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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SATURDAY ART CLUB
7th February-31st December 2026
Time: Sat 1-3pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/events/saturday-art-club
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
7th February-31st December 2026
Time: Sat 10am - 12pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/washington-youth-theatre-ages-8-12/
Build life-long skills in performance & confidence while making new friends! Join these weekly sessions for 8- to 12-year-olds. Develop theatre skills like presentation, improvisation & cooperation, while...
THE GREAT DINOSAUR ESCAPE
28th March-27th September 2026
Venue: Life Science Centre, Times Square,
Address: NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Dinosaurs have taken over Life Science Centre this Easter with the North’s biggest collection of animatronic dinosaurs. Follow the trail around the centre to hunt them down, from towering four-metre-high...
BEYOND VAN GOGH
12th July-9th August 2026
Venue: Utilita Arena,
Address: NE4 7NA
Website: www.utilitaarena.co.uk
Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience comes to Utilita Arena Newcastle transforming the arena floor into a 10,000 sq ft world of colour, light & sound. This spectacular event will bring more than 300...
DRAGONFLY FESTIVAL
18th July-31st August 2026
Time: 10am-5.30pm
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Enjoy a self-led dragonfly family adventure! Pick up a spotter guide to help you & head to the amphibian ponds to spend a while exploring the area & seeing what wildlife you can spot. On a sunny day, you...
KYNREN – THE STORIED LANDS
18th July-12th September 2026
Venue: 11Arches Flatts Farm, Bishop Auckland,
Address: DL14 7SF
Website: www.kynren.com
Step into a world where history, myth & legend come to life at Kynren – The Storied Lands – the UK’s first live-action show park opening this summer in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. Across one...
SUMMER FESTIVAL
18th July-31st August 2026
Venue: Locomotion - The National Railway Museum at Shildon,
Address: DL4 1PQ
Website: www.locomotion.org.uk
An action-packed summer of fun is coming to Locomotion! Enjoy a sandy beach, take a train ride & get stuck into hands-on family activities to celebrate the exciting world of engineering. Legendary locomotive...
MINIBEAST HUNTING, DEN BUILDING & POND DIPPING
20th July-26th August 2026
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Explore the world of soil, leaves & dry wood as you hunt for mini-beasts in Hollowood. Use a dusting brush, magnifying glass & observation trays to get a closer look of woodlice, millipedes, stink bugs...
GLASS PAINTING
21st-23rd July 2026
Time: 10am, 12pm or 2pm
Venue: National Glass Centre
Address: Liberty Way, SR6 0GL
Website: www.nationalglasscentre.com
It’s time to let your inner artist out. Decorate your choice of glass shapes including animals, birds & vehicles & paint your designs on glass tiles to take home. Ages 5+. £5pp. Book online.
DURHAM FRINGE FESTIVAL 2026
29th July-2nd August 2026
Venue: Durham
Address: DH1
Website: www.durhamfringe.co.uk
A spectacular array of performing arts including theatre, music, stand-up comedy, comedy theatre, magic, spoken word, cabaret, dance, physical theatre, circus, & children & youth shows. Visit the Durham...
CRAZY CREATURES
31st-31st July 2026
Time: 10.30am-4pm
Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,
Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden
Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures who are visiting the Garden for the day. Enjoy hands-on, animal encounters with rabbits, frogs, snakes, spiders, mice & other animals. Normal admission charges...
SEAHAM FOOD FESTIVAL 2026
1st-2nd August 2026
Venue: Seaham
Address: SR7
Website: www.seahamfoodfestival.co.uk
A fantastic foodie festival down by the sea! Alongside the tempting food stalls, this year, Seaham Food Festival will once again feature an open-air cookery theatre with demonstrations from a star stuuded...
DERWENTFEST 2026
14th-15th August 2026
Venue: Derwent Waterside Park
Address: Edmundbyers, Consett DH8 9TT
Website: www.watersideparksuk.com/park/derwent/
A weekend festival of live tribute music, food & drink, and children’s activities & entertainment, set in a stunning location, not far from you. Bring all the family, including the dog, & enjoy some...
FACE PAINTING
14th-14th August 2026
Time: 10am-3pm
Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,
Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden
Pop along & have your face painted with flowers, butterflies, glitter or animals. No need to be book, just turn up on the day. Normal admission charges apply.
MACKEM SCRAN WEEKEND
22nd-23rd August 2026
Time: 11am-3pm
Venue: Market Square, Sunderland,
Address: SR1 3LQ
Food. Vibes. Community. Street food that hits. Sweet treats you'll regret sharing. Proper local coffee. & a buzzing crowd all weekend. Bring your appetite. Bring your mates. Come hungry. Leave happy.
CRAZY CREATURES
27th-27th August 2026
Time: 10.30am-4pm
Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,
Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden
Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures who are visiting the Garden for the day. Enjoy hands-on, animal encounters with rabbits, frogs, snakes, spiders, mice & other animals. Normal admission charges...
THE 156TH WEARDALE SHOW
29th-29th August 2026
Time: 8am-5pm
Venue: Show Field, St Johns Chapel,
Address: DL13 1QF
Website: www.weardale-agricultural-show.co.uk
A traditional family agricultural show with something for all the family including FREE children's entertainment. Organised by the Weardale Agricultural Society (a small group based in the small village...
WOLSINGHAM SHOW 2026
5th-6th September 2026
Venue: Wolsingham Showground,
Address: DL13 3JG
Website: www.wolsinghamshow.co.uk
Celebrate the county’s farming life at England’s oldest & Durham’s biggest open-air Agricultural show. A jam-packed weekend of family-friendly entertainment.
DURHAM ORCHID SHOW
6th-6th September 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Venue: Durham University Botanic Garden,
Address: Hollingside Lane, DH1 3TN
Website: www.dur.ac.uk/botanic.garden
The North East of England Orchid Society, Durham University & the Botanic Garden present the Durham Orchid Show & Craft Fair at Josephine Butler College. Normal admission charges apply.
CITY OF DURHAM SHOW
13th-13th September 2026
Venue: Durham Town Hall & Market Place,
Address: DH1 3NJ
Website: www.durhamshow.org.uk
This year sees the return of the City of Durham Show, a much-loved event that is being revived by a group of local residents after a 25 year absence, for local gardeners, crafters, bakers & dog owners...