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...
BROOMSTICK & MAGIC TRICKS TRAIL
17th October-1st November 2026
Time: 11am-4pm
Venue: Washington Old Hall NT
Address: NE38 7LE.
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/washington-old-hall
Embrace the spooky season & dive into a world of witches this October Half Term by setting off on a magical, self-led family adventure through the historic hall, where curious minds can discover mysterious...
THE TRAFALGAR FLAG OF LORD COLLINGWOOD
17th October-1st November 2026
Venue: Discovery Museum
Address: Blandford Square, NE1 4JA
Website: www.discoverymuseum.org.uk
Be the first in the country to see the battle-scarred hand-sewn Union flag, created & flown on board HMS Royal Sovereign, the flagship of Newcastle-born Vice-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood at the Battle...
WELLIES, WILDLIFE & AUTUMN FUN TRAIL
17th October-8th November 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Venue: Crook Hall & Gardens,
Address: Frankland Lane, DH1 5SZ
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/crook-hall-gardens
Autumn has arrived! Leaves are falling, and the gardens are changing from bright green to lovely gold, orange, and brown. On this self-led trail, see who can throw a wellie the furthest, spot different...
GREGGS TA-PASTRY
24th October-17th January 2027
Venue: Great North Museum
Address: Barras Bridge, NE2 4PT
Website: www.greatnorthmuseum.org.uk
This eight-metre-long embroidery chronicles the conquest of the British high street by Greggs' most treasured (& tasty) artefacts, inviting you to look closer at the legacy that lives behind your everyday...
SUPER NATURAL OCTOBER HALF TERM
24th October-1st November 2026
Venue: WWT Washington Wetlands Centre
Address: NE38 8LE
Website: www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/washington
Enjoy a fun-filled Halloween, bubbling over with magical activities for the whole family this October half-term at WWT Washington. Escape the ghouls & goblins, & step into a super natural adventure through...
SPOOKY OCTOBER HALF TERM
26th October-1st November 2026
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
See huge moving dinosaurs during the spookiest time of the year, create a skeleton puppet to hang in your home, experience a 360 degree immersive dome show "Bump in the Night" & much more included in your...
THE MACKEM MARKET
30th October-13th November 2026
Time: 10am-2pm
Venue: Sunderland Train Station,
Address: SR1 3HP
Discover a vibrant new market featuring the finest local market stalls, unique goods, live paintings by local artists, & performances by Sunderland's most promising musicians every Friday from 10am-2pm.
SEAHAM FIREWORKS DISPLAY
1st-1st November 2026
Time: 5-9pm
Venue: Seaham Seafront,
Address: SR7 7AB
Website: www.seaham.gov.uk
Back by popular demand the fantastic free Seaham Town Council Fireworks Display takes place on a Sunday to make it easier to plan your visit. Event opens 5-9pm. Fireworks 6.30pm.
BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL
4th-28th November 2026
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
Set in a northern town during the miners’ strike of 1984/5, the show follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class, where he discovers a passion for dance that will change his life...
AZRA GLOW
7th-7th November 2026
Time: 11am & 2pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/
Azra Glow is an illuminated circus & dance adventure inspired the books of Risaria Langley. The story follows Azra as she discovers a dragon’s egg & begins a journey to awaken it through light, movement,...
FESTIVAL OF FIREWORKS 2026
7th-7th November 2026
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Banks Home Riverside
Address: Chester-le-Street, DH3 3QR
Website: www.tickets.durhamcricket.co.uk/content
A night full of sparkle & fun at the Festival of Fireworks brought to you by Durham Cricket & Chester-le-Street Cricket Club, with support from Everyone Active - it’s more than just fireworks! Enjoy...
OUTDOOR ICE SKATING
7th November-3rd January 2027
Venue: Life Science Centre
Address: Times Square, NE1 4EP
Website: www.life.org.uk
Life’s outdoor ice rink is an established part of Newcastle’s festive calendar & reopens from Saturday 7 November 2026. Skating sessions last approximately one hour (includes time to fit skates, so...
RED ROBIN'S WINTER SONG
14th-14th November 2026
Time: 2pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/
Step into a twinkling, snow-dusted world with Red Robin’s Winter Song – a gentle & joy-filled winter play perfect for young children & their families. A small but brave Red Robin chooses to stay...
CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON
19th-19th November 2026
Time: 6-8pm
Venue: Keel Square,
Address: Sunderland, SR1 3LH
Website: www.mysunderland.co.uk/article/41481/Christmas-Light-Switch-On
Christmas in Sunderland starts here. Pop along to Keel Square for the annual Christmas Light Switch on. More details online.
RAPUNZEL
19th November-31st December 2026
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.
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...
BEAUTY & THE BEAST
27th November-31st December 2026
Venue: Empire Theatre Consett
Address: DH8 5AB
Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/
Leah Bell & company return with a tale as old as pantomime – Beauty & the Beast. When the selfish Prince Rafael is transformed into a hideous Beast, only his most loyal staff stand by him. The prince...
THE SNOWMAN (with Live Orchestra)
5th-5th December 2026
Time: 1.30pm, 3.30pm & 7pm
Venue: Durham Cathedral
Address: The College, DH1 3EH
Website: www.carrotproductions.com
Make Christmas unforgettable with a screening of the much-loved The Snowman on the big screen at Durham Cathedral, with its soundtrack performed live by an orchestra. Presented by Carrot Productions, this...
THE ELVES & THE SHOEMAKER
8th-24th December 2026
Venue: Gala Theatre Durham,
Address: DH1 1WA
Website: www.galadurham.co.uk.
Step into The Gala's sole-ful festive production that’s the perfect fit for families! Suzie Shoes runs a shoe shop, but she has a problem…she’s just not very good at making shoes. In need of help...
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN: THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN HOOK
11th December-3rd January 2027
Venue: Sunderland Empire
Address: SR1 3EX
Website: http://sunderlandempire.net.
Life has been smooth sailing for Peter Pan since he defeated Captain Hook... or so he thought. Whispers are spreading that the notorious Hook survived those stormy seas & is out for revenge. Could it be...
THE LITTLEST ELF
11th-11th December 2026
Time: 10.30am & 1pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/
Pip is a tiny elf with big dreams. Slower than the other elves & never quite perfect, she dreams of seeing a toy she has made delivered on Christmas Day. Set in Santa’s workshop, this magical show combines...
THE JINGLE GENERATOR JAM SHOW
12th-12th December 2026
Time: 11am & 2pm
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/
It’s a Christmas emergency at the North Pole! Somehow, the Jingle Generator has jammed, & Christmas spirit is fading fast! Santa’s right-hand elves, mischievous Tinsel Tally & stoney Agent Frostbite are...
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
16th-17th December 2026
Venue: Arts Centre Washington,
Address: NE38 8AB
Website: www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/our-venues/arts-centre-washington/whats-on/
It’s Christmas Eve, & the miserly misanthrope, Ebenezer Scrooge, is about to have a ghostly night he’ll never forget. An evening of mistletoe & merriment in the company of Marley, Fezziwig, & Cratchit...
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
20th-24th December 2026
Venue: Empire Theatre Consett
Address: DH8 5AB
Website: www.empireconsett.co.uk/
Enjoy breakfast with Father Christmas where young ones can receive a present & enjoy a light breakfast of toast & pastries with juice or water. Accompanying adults will also be provided with light breakfast...