What’s On Events Calendar

Join us for some fun, autism-friendly crafts for families at the Oriental Museum when the galleries are quieter. Experiment with colour, shape and pattern and paint your own unique artwork.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Come and celebrate Buddha's Birthday with us!

• Festival
• Outreach & community
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Young People

A student-led, family-friendly summer exhibition showcasing toys from across Asia and Egypt to celebrate a simple fact of humanity: we all love to play.

• Creative
• Exhibition
• Exhibitions
• