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
To search the listings, enter a keyword, location and/or date in the boxes below.
When entering a location, select the best location match from the list that appears, then click Go.
Click here to clear your search.
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...
JACK & THE BEANSTALK TRAIL
16th November-4th January 2025
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
Address: SR1 1PP
Website: www.sunderlandmuseum.org.uk
Follow the beanstalk trail around the galleries & Winter Gardens to learn what plants need to grow big & strong & help Jack find the golden egg. This trail is inspired by Jack & the Beanstalk at Sunderland...
SANTA EXPRESS
16th November-24th December 2024
Venue: Weardale Railway,
Address: Stanhope, DL13 2YS
Website: www.santaexpress-weardalerailway.co.uk
Join Santa & his cheeky elves on a festive family train ride with hot chocolate & a cookie on arrival.Journey through Weardale where a Christmas story unfolds with festive sing-a-longs, a visit from Santa...
SANTA'S GROTTO
16th November-24th December 2024
Venue: Dalton Park
Address: Seaham, SR7 9HU
Website: www.dalton-park.co.uk
Visit Santa's grotto for an experience your little ones will look back on with joy in years to come, where they will meet Father Christmas to tell him all of their Christmas wishes, receive a special festive...
BEAUTY & THE BEAST
21st November-31st December 2024
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.
This year's Gala Panto is a roaringly beautiful show! In a small village in Durham lives Belle renowned for her brains & beauty far & wide. In Pity Me lies an abandoned castle, a magical place inhabited...
FOREST OF LIGHT
23rd November-5th January 2025
Time: 4-8pm
Venue: Beamish Hall Hotel
Address: Coppy Ln, DH9 0YB
Website: www.beamish-hall.co.uk/forest-of-light
Take the family to a wonderful world of magical illuminations & fantastic lighting displays this festive period. At night, when the moon takes its place in the sky the magical forest comes to life with...
VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS AT GIBSIDE
23rd November-23rd December 2024
Time: 10.45am-3.40pm
Venue: Gibside NT
Address: NE16 6BG
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
Follow the stars to Gibside Stables for an enchanting encounter with Father Christmas & his elves in this immersive theatre & craft workshop experience. The full Father Christmas experience will last approximately...
WOODLAND FAIRY TRAIL
23rd November-6th January 2025
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Gibside NT
Address: NE16 6BG
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside
Discover the secrets of the woodland fairies at Gibside. The gardeners at Gibside keep losing tools and misplacing plant pots. That can only mean one thing - the mischievous fairies are back! Help them...
CINDERELLA
29th November-31st December 2024
Venue: Empire Theatre Consett
Address: DH8 5AB
Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/
Packed full of adventure, fun, dazzling costumes, hit songs, audience participation, & all your favourite characters – Leah Bell & company return in 2024 to present the most magical fairy tale of them...
BREADCRUMBS
3rd-24th December 2024
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.
Hansel and Gretel are siblings that just can’t seem to get along. They argue about everything: Who’s the loudest, who’s the fastest, who’s the smartest, who’s Mum’s favourite, & who gets the...
JACK & THE BEANSTALK
13th December-5th January 2025
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
From the Yorkshire Dales to the city of Sunderland, ITV Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden is set to bring his boyish charm to this year’s pantomime spectacular, Jack and the Beanstalk, as loveable hero...
ELF ACADEMY
15th-22nd December 2024
Time: Sat & Sun 10-11.30am & 1-2.30pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
The popular Elf Academy is once again opening its doors to young recruits. Enrol on one of these special workshops & learn everything you need to know to gain your all-important Elf Diploma, including...
REINDEER ALERT LIGHT
23rd-23rd December 2024
Time: 10am & 1pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Drop-in & decorate a glass jar using a range of transparent materials & other embellishments to leave out on Christmas Eve. Comes complete with battery operated tealight & the opportunity to make your...
BOXING DAY WILD WALK
26th-26th December 2024
Time: 11am-12noon
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
An hour-long wild guided walk from 11am-12noon around the reserve enjoying the different wildlife that visit the site over the winter. Free with general admission. No booking needed.
VIVALDI FOUR SEASONS AT CHRISTMAS
27th-27th December 2024
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Durham Cathedral
Address: The College, DH1 3EH
Website: www.durhamcathedral.co.uk
Enjoy an outstanding musical evening in the days after Christmas with a performance of Vivaldi's timeless classic, The Four Seasons, in the spectacular candlelit setting of Durham Cathedral. Tickets...
NEW YEAR'S DAY GUIDED WALK
1st-1st January 2025
Time: 11am-12noon
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Start off your New Year's Day with a guided walk from 11am-12noon around the west of the reserve, looking for woodland birds around Hawthorn Wood hide. Free with general admission. No booking needed.
ANIMAL GLASS PAINTING
3rd-3rd January 2025
Time: 10am & 1pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Use paint pens to create a stained-glass effect design on glass inspired by animals & the natural world. What animal will you choose? Ages 4+. £5pp. Drop-in. No booking required.
ANIMAL FUSING
4th-4th January 2025
Time: 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Choose from a range of animal shapes & create a beautiful solid glass artwork. Use coloured glass tiles, glass grains & glass spaghetti. Ages 6+. £12pp. Booking required.
FLAMING FLIES
4th-4th January 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Find out why the bravest Ancient Egyptians were award a golden fly & make your own. Free event.1-3pm.
SELFIE ART
11th-11th January 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Spot the Selfie Queen sculpture in the South Asian Gallery & make some funky selfie art. Free event.1-3pm.
WINTER WONDERLAND
18th-18th January 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Did you know that plum blossom is a symbol of winter in Chinese culture? Find out about this special flower & make a snowy plum blossom wreath. Free event.1-3pm.
ISLAMIC ART WORKSHOP
25th-25th January 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Chat to members of Durham University Islamic Society & try making your own Islamic-inspired geometric artwork. Free event.1-3pm.
WEAVING WORKSHOP
1st-1st February 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Check out the intricate patterns on the baskets on display & weave your own woollen flower. Free event.1-3pm.
CROWD CRAFT - LANTERN FESTIVAL
8th-8th February 2025
Time: 1-3pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
Get ready for the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival & make tissue paper lantern to decorate the museum. Free event.1-3pm.
LANTERN FESTIVAL
12th-12th February 2025
Time: 6-8pm
Venue: Oriental Museum
Address: Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
Website: www.durham.ac.uk/oriental.museum
The annual Lantern Festival at the Oriental Museum celebrates the beginning of the new lunar year. Try fantastic Year of the Snake crafts, sample delicious New Year snacks, listen to stories, music & more. Booking...
HERE BE DRAGONS
18th-26th February 2025
Venue: At venues throughout Sunderland & South Tyneside.
Address: SR1
Website: www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk/here-be-dragons
A captivating new show for families from Unfolding Theatre packed with music, fun & adventure. Em lives near the River Wear. She is ten (&three quarters), & she isn’t scared of made-up stories, okay?...