With lots of Durham Bank Holiday events from which to choose, you'll be wishing the May Bank Holiday weekend this Spring was more than three days long so that you could fit it all in.
We've got May Bank Holiday events in Durham for children and also plenty that should appeal to adults too - so there should be something for everyone.
Read next: Free events in Durham this week
Durham Bank Holiday events #1: Japanese Children's Day, Durham Oriental Museum
Durham Oriental Museum has always got a good family event on at weekends, and this week it's a celebration of Japanese Children's Day. It takes place on Saturday May 4 from 1-3pm; make cool carp banners and dress up in kimonos. Enjoy viewing a sword demonstration at 2pm by Shodai Ryo, Durham's own dogo, in the Durham Oriental Museum Japanese Gallery.
Japanese Children's Day is included in the Durham Oriental Museum admission price (£1.50 adults, 75p children and over 60s, £3.50 family of two adults and three children) and is generally suitable for children aged five to 11. For information contact Durham Oriental Museum on oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk or 0191 334 5694.
Durham Bank Holiday events #2: Durham nostalgia day
With vintage stalls, old vehicles, big band music and free children's activities, there's lots to enjoy in the centre of Durham on May Bank Holiday Monday, May 6. You can find out what's on in our Durham nostalgia day roundup.
Read next: All the information you need about Lanchester Beer Festival
Durham Bank Holiday events #3: Durham theatre and music events, various venues
There's a lot of live music and theatre in Durham over the Spring Bank Holiday and throughout the rest of this week too, from standup comedy to West End plays and even a Wurlizter fun day. We've rounded it all up in our Durham music, comedy and theatre story for this week.
Durham Bank Holiday events #4: Festival Of Steam, Locomotion
Locomotion, the railway museum at Shildon, is holding a festival of steam from Friday to Sunday May 4-6 running 10am to 5pm each day.
There'll be displays of road steam vehicles, interactive street theatre performances, information stands, family learning activities, passenger steam train rides (small charge applies) and access to cabs of selected locomotives from the national collection.
Durham Bank Holiday events #5: Durham guided walks
There are several guided walks taking place across the county over the May Bank Holiday, including Waskerley and Tunstall Reservoir. You can find a full roundup in our County Durham guided walks story.
Durham Bank Holiday events #6: Go Wild, Palace Green Library
Ahead of the new Palace Green Library exhibition, Wild - which celebrates the wonderful animals that live in the British Isles - you can go this May Bank Holiday weekend for a craft activity, where you can make a puppet inspired by the animals in the exhibition.
The craft activities take place on Saturday and Sunday May 4-5, between 1-3pm. Contact pg.library@durham.ac.uk for more information. The exhibition Wild opens later this month, on May 18.
Read next: Nine mini adventures to have in County Durham
Durham Bank Holiday events #6: Beekeeping taster session, St Mary's College
Fancy trying your hand at beekeeping? This one day taster session will introduce visitors to the hobby and help them to understand more about the products you can create from it. It's on Saturday May 4 - read all the details in our Durham beekeeping course story.
Durham Bank Holiday events #7: May Day Celebrations, Beamish Museum
The Beamish Museum Pit Village is holding May Day Celebrations, which were one of the biggest annual celebrations in Edwardian times. The May King and Queen will be crowned, plus there will be music, Maypole dancing and crafts.
The Beamish Museum May Day Celebrations take place on Sunday and Monday May 5 and 6, and are free for visitors holding unlimited passes.
Durham Bank Holiday events #8: Mary Poppins event, Crook Hall
Join Mary Poppins and Bert in Crook Hall for chalk pavement drawings, stories and games. It's all included in the admission price if you have an annual pass, and takes place on Sunday and Monday May 5-6 from 10am to 4pm.
Durham Bank Holiday events #9: Darlington & Districts Orchid weekend, Raby Castle
Browse the huge array of blooms from the Darlington & Districts Orchid Society at Raby Castle over the early May Bank Holiday. The Raby Castle orchid weekend - the 20th anniversary - is on Sunday and Monday May 5 and 6.
There will also be orchid growers and sellers from all over the country who will gather to showcase some of the most beautiful and dramatic varieties of plants available. There will be plenty of opportunity to meet the experts, ask questions and buy your own specimens.
The Raby Castle orchid weekend is included in the Raby Castle ticket price. For more information you can contact Raby Castle on 01833 660202.
Read next: Try Durham stargazing without leaving the city
Durham Bank Holiday events #10: Morris Minor event, Bowes Museum
The North East Morris Minor Owners Club is hosting a Classic Cars on the Terrace event at Bowes Museum, where you can see old family favourites as well as a number of other vintage vehicles. The Bowes Museum Morris Minor event is on Sunday May 5 and is included in the Bowes Museum ticket price.
Durham Bank Holiday events #11: Traditional Crafts Weekend, Durham Botanic Garden
Anytime from Saturday to Monday May 4-6 between 10am and 3pm, head to Durham Botanic Garden to see the Traditional Crafts Weekend. Silversmith Les Howe and his wife Vivienne, an artist and card designer, will be demonstrating their skills in the garden.
Les takes much of his inspiration from the history of Durham, in particular St Cuthbert and the Lindisfarne Gospels. Viv works with traditional paper crafts such as embossing quilling and parchment work. Just turn up.
Tickets for entry into the Durham Botanic Garden, which is on South Road, cost £4 for adults and £3 for concessions. Seniors and student tickets are £1.50. Carers and infants go free. The Traditional Crafts Weekend is included in the admission price.
Durham Bank Holiday events #12: Art in the Park, Chester le Street
Riverside Park in Chester le Street is hosting Park Explorers - Art in the Park on Saturday May 4 from 1.30-3pm, where you can create your own artwork.
Park Explorers - Art in the Park costs £5 per child and is aimed at children aged between five and 11 years old. Accompanying adults can go for free. Pre-booking is essential - contact info@greenscene.org.uk
Durham Bank Holiday events #13: Guided tours, Durham Miners Hall
Redhills - Durham Miners Hall - is running guided tours this May Bank Holiday on Saturday May 4, and also in June. Find out more and how to book tickets in our Durham Miners Hall tours story.