Enjoy a year of exciting events at Beamish, the living museum of the North 

Look forward to an action-packed 2026 as Beamish, The Living Museum of the North announces its exciting programme of events lined up throughout the year.

With the Beamish Unlimited Pass, visitors to the award-winning County Durham open air museum can pay once and spend a whole year exploring the past, with daytime events included.

Warm up your winter weekends with a trip to the Beamish Pantomime. The Beamish Amateur Dramatic Society is taking to the stage in the 1950s welfare hall to perform Dick Whittington and his Cat each Saturday and Sunday until 8th February (pre-booking required, small extra charge applies).

From 14th February to 1st March, enjoy a whole host of February Half Term fun, as the museum looks at Canny Creations: Wonderful Inventions from the North East.

Museum visitors will be invited to take part in International Women’s Day celebrations on 7^th and 8^th March, and also enjoy a wonderful day out for Mothering Sunday, 15^th March.

Discover how Easter was celebrated in the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s with a whole host of egg-citing activities from 3^rd to 19^th April. Trot along to Beamish Museum on 25^th and 26^th April for Horses in Harness,

2026 marks the 100^th anniversary of the 1926 Lock Out and General Strike, the museum will be marking the centenary from 1^st to 12^th May. Experience traditional May Day celebrations 3^rd and 4^th May.

It’s full steam ahead from 23^rd to 31^st May as the museum hosts its Festival of Transport event featuring a variety of visiting vehicles as well as the museum’s own transport.

On 21^st June, the North of England Classic & Pre-War Automobiles Club will hold a fantastic display of classic cars, visitors can watch the start and finish of the 53^rd Beamish Reliability Run and listen to a number of brass bands compete in the annual Brass at Beamish competition.

Attend the Mini Miners’ Gathering in The 1900s Pit Village on 4^th and 5^th July, part of the General Strike centenary, plus watch the World Quoits Championships take place in The 1900s Pit Village on 4^th and 5^th July. See marvellous Meccano creations at an exhibition on 11^th and 12^th July.

There’ll be a whole summer of fun family activities taking place around the museum from 18th July to 31st August.

Marvel at the skills on show during the Attelage weekend as the Concours d’International d’Attelage de Tradition (CIAT) hosts its annual carriage driving competition on 18^th and 19^th July.

The museum will be welcoming the North East Horticultural Society for the annual Horticultural Show on 5^th and 6^th September. Green fingered visitors are invited to enter their homegrown produce for the chance to win prizes.

The 1820s Landscape will be buzzing with the hustle and bustle of a Georgian Gathering on 19^th and 20^th September and visitors will be able to experience traditional Harvest Celebrations on 3^rd and 4^th October, as well as commemorate those who have lost their lives in conflict during Remembrance Sunday on 8^th November.

Visitors will once again be able to enjoy fabulously festive Christmas celebrations at the award-winning museum from 21^st November up until Christmas Eve.

Paul Foster, Events Manager at Beamish Museum, said: “From firm family favourites such as Easter celebrations and the Festival of Transport, to new events and activities such as the Centenary of the General Strike, there’s certainly lots to look forward to in 2026!

“We can’t wait to welcome visitors across the year to enjoy our action-packed events programme.”

Daytime events are included in museum admission and are free to Beamish Unlimited Pass holders and Friends of Beamish members, pay once and visit free for a year.

As well as exciting events, visitors can travel through time to discover the story of life in the 1820s, early 1900s, 1940s and 1950s, as they experience the unforgettable sights, sounds, smells and delicious tastes of the past. Visitors can stroll through the stunning 1820s Landscape and sample Georgian delights at the Drovers Tavern, take an underground tour of a coal mine in The 1900s Pit Village, brave a visit to the dentist in The 1900s Town and have their photograph taken in the Edwardian photographers’ studio (extra charge applies). People can also meet the 1940s Land Girls and Home Guard, take a trip to the 1950s cinema and toy shop, explore the 1950s Farm and so much more!

Beamish is the North East’s most visited attraction and was awarded Art Fund Museum of the Year 2025, the world’s largest museum prize.

For full event listings, opening times and ticket information, visit www.beamish.org.uk.