Paper town
People enjoying a light installation at Lumiere 2021
Children playing on illuminated path
Green sign illumination
Children on illuminated bench
Child and adult looking at neon sign
Child looking at stick figure lights
Durham Cathedral from the river

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Durham.
No Ordinary County.

Durham is one of eight areas longlisted to be UK City of Culture 2025

Find out more about Our Vision.

Durham 2025 UK City of Culture Bid logo

Transcript - City of Culture PDF [82 KB]

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Theres just over a month until spring arrives, along with an amazing line up of springtime events. From Bishop Auckland Food Festival and the Durham Regatta , to World Heritage Day celebrations, exciting exhibitions and live performances, which spring event are you most looking forward to? View spring events highlights 👉 https://bit.ly/TiDSpevents #durham2025Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

There's just over a month until spring arrives, along with an amazing line up of springtime events. From Bishop Auckland Food Festival and the Durham Regatta , to World Heritage Day celebrations, exciting exhibitions and live performances, which spring event are you most looking forward to? View spring events highlights 👉 #durham2025 ... See MoreSee Less

10 hours ago
Have you had your say on these plans for a new collection building at Locomotion? #durham2025

Have you had your say on these plans for a new collection building at Locomotion?#durham2025Visitors and the public are invited to have their say on plans for a new £5.9m collection building at Locomotion at a free exhibition being displayed this month. Find out more: https://locomotion.org.uk/about-us/press-office/…; ... See MoreSee Less

11 hours ago
This is Durham... This is for you

Durham is no ordinary county! Home to breathtaking landscapes, outstanding cultural attractions, world-first heritage, spectacular events, and more!Come and see for yourself in 2022, with a staycation in Durham #durham2025 #thisisdurham #thisisforyou ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago

The Bowes Museum is getting ready for its next exciting exhibition.Regeneration has been produced by international award-winning Northern artist Martin Kinnear in response to the COVID pandemic, and opens on 22 January. Will you be visiting? ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago
What makes Durham no ordinary county? #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 🙌 From the friendliness and resilience of our communities to the spectacular scenery and wildlife, our county is unique in so many ways! 😍 What makes Durham special to you? www.durham2025.co.uk

What makes Durham no ordinary county? #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 🙌From the friendliness and resilience of our communities to the spectacular scenery and wildlife, our county is unique in so many ways! 😍What makes Durham special to you? ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago
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Durham 2025

9h

Spring will soon arrive along with an amazing line up of events. From @BishFoodFest and @DurhamRegatta, to World Heritage Day celebrations, exciting exhibitions and live performances, which spring event are you most looking forward to? https://bit.ly/TiDSpevents #durham2025

Spring will soon arrive along with an amazing line up of events. From @BishFoodFest and @DurhamRegatta, to World Heritage Day celebrations, exciting exhibitions and live performances, which spring event are you most looking forward to? https://bit.ly/TiDSpevents #durham2025

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Durham 2025

11h

A great example from @ushawdurham of the positive effect arts and culture can have on health and wellbeing. #durham2025

@ushawdurham
@ushawdurham1d

On Wednesday 19th & 26th January take the opportunity to relax, slow down and focus on a simple colouring activity with 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 🎨

Discover 𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 ‘𝟮𝟮 here: http://ushaw.org/whatson/try-something-new-in-22/

#Ushawesome #NewIn22

On Wednesday 19th & 26th January take the opportunity to relax, slow down and focus on a simple colouring activity with 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 🎨 Discover 𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗼𝗿 ‘𝟮𝟮 here: http://ushaw.org/whatson/try-something-new-in-22/ #Ushawesome #NewIn22 Lightbox link for post with description On Wednesday 19th & 26th January take the...
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Durham 2025

11h

Another stunning photo of #CountyDurham from our partners @ushawdurham. Why not share yours with the hashtag #durham2025 and help back our bid to become #CityofCulture2025

@ushawdurham
@ushawdurham12h

It’s a 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐲 morning here at Ushaw! ❄️

#Ushawesome #Winter #Frost

It’s a 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐲 morning here at Ushaw! ❄️ #Ushawesome #Winter #Frost Lightbox link for post with description It’s a 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐲 morning here at...
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Durham_2025 Retweeted
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Locomotion

11h

Visitors and the public are invited to have their say on plans for a new £5.9m collection building at Locomotion at a free exhibition being displayed this month. Find out more: https://t.co/BtdgCymTk5

Visitors and the public are invited to have their say on plans for a new £5.9m collection building at Locomotion at a free exhibition being displayed this month.

