Leisure and culture news

Talented up and coming musicians from the North East are being given the chance to headline at a County Durham music festival.

Celebrate 70 years of James Bond, sing along to big Broadway numbers, and enjoy some of the biggest movie scores live in three exciting events at Durham Brass Festival.

Whether you want to have better health, better fitness, better energy levels, better connections (or all of the above!) it's time to make change happen and start working towards a better you. We are here to support you to make positive changes to your lifestyle this Spring. We know that change can sometimes be a little daunting, but our friendly staff are here to help you every step of the way.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Bishop Auckland Town Hall with a classic pantomime, festive award-winning folk music and screenings of a festive favourite this December.

Fans of the popular Horrible Histories series will have the chance to meet its author at a spooky theatre production this half term.

The tenth annual Gordon Burn Prize was awarded at Durham Book Festival to a writer whose unflinching work of narrative non-fiction blurs genres and form to understand terror, trauma and grief. The winning title is Aftermath by Preti Taneja (And Other Stories, 2022).

Colourful artworks created by young adults who need additional support have gone on show as part of a free exhibition.

Residents are being given the chance to help shape the future of the swimming pool programme at leisure centres across County Durham.

Members of the public are being encouraged to explore dozens of cultural attractions in County Durham free of charge this month.

Talented young actors are set to take to the stage as a hit film is adapted for Gala Durham.

County Durham is set for a tourism boost as the internationally broadcast AJ Bell Tour of Britain cycle race comes to the region next month.

The annual literary festival returns this October with headline guests including LJ Ross, Jeremy Vine, Fiona Hill, Richard O'Neill and the announcement of the Gordon Burn Prize.

With just days left to go until Seaham Food Festival, organisers are reminding festival goers to plan their journey before they travel.

Members of the public are being asked to answer a call to appear in the upcoming stage production of Brassed Off at Gala Durham.

An award-winning chef at a County Durham spa and hotel will be showcasing the best of local produce at Seaham Food Festival.

In just five weeks' time, a County Durham seaside town will come to life with a scrumptious selection of food vendors and entertainment.

Rehearsals are now well underway for the return of Durham BRASS in just over two weeks.

The return of this year's BRASS festival will champion the talent of local artists alongside world-famous brass musicians.

Two celebrity chefs born and bred in the North East have been confirmed as the final additions to a star-studded line-up for Seaham Food Festival.

County Durham residents who took part in a photography project to show what life was like in lockdown will see the results of their work for the first time.