Leisure and culture news

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

Two online talks, presented by a Jewish survivor of the Second World War and an expert in military history, will mark Holocaust Memorial Day in County Durham.

Special steam train journeys, exhibitions, parades and arts and theatre events are all being planned to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR), it has been revealed.

Changes to a County Durham archive will mark the beginning of an exciting new era for the service, as it prepares to move to a vibrant new local history centre.

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.

Swimming memberships are a great option if you swim regularly, and don't use the gym or group exercise classes.

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 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.

Foodies can look forward to a weekend of tasty treats and delicious dishes as traders across County Durham and beyond prepare to show off their produce at Bishop Auckland Food Festival.

A free exhibition featuring artwork from veterans and the Armed Forces community officially opened to the public at the weekend.

Tickets are now on sale for a new season of shows at Gala Durham, including the return of the theatre's annual pantomime, a new Christ-mouse musical for families, and lots of familiar faces.

Organisers of a popular County Durham food festival have announced the line-up of celebrity chefs who will be each adding a unique flavour to the weekend.

Young people from The Durham Federation school in Ushaw Moor will produce a major art installation at this year's Lumiere Festival in November.

Library members can record story times with their children through a new free digital storytelling service.

We are running National Pool Lifeguard Qualifications at our leisure centres.

Gala Durham will be going on tour this summer with a family performance to enchant audiences across County Durham.

Three acclaimed authors will be talking about their latest novels in an annual reading event.