A summer of fun is being lined up for Darlington town centre

A wide variety of events will take place throughout the town during the school holidays with one of the highlights being the transformation of the Market Square into Darlington by the Sea.

Buckets and spades will be at the ready from, Thursday, July 25 until Saturday 27, for visitors to enjoy some seaside fun in the sun.

• Firm behind Darlington's Indoor Market responds to stall holder criticism

Other highlights include the annual Summer Reading Challenge, Romans at the Railway, the Darlington 10k and the British Town Crier Championship.

Last year's Darlington by the Sea event

Cllr Paul Howell, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for leisure and the local environment, said: “Our events team and town centre partners have worked hard to put together a packed programme of events that promises to be out of this world, with space-themed activities and a terrific summer of sound for everyone to enjoy.

“There’s also plenty to do for the more active among us, not least our popular series of cycle rides. I’ll be one of the many runners taking part in this year’s SG Petch Darlington 10k and will be joining in the fun at as many of the events as I can – do say hi if you see me.

“With so many events going on this summer you won’t be bored here in Darlington, which has everything you need including shops, cafes and bars, right here on your doorstop.”

Tracy Millmore first woman in last year's Darlington 10k

Other library events taking place the town's libraries include Fun with Lego, Space Chase Arts and Crats, Scrap Junk Challenge, Bear’s Adventures, Superheroes show, mind boggling magic with Tom Rolfe, Princess party Toy Story fun and games, stop animation workshops and Harry Potter Day.

The Head of Steam’s summer programme features a host of events from All the fun of the fair on Sunday, July 21, 10am-4pm. There will also be activities on offer throughout the summer holidays including Romans at the Railway Museum, crafts from around the world, crazy creatures, Acorn Antics, circus skills workshop, jewellery and model making and Time Travel Tuesdays.

The museum is also playing host to two special exhibitions over the summer – the Moon Exhibition, which runs until August 26, and Play and Display: Paper and Card Toys Exhibition, open until September 1.

There will also be a lot to shout about when the town will play host to the British Town Crier Championship on Saturday, August 3 between 11am-3pm.

And sports fans can saddle up for the latest in the series of cycle rides – The Castles Ride – on Sunday, August 4, and thousands of runners will take to the streets for the annual SG Petch Darlington 10K on Sunday, August 11. There will also be the Darlington Junior 3K for ages 8-14-year-olds along with a family fun run for all ages. Further details and how to enter can be found at

The town's first ever Drum Festival also takes to the streets on Friday, August 16, 11am-7pm, with live performances, drum circles and workshops offering you the chance to give it a try.

For full details of the summer programme visit