What’s On Events Calendar
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Binding the Bard
04 April 2025 - 02 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Historic Libraries
An exhibition of the entrants to our international bookbinding competition.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Everyone
Shakespeare Recovered: Durham's First Folio
04 April 2025 - 02 November 2025
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Historic Libraries
This year, our iconic book takes centre stage at Palace Green Library.
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Everyone
Telling Tales: Making Stories Come to Life
13 June 2025 - 09 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Experience the joy and wonder of storytelling through the Oriental Museum’s new summer exhibition, Telling Tales Making Stories Come to Life.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Enchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile Phone
13 June 2025 - 09 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Contemporary artist Dinah Kelly shines a light on the protective powers and symbolism of charms, talismans and amulets.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore
14 June 2025 - 02 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Historic Libraries
Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore is a free exhibition which explores the development of storytelling throughout Historic County Durham.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Children and families
- Everyone
On Fragments Of Yearning, I Linger
09 September 2025 - 16 October 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore is a free exhibition which explores the development of storytelling throughout Historic County Durham.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Everyone
Journey of a Century: From the Forbidden City to the Palace Museum
26 September 2025 - 31 May 2026
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Jointly organised by the Palace Museum and the Oriental Museum
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Global
- Everyone
Little Dragons
01 October 2025 - 01 October 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Enchanted Objects: Amulet Making Workshop
03 October 2025 - 03 October 2025
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join us for a creative workshop with artist Dinah Kelly. Create your own unique amulet full of personal meaning.
- Creative
- Public
- Workshop
- Alumni
- Everyone
- Friends of the Oriental Museum
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
Student Welcome Event - Enchanted Objects: Amulet Making Workshop
04 October 2025 - 04 October 2025
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join us for a creative workshop with artist Dinah Kelly. Create your own unique amulet full of personal meaning.
- Creative
- Public
- Workshop
- Students in HE
Family Activities: Into the Afterlife
04 October 2025 - 04 October 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out about the ancient Egyptian obelisk on display and create your own 3D model to take home.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
08 October 2025 - 08 October 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Family Activities: Go Go Go
11 October 2025 - 11 October 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Discover the ancient Chinese game of Go - learn to play from members of the Durham Go Club, and get a free Go board. Watch some games from the 2025 European Student Go Championship, taking place next door. All ages welcome.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
15 October 2025 - 15 October 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Family Activities: Super Samurai
18 October 2025 - 18 October 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Check our of full suit of fearsome Japanese samurai armour and make your own personal samurai-style paper helmet.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Diwali Festival
18 October 2025 - 18 October 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Celebrate the Indian festival of lights with this special late night opening.
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Festival
- Lates
- Outreach & community
- Performance
- Public
- Student experience
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
- Friends of the Oriental Museum
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
- Students in HE
- Teachers / Home Educators
- Young People
Little Dragons
22 October 2025 - 22 October 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Crazy Creatures
25 October 2025 - 25 October 2025
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.
- Family friendly
Family Activities: Horse Play
25 October 2025 - 25 October 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
See the magnificent horses on display in the China Gallery and make a hobby horse.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
29 October 2025 - 29 October 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
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What’s on across our venues
Our unique cultural attractions include Durham Castle, Botanic Gardens, Historic Libraries at Palace Green, Oriental Museum, Museum of Archaeology and our World Heritage Visitor Centre. Whatever your interest, there's something for everyone to enjoy.