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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.

Show Past Events

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. 

  • 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. 

  • 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.

Children sitting at a table and smiling during an event