Find out more: https://t.co/BtdgCymTk5

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Account avatar for Durham 2025

Durham 2025

1d

Durham is no ordinary county! Home to breath-taking landscapes, outstanding cultural attractions, world-first heritage, spectacular events, and more! Come and see for yourself in 2022, with a staycation in Durham. #durham2025 #thisisdurham #thisisforyou

Durham is no ordinary county! Home to breath-taking landscapes, outstanding cultural attractions, world-first heritage, spectacular events, and more!

Come and see for yourself in 2022, with a staycation in Durham. #durham2025 #thisisdurham #thisisforyou

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Nov 26

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What do you think Durham’s best kept secret is? 😍 No one knows our county better than the people who live here. That’s why @thisisdurham asked residents to share with them what they love about our amazing county. If you’re planning on getting out and about this weekend, take a look at some of the suggestions Loved by Locals, to uncover some of Durham’s hidden gems. https://www.thisisdurham.com/lovedbylocals #LovebyLocals #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #countydurham #visitcountydurham

What do you think Durham’s best kept secret is? 😍

No one knows our county better than the people who live here. That’s why @thisisdurham asked residents to share with them what they love about our amazing county.

If you’re planning on getting out and about this weekend, take a look at some of the suggestions Loved by Locals, to uncover some of Durham’s hidden gems.
https://www.thisisdurham.com/lovedbylocals

#LovebyLocals #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #countydurham #visitcountydurham ...

durham2025_

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Nov 26

Open
📢 Calling County Durham creatives! Applications for the @culturebridgenortheast (CBNE) fund are now open. The CBNE fund provides grants of up to £1,500 to support collaborations between education and youth settings, arts practitioners and cultural organisations anywhere in the North East. Priority is given to projects which improve access to high quality arts provision for those who would otherwise face barriers to taking part. This inclusive approach is key to our UK #CityofCulture2025 bid, creating more opportunities for people to experience the many benefits of engaging in arts and culture. #Durham2025 📷 Culture Bridge North East Full details: https://culturebridgenortheast.org.uk/cbne-fund #culture #art #education #inclusivearts #accessiblearts

📢 Calling County Durham creatives!

Applications for the @culturebridgenortheast (CBNE) fund are now open.

The CBNE fund provides grants of up to £1,500 to support collaborations between education and youth settings, arts practitioners and cultural organisations anywhere in the North East. Priority is given to projects which improve access to high quality arts provision for those who would otherwise face barriers to taking part.

This inclusive approach is key to our UK #CityofCulture2025 bid, creating more opportunities for people to experience the many benefits of engaging in arts and culture. #Durham2025

📷 Culture Bridge North East

Full details: https://culturebridgenortheast.org.uk/cbne-fund

#culture #art #education #inclusivearts #accessiblearts ...

durham2025_

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Nov 25

Open
Is your house already fully decked-out are you waiting for December to put your tree up? 🎄 When’s the right date to put up your Christmas lights? In Durham City, we think Sunday 28 November is the perfect day! 🎉 Join @durhambid in Durham Market Place from 5.30pm for the big Christmas Lights Switch On. There’ll be swinging live music from Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists The Soldiers of Swing, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes! And Cbeebies favourites Andy Day and Alex Winters will be there too, with festive fun for all the family. #christmas #christmastlightswitchon #durhamchristmaslights #countydurham #durhamcity #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025

Is your house already fully decked-out are you waiting for December to put your tree up? 🎄

When’s the right date to put up your Christmas lights? In Durham City, we think Sunday 28 November is the perfect day! 🎉

Join @durhambid in Durham Market Place from 5.30pm for the big Christmas Lights Switch On.

There’ll be swinging live music from Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists The Soldiers of Swing, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes!

