What’s On Events Calendar
Building closure - upcoming dates
Due to extensive roofing works at Palace Green Library, there will be times when we have to close the building to visitors between summer 2024 and spring 2025, with no access to Museum of Archaeology, Cosin’s Library, Penned and Printed exhibition and World Heritage Site Visitor Centre.
Visit our Tickets and Times pages at each venue for more information.
Penned and Printed
27 May 2023 - 31 March 2025
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Historic Libraries
An exhibition of our Archives and Special Collections, telling hidden stories from the shelves and strongrooms. (Please note, access to this exhibition will be affected by the upcoming Palace Green Library closure dates.)
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Beautiful Durham
16 August 2023 - 31 May 2024
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Outdoor Art Gallery, Art Collection
As a Part of the Summer in the City Art Festival and in collaboration with nine County Durham Schools, come see a collection of artworks that answer the question “What makes Durham Beautiful?”
- Accessible
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Voices: contemporary art and craft from the Middle East and North Africa
29 September 2023 - 12 May 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
An exhibition celebrating the work of emerging contemporary artists and designers from the Middle East and North Africa recently acquired by the Oriental Museum.
- Exhibitions
- Everyone
Annual Easter Chick Hunt
31 March 2024 - 01 April 2024
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Easter Chicks are hiding in the Garden. Pick up your spotter sheet and see how many you can find in this fun family event. Self-led activity.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Little Dragons
03 April 2024 - 24 April 2024
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Oriental Museum
Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and stories.
- Creative
- Public
- Under 5s
Little Dragons
03 April 2024 - 24 April 2024
10:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Oriental Museum
Join us at the Oriental Museum on Wednesday mornings for Little Dragons, our FREE session for children under 5 and their families/carers. Each session will be packed full of exploring the museum galleries, fun craft activities, singing, games and stories.
- Creative
- Public
- Under 5s
Interesting X-Rays
03 April 2024 - 03 April 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Take a look at some x-rays of the Ancient Egyptian animal mummies.
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Twilight Opening at Oriental Museum
04 April 2024 - 18 April 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.
- Exhibitions
- Lates
- Public
- Everyone
Beautiful Birds
06 April 2024 - 06 April 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Spot the magical hintha bird on display and make your own feathery friend to take home.
- Outreach & community
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
What’s on across our venues
Our unique cultural attractions include Durham Castle, Botanic Garden, Historic Libraries at Palace Green, Oriental Museum, Museum of Archaeology and our World Heritage Site Visitor Centre. Whatever your interest, there's something for everyone to enjoy.