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
Student Art Prize 2023/34: Paradise
01 May 2024 - 31 March 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Palatine Centre, Art Collection
Visit the Student Art Prize 2023/24 exhibition and explore this years theme of Paradise.
- Creative
- Everyone
Knitted together: the Korean lives and legacies of Richard and Joan Rutt
28 September 2024 - 04 May 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Drawing on the objects and photographs of the main donors to the Korean collection at the Oriental Museum, Knitted Together details Richard and Joan Rutt’s 20 years living in South Korea in the immediate aftermath of the Korean War (1950 – 1953).
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Feathers and the Feminine
04 October 2024 - 23 February 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
The Feathers and the Feminine installation was created by members of Interface Arts in memory of their friend Carolyn Corfield, who passed away last year. A creative and dynamic member of the Durham based group, Carolyn primarily produced sculptural ceramics, some of which are on display as part of the installation.
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Little Dragons
04 December 2024 - 04 December 2024
9:30 AM - 10:00 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
04 December 2024 - 04 December 2024
10:45 AM - 11:45 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
Explore Image Transfer workshop
04 December 2024 - 04 December 2024
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7 Owengate, Art Collection
Join Mixed Media Artist Sarah Calavera for an exciting hands-on workshop and discover the magic of laser print image transfers!
- Creative
- Everyone
Twilight Opening at Oriental Museum
05 December 2024 - 05 December 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Oriental Museum is open until 7pm on the 1st Thursday of every month.
- Accessible
- Exhibitions
- Lates
- Public
- Everyone
Lovely Lions
07 December 2024 - 07 December 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Spot the magnificent Chinese lion on display and make your own roar-some lion puppet.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Saturnalia Trail
09 December 2024 - 06 January 2025
10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Museum of Archaeology
Explore the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham University Staff Chamber Choir
10 December 2024 - 10 December 2024
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Join the Durham University Staff Chamber Choir at the Botanic Garden for their 'Music for Christmas' performance.
- Family friendly
Friends of the Oriental Museum: International Projects Update
11 December 2024 - 11 December 2024
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Oriental Museum: International projects update Gill Ramsay, Assistant Curator, Oriental Museum
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Friends of the Oriental Museum
Cool Coral
14 December 2024 - 14 December 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Check out an intriguing sculpture called Coral Eye and make your own coral-inspired seascape.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Self-Guided Visit: Christmas Day at Durham Castle
15 December 2024 - 15 December 2024
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Durham Castle
Join us for a unique visit to Durham Castle for the whole family to celebrate the festive season.
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
18 December 2024 - 18 December 2024
9:30 AM - 10:00 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
Countdown to Christmas Craft Worksop
21 December 2024 - 21 December 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out how Christmas is celebrated around the world and decorate ceramic Christmas decorations to take home.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Flaming Flies
04 January 2025 - 04 January 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out why the bravest Ancient Egyptians were award a golden fly and make your own.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Selfie Art
11 January 2025 - 11 January 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Spot the Selfie Queen sculpture in our South Asian Gallery and make some funky selfie art.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Blue On White
11 January 2025 - 11 January 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Inspired by the beautiful blue and white Chinese ceramics at the Oriental Museum, spend an afternoon creating your own blue and white artworks using inks on paper and ceramic.
- Creative
- Public
- Workshop
- Everyone
- Friends of the Oriental Museum
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
Winter Wonderland
18 January 2025 - 18 January 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Did you know that plum blossom is a symbol of winter in Chinese culture? Find out about this special flower and make a snowy plum blossom wreath.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
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.