And Cbeebies favourites Andy Day and Alex Winters will be there too, with festive fun for all the family.

#christmas #christmastlightswitchon #durhamchristmaslights #countydurham #durhamcity #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 ...

durham2025_

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Nov 23

Open
Were you one of thousands who enjoyed the magic of #LumiereDurham this weekend? ✨ Produced by creative company @artichoketrust and commissioned by @durham_county_council with additional support from @aceagrams and @durhamuniversity, this was the most ambitious Lumiere yet. For the first time since it began in 2009, the festival linked the city and wider county through six bold commissions that transformed significant landmarks across County Durham - from the Apollo Pavilion at Peterlee, to @rabycastleofficial at Staindrop. This reflects our bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which we want to secure for the entire county! #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 Find out more on our news page: https://durham2025.co.uk/news_post/tens-of-thousands-attend-lumiere-2021/ #fesitval #lightfestival #culture #countydurham #art #artwork #creative

Were you one of thousands who enjoyed the magic of #LumiereDurham this weekend? ✨
Produced by creative company @artichoketrust and commissioned by @durham_county_council with additional support from @aceagrams and @durhamuniversity, this was the most ambitious Lumiere yet.

For the first time since it began in 2009, the festival linked the city and wider county through six bold commissions that transformed significant landmarks across County Durham - from the Apollo Pavilion at Peterlee, to @rabycastleofficial at Staindrop.

This reflects our bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which we want to secure for the entire county! #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025

Find out more on our news page: https://durham2025.co.uk/news_post/tens-of-thousands-attend-lumiere-2021/

#fesitval #lightfestival #culture #countydurham #art #artwork #creative ...

durham2025_

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Nov 20

Open
Visiting #Lumiere Durham this weekend? Check out Invisible Hearts by County Durham's very own Steph Whalen. This is a stunning artwork with an important message. Each of the glowing green hearts symbolises the one person in every six with a hidden disability. Invisible Hearts is one of 37 inspirational light installations at #LumiereDurham and one of six BRILLIANT winners - a competition that gives people an opportunity to see their creative visions realised at the festival. Lumiere runs until Sunday 21 November - don't miss out on the magic! #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #lightfestival @artichoketrust Photo by @matthewbandrews

Visiting #Lumiere Durham this weekend? Check out Invisible Hearts by County Durham's very own Steph Whalen. This is a stunning artwork with an important message. Each of the glowing green hearts symbolises the one person in every six with a hidden disability.

Invisible Hearts is one of 37 inspirational light installations at #LumiereDurham and one of six BRILLIANT winners - a competition that gives people an opportunity to see their creative visions realised at the festival.

Lumiere runs until Sunday 21 November - don't miss out on the magic! #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #lightfestival @artichoketrust
Photo by @matthewbandrews ...

durham2025_

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Nov 19

Open
We've waited a long time to hug people. Rediscover exchanging greetings, hugging and shaking hands at Clayport Library as part of #LumiereDurham #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025

We've waited a long time to hug people. Rediscover exchanging greetings, hugging and shaking hands at Clayport Library as part of #LumiereDurham
#Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 ...

durham2025_

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Nov 19

Open
More than 12,000 people from across County Durham have helped to make Lumiere happen since the UKs leading light festival began in 2009. ✨ This year alone, Lumiere is working with community groups including school children, mental health service users, veterans an young carers through creative projects. This includes 685 individuals, 25 schools and six BRILLIANT artists. This community focused approach is also at the heart of our bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which aims to build on the success of events like Lumiere to create even more opportunities for people to engage in the arts. To find out more, visit our news page: https://durham2025.co.uk/news_post/lumiere-learning-and-participation/ #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #LumiereDurham #CountyDurham

More than 12,000 people from across County Durham have helped to make Lumiere happen since the UKs leading light festival began in 2009. ✨

This year alone, Lumiere is working with community groups including school children, mental health service users, veterans an young carers through creative projects. This includes 685 individuals, 25 schools and six BRILLIANT artists.

This community focused approach is also at the heart of our bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which aims to build on the success of events like Lumiere to create even more opportunities for people to engage in the arts.

