Events Happening in Darlington in 2026

Darlington is no stranger to running great events. Each year, the town hosts numerous events and activities for all age-groups. We’ve recently just concluded our year-long celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Although our fantastic railway museum, Hopetown, is open all year round to learn about Darlington’s railway history.

But when one celebration ends, another several begin! We have many exciting events happening throughout 2026. Continue reading on to find out about the biggest events coming to Darlington over the next few months.

Proms In The Park (July 5)

Proms In The Park takes place every year, in Darlington’s South Park. The musical event is held form 3pm to 7pm and is set to be held at the famous bandstand in the park. Tickets are not required; however, those who attend are encouraged to donate to the Army Benevolent Fund whilst there. It’s also important to remember that this event does gather a large traction, so arrive early to secure the best spots.

Darlington By The Sea (July 18 to July 26)

Enjoy Darlington By The Sea for a whole week this summer, for free! We’re bringing the beach to you, right in the heart of Darlington town centre along with (hopefully) nine days of pure sunshine. The Market Square will be home to a giant sandpit and there will be several activities to join in with, such as balloon modelling and face painting.

Darlington 10k, 5k, Junior 3k and Family Fun Run (August 2)

Darlington is the place to be for runners on August 2! There are four races taking place over the course of the day. There is a 10k and a 5k happening in and around the town centre for adult runners. For those who are slightly younger but still keen runners, there is the Junior 3k. There is also a Family Fun Run happening to kickstart the day.

Darlington Pride (August 8)

Pride celebrations will be returning to Darlington this summer and is an all-inclusive event. The day will begin at 11am with a march through the town centre, followed by a day packed of festivities. There will be a variety of live music, local business stalls, street theatre plus food and drink.

Misfits Mega Weekend (August 15 to August 16)

The Misfit Market comes to Darlington every month, but this is a chance to get involved for a whole weekend. The alternative market will be held in the town centre with stalls offering all sorts of weird and wonderful items. This is a great chance to grab art, accessories, clothing, collectibles and much more.

Legends & Fairy Tales (August 20)

An event made for all the Kingdom to attend! Head to Darlington town centre to enjoy a wonderful live theatre production, meet some of your favourite characters and delight in games throughout the day. Remember to dress to impress!

Darlington Restaurant Week (October 24 to October 30)

Restaurant Week is back this October in Darlington! This biannual event enables you to indulge in your favourite meals for less. It is also a fantastic opportunity to try and explore more restaurants in our bustling town.

Christmas Light Switch On (November 15)

It’s never too soon to start thinking about Christmas! The annual Christmas light switch on will be happening in the Market Square on November 15. The event will begin at 4pm, with live music and special guests, with the lights being switched on at 5:30pm.

Ice Sculpture Trail (December 12)

The Ice Sculpture Trail is due to be happening around the town centre in the middle of December, just in time to chime in with the Christmas excitement. Ice sculptures will be able to be spotted at key locations throughout the town centre. Keep your eyes peeled for further information about this event!

This is just a snippet into the events we have planned in Darlington for 2026, there are several more exciting things happening. If you’d like to see our full list of events, then take a look at our website.