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
Under Durham: The Untold Stories
24 May 2024 - 21 November 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
When you think about the history of Durham, what comes to mind? Beautiful architecture, rich and powerful people and the history you find in textbooks. But how often do we stop and think about the lives of ordinary people? This exhibition explores the past of Durham through the ordinary people who lived and worked here.
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Repair and Care: The Norman Chapel Project
24 May 2024 - 17 November 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Durham Castle
Have you ever looked at an ancient castle and wondered how it’s still standing? This exhibition will explore the history of construction and building conservation at Durham Castle, with a particular focus on the Norman Chapel Project, a long-term endeavour to preserve the oldest free-standing building in Durham.
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Strike! Art Collective
28 June 2024 - 14 November 2024
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Outdoor Art Gallery, Art Collection
STRIKE is a new women-led public art collective in County Durham. Together they use public art to take up space without apology, saying farewell to the many ‘sorrys’ of the women who walked before them.
- 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
Durham Art Collective
13 November 2024 - 13 November 2024
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
7 Owengate, Art Collection
A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.
- Creative
- School students
The Archaeology of Waterways Nautical Archaeology Society Annual Conference
16 November 2024 - 18 November 2024
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, Museum of Archaeology
The two-day conference in Durham has been organised in partnership with Durham University including the Museum of Archaeology, the Finds Research Group, and the Architectural and Archaeological Society of Durham and Northumberland will be themed around the Archaeology of Waterways. Presentations will include topics from all over the world and from around the UK about archaeological research and investigations of the ancient and historic waterways.
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Everyone
To the moon!
16 November 2024 - 16 November 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out about the beautiful Korean moon jar with our new audio guide and make a moon garland to hang up.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Rivers Within: Clay vessels with Ruth Flowers
19 November 2024 - 19 November 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
7 Owengate, Art Collection
In this two-part workshop create your own clay vessel inspired by symbolism from local folklore legend ‘The Lambton Worm’.
- Creative
- Everyone
Explore Cyanotype workshop
20 November 2024 - 20 November 2024
4:00 PM - 6:01 PM
7 Owengate, Art Collection
Using UV lights to make cyanotypes- drawing with light with Student Art Prize, Artist in Residence, Sarah Calavera.
- Creative
- Everyone
Discover Anubis
23 November 2024 - 23 November 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Learn all about Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian god of the underworld and make your own Anubis mask.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Twilight Talk: From function to form - medieval seals within Durham Cathedral Archive
28 November 2024 - 28 November 2024
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
7 Owengate, Historic Libraries, Museum of Archaeology
Join us for an enlightening talk on the evolution of medieval seals.
- Lecture
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Everyone
Festive Wreath Making Workshop
30 November 2024 - 30 November 2024
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Join Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse for a festive wreath making workshop.Â
- Creative
Paper Sculpting Workshop
30 November 2024 - 30 November 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out about Japanese bento boxes and create your own paper sushi, chopsticks and more!
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Festive Flower Demonstration
01 December 2024 - 01 December 2024
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Join Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse for a festive flower demonstration.Â
- Creative
The Tatreez Forest: Stitching Palestinian Heritage
01 December 2024 - 01 December 2024
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Everyone is welcome to this hands-on workshop exploring Palestinian textile heritage.
- Workshop
- Everyone
- Friends of the Oriental Museum
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
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
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
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
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
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
Meet the Art Collection: Light
22 January 2025 - 22 January 2025
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
5 The College, Art Collection
Join us for an up-close viewing of the Art Collection inspired by this years Student Art Prize theme of light.
- Creative
- Everyone
Elevate Gel printing Workshop
22 January 2025 - 22 January 2025
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7 Owengate, Art Collection
Take your gel printing skills to the next level in this exciting 2-hour workshop with our local Artist in Residency, Sarah Calavera!
- Creative
- Everyone
Islamic Art Workshop
25 January 2025 - 25 January 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Chat to members of Durham University Islamic Society and try making your own Islamic-inspired geometric artwork.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Weaving Workshop
01 February 2025 - 01 February 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Check out the intricate patterns on the baskets on display and weave your own woollen flower.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Focus Artist in Residency Talk with Sarah Calavera
05 February 2025 - 05 February 2025
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
7 Owengate, Art Collection
Join Student Art Prize Artist in Residency, Sarah Calavera for a talk about her practice and residency.
- Creative
- Everyone
Crowd Craft: Lantern Festival
08 February 2025 - 08 February 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Get ready for the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival and make tissue paper lantern to decorate the museum.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Lantern Festival
12 February 2025 - 12 February 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Our annual Lantern Festival at the Oriental Museum celebrates the beginning of the new lunar year.
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Cool Cats
15 February 2025 - 15 February 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Explore our new exhibition about man who loved cats and make a super cute cat puppet.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Knock Knock ... Who's There?
22 February 2025 - 22 February 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Ever wondered about the huge door at the Oriental Museum? Make your own mysterious 3D doorway...
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Ancient Egyptian Sculpture Workshop
26 February 2025 - 26 February 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Try out our new audio guide and find out about an ancient Egyptian man called Paser. Then create your own Paser clay statue.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Artist Scavenger Hunt
26 February 2025 - 26 February 2025
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum, Art Collection
Explore the museum after hours in this alternative museum scavenger hunt with the Art Collection.
- Creative
- Everyone
Make a Monoprint
28 February 2025 - 28 February 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Be prepared to get messy and make your own monoprint artwork.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Crazy Creatures
01 March 2025 - 01 March 2025
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.
- Family friendly
Celebrate Hina Matsuri
01 March 2025 - 01 March 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
See a traditional set of Japanese Hina Matsuri dolls - only displayed for a short time each year in the run up the Hina Matsuri - and create your own Emperor or Empress doll to take home.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Marie Curie - Day of Reflection Event
02 March 2025 - 02 March 2025
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Come along to the Botanic Garden to share the Day of Reflection with us.
- Family friendly
Fire and Bone
08 March 2025 - 08 March 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out about Chinese oracle bones and write a secret message using ancient symbols.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Holi Festival
15 March 2025 - 15 March 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Welcome the spring season to Durham with Holi Festival!
- Festival
- Everyone
The Ancient Persians
22 March 2025 - 22 March 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Learn about the Ancient Persians, spot a 2500 year old silver bowl and try simple foil embossing.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Make a Canopic Jar
29 March 2025 - 29 March 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out about Ancient Egyptian mummification and make your own canopic jar.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Meet the Art Collection: Local Artists
02 April 2025 - 02 April 2025
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
5 The College, Art Collection
Join us for a special viewing of the Art Collection. See a selection of works by contemporary artists working in the North East.
- Creative
- Everyone
Crazy Creatures
24 April 2025 - 24 April 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.
- Family friendly
Crazy Creatures
14 August 2025 - 14 August 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Get interactive with the Crazy Creatures visiting the Garden for the day.
- Family friendly
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
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.