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.
Student Art Prize Exhibition 2022/23
01 May 2023 - 18 March 2024
10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Palatine Centre
This exhibition showcases the shortlisted entries to Durham University’s fourth annual Student Art Prize.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Public
- Student experience
- Alumni
- Everyone
- Students in HE
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
Welcome the Year of the Dragon
02 February 2024 - 03 March 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Celebrate the Spring Festival and the beginning of the Year of the Dragon
- Exhibitions
- Everyone
Little Dragons
07 February 2024 - 28 February 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
Hina Matsuri
13 February 2024 - 03 March 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Enjoy our display of traditional Japanese dolls
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Little Dragons
14 February 2024 - 06 March 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
Durham Castle Guided Tours
19 February 2024 - 19 February 2024
1:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Public
- Tour
- Children and families
- Everyone
Autism-Friendly Family Fun over Half Term
20 February 2024 - 20 February 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join us for some fun, autism-friendly crafts for families at the Oriental Museum when the galleries are quieter. Explore the museum galleries and make a Lunar New Year shadow puppet.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Holiday activities
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Workshop
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
20 February 2024 - 20 February 2024
1:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Durham Castle
Join one of our guided tours of Durham Castle - experience 1000 years of fascinating history and discover how the building has evolved in time and functions today as the home of University College.
- Public
- Tour
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
21 February 2024 - 13 March 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
21 February 2024 - 21 February 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
Quack Quack Duck
21 February 2024 - 21 February 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Inspired by our Korean wedding ducks on display, create your own duck from clay.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham Castle Family Fun Tour
21 February 2024 - 21 February 2024
2:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Durham Castle
Bring the whole family and enjoy a family-focused tour around Durham Castle, with activities for children throughout.
- Tour
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Art Social: Speed-dating the Art Collection
21 February 2024 - 21 February 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
Love art so much you want to date it? Meet some artworks from our collection and get to know them.
- Creative
- Alumni
- Everyone
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
- Local and family historians
- School students
- Students in HE
- Young People
Twilight Opening at Palace Green Library
22 February 2024 - 22 February 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology, Historic Libraries, Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
Palace Green Library is open until 7pm the 4th Thursday of every month.
- Accessible
- Exhibition
- Lates
- Public
- Everyone
Twilight Talk - Durham Castle and Cathedral: new perspectives on the living World Heritage Site
22 February 2024 - 22 February 2024
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Durham Castle, Museum of Archaeology, Historic Libraries, Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
Find out more about the Durham World Heritage Site.
- Lecture
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Everyone
Super Sculptures
23 February 2024 - 23 February 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join us for some half term creative fun and make a GIANT cardboard sculpture. Be prepared to get messy!
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Hooray for Hieroglyphs
24 February 2024 - 24 February 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Investigate ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and write your own secret messages on papyrus.
- 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.