Festival and event news

Families can enjoy free fun activities this weekend in Bishop Auckland, Chester-le-Street and Barnard Castle as touring festivals make their final stop offs at another three locations.

County Durham is now a step closer to being named UK City of Culture 2025 and securing the colossal social and economic benefits this would bring.

From deliciously-decorated donuts to flavourful street food, traders from County Durham and beyond are preparing to show off their specialities at this year's Bishop Auckland Food Festival.

Touring festivals making their way across County Durham will stop in two more towns this weekend.

With six weeks to go until Bishop Auckland Food Festival, organisers are excited to announce the final celebrity chef making up the weekend's line up.

Market places in Crook, Ferryhill and Durham City will become hubs of festival activity as part of a series of free events across County Durham.

Circus acts, face painting, crafts and festival activities will be taking place across the streets of County Durham this month.

Learn how to make focaccia and fruit crumble with a Bake Off star or enjoy a three-course dining experience from a celebrity chef as part of the special events taking place at this year's Bishop Auckland Food Festival.

Visitors to one of County Durham's historic parks will have the chance to experience a one-night-only art installation event.

One of the North East's most popular food festivals has announced its first line up of celebrity chefs, as organisers prepare to welcome foodies back to Bishop Auckland this spring.

Communities and venues across County Durham are preparing to ring in the Year of the Tiger with a host of traditional events and activities.

Organisers at a County Durham theatre have hailed the success of its recent Christmas pantomime, and are already looking forward to entertaining audiences once again next December.

Those wanting to uncover the secrets of their family history can find out how to get started with the return of a series of popular online courses.

With pantomime season in full swing, two County Durham theatre venues are providing accessible performances of their Christmas shows, so that all audiences can share in the festive fun.

Swashbuckling sword fights, hidden treasure, and an adventure on the high seas await audiences who are going to a County Durham theatre's Christmas panto this year.

Young audiences can help three mice save a little girl's Christmas, as a children's festive show takes to the stage in County Durham from next month.

Families can take a trip through 'Sherburn Forest' to find a heroic outlaw and his band of merry men and women, as a County Durham venue's annual festive panto returns to the stage.

With excitement for Lumiere building, volunteers are needed to help make the magic happen.

With just days to go until Bishop Auckland Food Festival, visitors are being encouraged to plan their journey ahead of the weekend.

News the BBC is to make its biggest investment in the North East in decades has been welcomed by the partnership spearheading County Durham's Bid to be UK City of Culture 2025.