Each year Darlington enjoys annual sporting events such as the Darlington 10km Road Run, music events, festivals and carnivals. In addition you will always be able to enjoy regular entertainment in the new town centre during the summer and Christmas months as well as many of the countryside events in the local parks and open spaces.
Darlington Events Strategy
Darlington has developed an events strategy to help deliver an events programme, which enhances its tourism profile, and sustains economic growth.
The key aims of the strategy are as follows:
- To encourage local community and rural events in the Borough providing support and assistance where required
- To deliver an events programme which enhances Darlington’s tourism offer, profile and economic impact
- To develop a co-ordinated approach to the provision of events exploiting all opportunities
- Attract and host major events of national and regional significance
- To increase and sustain economic growth from events
- To attract town twinning events in the Borough and encourage local schools and colleges to deliver events
The key objectives of the strategy are:
- To provide a strategic framework for the events programme
- To establish an Events Panel and an Events Unit providing direction, financial and marketing support to events in both the private and public sector
- To establish a sound financial framework for the support of events
- To identify a consistent, proactive and integrated approach to the provision of support services and regulatory functions for events
- To promote creativity in developing aspirational events for Darlington
- To provide the infrastructure for delivering street art in Darlington
- To provide life long learning opportunities through the delivery of events
- To identify tertiary, marketing and branding opportunities
- To ensure the highest standards for health and safety are followed at events
Darlington’s reputation and experience of high profiled events, its market town appeal, its heritage and evolving role as the gateway to Tees Valley means that new events and civic occasions have the opportunity to increase and play a pivotal role in the economy and profile of Darlington.
If you are interested in staging an event in Darlington please contact the Events Team on (01325) 388427 or 388151 or e-mail the Events Team at eventsteam@darlington.gov.uk
Darlington’s street art
Darlington actively encourages amateur street performers and buskers to perform in the town centre, for further information and to make a booking please contact the Events Development Officer Marion Bynoe on (01325) 388151.
Hire of Darlington’s performance spaces
Darlington has many performance spaces in the town centre, which can be hired by external groups, commercial organisations and individuals.
The market square, which can accommodate up to 5000 people, is an ideal space for the larger events whilst the smaller spaces such as Joseph Pease Place, Life Pulse, High Row, Northgate and West Row are more suited for street entertainers and consultation events. For further information regarding conditions of usage and cost please contact the Events Manager Jeff Dawson on (01325) 388427 or the Events Development Officer Marion Bynoe on (01325) 388151.
Anyone wanting to organise an outdoor event, please visit the Public Entertainment Safety Advisory Group (PESAG) page, for further information and to complete the Event Notification form.
View our policy for the management and governance of the performance spaces in the town centre