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.
Little Dragons
14 June 2023 - 14 June 2023
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.
- Accessible
- Public
Fragments from History exhibition tour
15 June 2023 - 15 June 2023
3:15 AM - 4:15 PM
Durham Castle
Learn more about the current exhibition hosted inside Durham Castle and have more time to enjoy it at the end of a standard tour.
- Exhibition
- Public
- Tour
- Everyone
Twilight Opening at Oriental Museum
15 June 2023 - 15 June 2023
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.
- Exhibitions
- Lates
- Research event
- Everyone
Throwing it Out There: the Archaeology of Ritual, Rivers and Rubbish
16 June 2023 - 12 November 2023
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
Have you ever thrown a coin in a wishing well? You might not know it, but that is a kind of ritual! This exhibition will explore the rich ritual history of the rivers of County Durham, showcasing local objects from the Bronze Age to the medieval period and beyond.
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Taotie Mask Making
17 June 2023 - 17 June 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Taotie were Chinese mythical animals. Spot some taotie faces on display and make your own terrifying taotie mask.
- Holiday activities
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Everyone
Botanic Garden Fun Day
18 June 2023 - 18 June 2023
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Join us in the Botanic Garden on Sunday 18 June, to celebrate Summer with a full day of fun and a host of FREE activities for all the family!
- Festival
Everyday Inspirations Showcase: Script-in-Hand Readings, Open Mic & Q&A with Dr. Louise Powell
19 June 2023 - 19 June 2023
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Join us for this celebration of talent in this showcase which celebrates the power of the everyday, followed by open mic spots and a Q&A on working in the creative industries.
- Creative
- Discussion
- Everyone
- Students in HE
Little Dragons
21 June 2023 - 21 June 2023
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.
- Accessible
- Public
Little Dragons
21 June 2023 - 21 June 2023
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.
- Accessible
- Public
Fragments from History exhibition tour
22 June 2023 - 22 June 2023
3:15 AM - 4:15 PM
Durham Castle
Learn more about the current exhibition hosted inside Durham Castle and have more time to enjoy it at the end of a standard tour.
- Exhibition
- Public
- Tour
- Everyone
Twilight Opening at Palace Green Library
22 June 2023 - 22 June 2023
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Palace Green Library is open until 7pm the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.
- Exhibitions
- Lates
- Public
- Everyone
Twilight Talk: Throwing it Out There: Creating an Exhibition
22 June 2023 - 22 June 2023
5:45 PM - 6:45 PM
Museum of Archaeology, Historic Libraries, Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
This talk by a group of Master of Arts Museum and Artefact Studies students will share some anecdotes and information about the fun and challenges of creating an exhibition to do with rituals.
- Exhibition
- Lecture
- Public
- Everyone
Froggy Friends
24 June 2023 - 24 June 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out why the Ancient Egyptians were fascinated by frogs and make a froggy puppet to take home.
- Holiday activities
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Everyone
Little Dragons
28 June 2023 - 28 June 2023
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.
- Accessible
- Public
Little Dragons
28 June 2023 - 28 June 2023
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.
- Accessible
- Public
Nature X Magical Realism: Poetry Workshop
28 June 2023 - 28 June 2023
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join Durham University Poetry Society for this workshop, exploring nature writing and magical realism.
- Creative
- Workshop
- Everyone
- Students in HE
Sensing: Walk and Art Workshop
29 June 2023 - 29 June 2023
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
Join artist Alice Highet on this sensory walk of Durham City.
- Creative
- Workshop
- Everyone
- Students in HE
Celebrating Eid ul-Adha
01 July 2023 - 01 July 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out about the Festival of Sacrifice and try making some Islamic-style geometric art.
- Creative
- Festival
- Everyone
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
Glass Painting Workshop
01 July 2023 - 01 July 2023
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join artist Gail Bell and try painting on glass and Perspex using a variety of tools and techniques.
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Workshop
- Everyone
Little Dragons
05 July 2023 - 05 July 2023
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
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.