What's On in Darlington this Spring and Summer
Spring and summer in Darlington are always a real highlight, thanks to a jam-packed event calendar
Railway Pioneers at Hopetown Darlington
Three historical rockstars of the railway are heading to Hopetown Darlington. Until Sunday 22nd June, you can see the original Locomotion No 1, the Pen-y-Darren and Steam Elephant together under one roof. This is a free exhibition as part of the S&DR200 celebrations with the trains loaned from National Railway Museum, Beamish, Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales and IMechE. Book your tickets at hopetowndarlington.co.uk
Darlington Food Festival
Everyone loves a good food festival and you can sink your teeth into this one from Friday 2nd to Monday 5th May, making for a very tasty Bank Holiday weekend. The town centre will be bursting with an array of stalls offering everything from baked goods to artisan alcohol.
GrooveFest 25
From Friday 16th to Sunday 18th May, Darlington will play host to a weekend of disco, soul and Motown music. Across the town centre, there’ll be a number of artists and DJs playing in a range of venues. A great way to spend a couple of days in the area!
Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical at the Darlington Hippodrome
Following sell-out seasons in London and New York, the brand-new smash hit musical is coming to Darlington from Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th May. Based on the iconic film and inspired by 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses', it’s packed with ‘90s pop classics including the songs of Britney Spears, The Verve, *NSYNC and many more! Book tickets now at darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Darlington Eco Fair
Want to learn more about living a sustainable and eco-friendly life? Come and explore the Eco Fair on Saturday 7th June, where you can see how you impact the future of the world we live, work and play in. Expect science, nature and craft activities, specialists with information stands and plenty of stalls selling environmentally-friendly products.
STEAM to the Future at Hopetown Darlington
This free exhibition will be at Hopetown Darlington from Friday 11th July to Sunday 5th October and will reflect on the history of steam railways and how the rail industry is gearing up for a second revolution, driven by the growing green technologies sector in Teesside. It will feature an immersive installation by A.A.Murakami (AKA Studio Swine), inspired by steam as a source of power, and the chance to create a train for the 22nd century using virtual reality software. Tickets will be available to book at hopetowndarlington.co.uk closer to the exhibition.
Darlington By The Sea
The ever-popular Darlington By The Sea will be returning on Saturday 19th to Wednesday 23rd July for five days of sun, sea and sand in the town centre. From 11am to 5pm each day, families can enjoy free sandcastle building in a giant sandpit, face painting, activities, and lots of fun and games.
Darlington 10K
Are you a keen runner? If so, you might want to take a look at the Darlington 10K on Sunday 3rd August. This is a popular annual race and provides the perfect opportunity to try and beat your PB. There’ll also be the Family Fun Run and Junior 3K. Sign up at enjoydarlington.co.uk/10k
Darlington Pride
The town’s Pride event has been compared to the likes of Manchester Pride in the past! On Saturday 9th August, the town will be painted in all shades of the rainbow to create an inclusive and accessible event with live music, fun activities and informative resources. Whether you’re looking to learn, connect or celebrate love and equality, there’s something for everyone.
Fairy Tales & Legends Day
By royal command, you are invited to be part of Fairy Tales & Legends Day on Thursday 21st August. You can dress to impress, meet your favourite characters, enjoy activities and play in the Market Square, and so much more. This is always such a fun event for the whole family!
Rhythm & Tunes Festival
For more than 30 years, the Rhythm & Tunes Festival has delighted audiences in the town. This ever-popular music event will return from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September with a huge schedule of live bands over the weekend. It’s totally free to attend too, so another great option if you fancy a weekend in the area.
