Time: 11am-12pm & 12.30-1.30pm
Venue: South Shields Museum & Art Gallery,
Address: Ocean Road, NE33 2JA
Website: www.southshieldsmuseum.org.uk
Experience an exciting animal handling & interaction session, where you can meet amazing creatures, learn fascinating facts & enjoy hands-on crafty fun! Perfect for little explorers aged 4+. £7pp + booking...
CRAZY CREATURES
24th-24th April 2025
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,
Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/things-to-do/venues/botanic-garden
Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day. Enjoy hands-on, animal encounters with rabbits, frogs, snakes, spiders, mice & other animals. Normal admission charges apply.
GLASS PAINTED ANIMAL TILES
24th-24th April 2025
Time: 10am & 12pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Drop-in & paint your favourite animals on glass tiles to take home. Ages 4+. £5pp.
MILKSHAKE LIVE ON HOLIDAY
24th-24th April 2025
Time: 12.30pm & 3.30pm
Venue: Empire Theatre Consett
Address: DH8 5AB
Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/
Join your favourite Milkshake! friends on Holiday with Dora, Pip & Posey, Blue from Blues Clues & You!, Milo, Milkshake! Monkey plus two of your Milkshake! presenters for an all-new adventure! It’s a...
CERAMIC ANIMAL TILES
25th-25th April 2025
Time: 10am & 2pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Inspired by the Menagerie exhibition, use clay techniques to create some of your favourite animals in a tile. Ages 5+. £12pp.Book online.
DURHAM WORLD HERITAGE DAY
25th-25th April 2025
Venue: Durham University Palace Green Library
Address: DH1 3RN
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/news-events
Durham’s World Heritage Day will see a range of exciting & interactive activities happening in the beautiful & historic surroundings of Palace Green, to celebrate this amazing World Heritage Site. More...
NICK COPE - I'VE LOST MY BOBBLE HAT
25th-25th April 2025
Time: 11am & 2pm
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.
Help Nick find his beloved bobble hat in this fun filled musical hour with all your favourite Nick Cope hits & more. With his charming songs & humour Nick engages, entertains, & enthrals all generations....
THE WORST PRINCESS
1st-1st May 2025
Time: 1 & 4pm
Venue: Sunderland Fire Station
Address: High Street West, SR1 3HA
Website: www. sunderlandculture.org.uk
Full House Theatre’s new family show about feisty Sue not your everyday fairy tale superstar but The Worst Princess. After being rescued by her twit of a prince she’s ready to start her happy end....
TUESDAY MUSEUM CLUB
6th-6th May 2025
Time: 10-11.30am
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens,
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/
The Tuesday Museum Club is Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens a monthly session for home educated families with children aged 5 – 11 years old. It takes place on the first Tuesday of each month & is...
ACTIVE SUNDERLAND BIG 3K RUN
11th-11th May 2025
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! The minimum age is 5 years...
MICHAEL MORPURGO'S FARM BOY
11th-12th May 2025
Venue: Sunderland Fire Station
Address: High Street West, SR1 3HA
Website: www. sunderlandculture.org.uk
It sometimes felt as though time had stood still down on the farm - the old Fordson tractor quietly rusting away at the back of the barn, Grandpa tending his chickens - that is, until the summer his grandson...
TOM GATES' EPIC STAGE SHOW
28th-28th May 2025
Time: 1 & 3.30pm
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.
Based on the bestselling books by Liz Pichon, this brand new Stage Show comes to Gala Durham bringing alive the illustrations & music that makes Tom Gates hugely popular around the world! Tickets from£15.50,...
FLOWERS & FRIENDSHIPS BRACELETS
31st-31st May 2025
Time: 6pm
Venue: Empire Theatre Consett
Address: DH8 5AB
Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/
The Ultimate Pop Concert to celebrate the biggest hits from the hottest artistes of the moment including tributes to Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo & Sabrina Carpenter. Tickets £22.50.
HAMILTON
17th June-26th July 2025
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
This is the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War & helped shape the very foundations...