family events
Positive local stories, useful developments and people making a difference in family events.
Hopetown’s Haunted Night turns Darlington’s railway museum into an after-hours Halloween playground
Ghost trains, fire performers, a trick-or-treat trail, silent disco and live music are coming to Hopetown Darlington for a family Halloween evening on 30 October.
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Hopetown’s free Steam Festival brings a month of railway heritage to Darlington
Historic locomotives, cab access, live performance and steam rides are part of a month-long S&DR201 celebration at Hopetown Darlington from 5 to 27 September.
Magic and circus skills take over Hartlepool Town Hall for a family Sunday show
Performer Michael Jordan brings Magic & Marvels to Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre on Sunday 27 September, mixing stage magic, juggling and circus skills in an all-ages afternoon show.
Hopetown is turning into Spooktown for a week of ghost trains, trails and Halloween science
Hopetown Darlington’s October half-term programme combines free site activities with separately ticketed science, bushcraft and after-dark events.
ARC’s Halloween Family Fest mixes free crafts, stories and a relaxed theatre show
Families can drop into ARC Stockton for free Halloween activities on 31 October before a relaxed afternoon performance of The Witch Who Couldn’t Sleep.
Redcar’s richest raceday returns with £150,000 Two-Year-Old Trophy and free entry for under-18s
Redcar Racecourse’s biggest meeting of the season takes place on 3 October, with the £150,000 Two-Year-Old Trophy at the centre of the card.
Headland FolkFest spreads three days of music, stories and family activity across Hartlepool
Headland FolkFest runs from 2 to 4 October across several Hartlepool Headland venues, mixing concerts, workshops, literature, dancing and family activity.
Hopetown Comic Con turns Darlington’s railway museum into a Doctor Who playground
Hopetown Darlington is hosting a Doctor Who-themed Comic Con on 3 October, with actors, Daleks, cosplay, traders and family tickets from £3.
Middlesbrough charity challenge invites families to make a splash for local causes
The PFC Trust’s UChangeLives Charity Ice Bucket Challenge returns to Middlesbrough Velodrome on Sunday 6 September, combining fundraising with a family fun day.
Wynyard Planetarium's family star shows return for the 2026/27 season
The family star-show season at Wynyard Planetarium begins on 4 September, combining a planetarium presentation, a guided tour of the night sky and telescope viewing when the weather allows.
Peter Rabbit heads outdoors at Kirkleatham for two Saturday performances
Quantum Theatre is bringing Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny to the grounds of Kirkleatham Museum on Saturday 29 August, with morning and afternoon performances for families.
One fairytale day down, dinosaurs next for Darlington
Darlington’s free summer programme brought storybook characters to the town centre on 20 August, with a Dinosaur Day still to come on Thursday 27 August.