What’s on in Darlington for spring and summer 2025
Spring and summer in Darlington are always a real highlight, thanks to the jam-packed event calendar. There’s absolutely everything you could possibly want, from events for kids and celebrations for the Stockton & Darlington Railway bicentennial, to festivals and live music. Take a look at this list and start planning your visit!
Railway Pioneers at Hopetown Darlington – Three historical rockstars of the railway are heading to Hopetown Darlington. From Fri 4 April to Sun 22 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/railwaypioneers
Darlington Food Festival – Everyone loves a good food festival and you can sink your teeth into this one from Fri 2 to Mon 5 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 Fri 16 to Sun 18 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. It would be 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 Tues 20 to Sat 24 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 Sat 7 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 Fri 11 July to Sun 5 October 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 on hopetowndarlington.co.uk closer to the exhibition.
Darlington By The Sea – The ever-popular Darlington By The Sea will be returning on Sat 19 to Wed 23 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 Sun 3 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 Sat 9 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 Thurs 21 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 over 30 years, the Rhythm & Tunes Festival has delighted audiences in the town. This ever-popular music event will return on Fri 13 to Sun 15 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.
For more ideas of places to stay, great spots for dining and even more events in the area, visit enjoydarlington.co.uk