To find out more, visit our news page: https://durham2025.co.uk/news_post/lumiere-learning-and-participation/
#Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #LumiereDurham #CountyDurham ...

durham2025_

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Nov 17

Open
1 DAY TO GO! #LumiereDurham✨ The wait is almost over! The UK's largest light festival is back tomorrow - who's coming to the festival for opening night? Lumiere is a HUGE event in Durham's culture calendar, lighting up the city and county for four incredible nights for residents and visitors to enjoy! 🤩 Find out everything you need to know - from getting there to programme info - at https://www.durham.gov.uk/lumiere #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #Lumiere #lightfestival #culture #countydurham

1 DAY TO GO! #LumiereDurham✨
The wait is almost over! The UK's largest light festival is back tomorrow - who's coming to the festival for opening night?

Lumiere is a HUGE event in Durham's culture calendar, lighting up the city and county for four incredible nights for residents and visitors to enjoy! 🤩

Find out everything you need to know - from getting there to programme info - at https://www.durham.gov.uk/lumiere #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #Lumiere #lightfestival #culture #countydurham ...

durham2025_

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Nov 16

Open
Today marks 20 years since Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone first hit our screens! 🧙🎞️ To celebrate, @thisisdurham has created 'A muggle's guide to North East Harry Potter filming locations', which of course includes @durhamcathedral! Wands at the ready! ✨ Time to unlock some movie magic - Alohomora! 👉 https://www.thisisdurham.com/blog/read/2021/11/a-muggles-guide-to-north-east-harry-potter-filming-locations-b365 #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #harrypotter20thanniversary #HarryPotter #durhamcathedral

Today marks 20 years since Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone first hit our screens! 🧙🎞️ To celebrate, @thisisdurham has created 'A muggle's guide to North East Harry Potter filming locations', which of course includes @durhamcathedral!

Wands at the ready! ✨ Time to unlock some movie magic - Alohomora!
👉 https://www.thisisdurham.com/blog/read/2021/11/a-muggles-guide-to-north-east-harry-potter-filming-locations-b365

#Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 #harrypotter20thanniversary #HarryPotter #durhamcathedral ...

durham2025_

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Nov 14

Open
@artichoketrust have lined up some BRILLIANT artists for this year's #LumiereDurham! ✨ Six artists from across the UK will have their artwork on display in various locations across the county after being successful in this year's BRILLIANT competition. Winning ideas include a set of giant gardening tools and an artwork inspired by County Durham’s changing geography. Four of the chosen winners are from the North East, with an additional two applicants selected from outside of the region. BRILLIANT received a record 272 applications, an increase of over 250% since 2019, with a fifth of applicants identifying as d/Deaf or Disabled, Black or a Person of Colour, supporting Artichoke's mission to broaden the diversity of those working in the medium of light art. BRILLIANT also reflects our bid for UK City of Culture, putting local people at the heart of culture and creating an environment that champions inclusivity and diversity. #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025 Find out more: https://www.lumiere-festival.com/brilliant-ideas-chosen-for-lumiere-2021/ #BRILLIANTcompetition #Lumiere #lightfestival #culture #artists #artwork

@artichoketrust have lined up some BRILLIANT artists for this year's #LumiereDurham! ✨

Six artists from across the UK will have their artwork on display in various locations across the county after being successful in this year's BRILLIANT competition. Winning ideas include a set of giant gardening tools and an artwork inspired by County Durham’s changing geography.

Four of the chosen winners are from the North East, with an additional two applicants selected from outside of the region. BRILLIANT received a record 272 applications, an increase of over 250% since 2019, with a fifth of applicants identifying as d/Deaf or Disabled, Black or a Person of Colour, supporting Artichoke's mission to broaden the diversity of those working in the medium of light art.

BRILLIANT also reflects our bid for UK City of Culture, putting local people at the heart of culture and creating an environment that champions inclusivity and diversity. #Durham2025 #CityofCulture2025

Find out more: https://www.lumiere-festival.com/brilliant-ideas-chosen-for-lumiere-2021/

#BRILLIANTcompetition #Lumiere #lightfestival #culture #artists #artwork ...

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