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.
- 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
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.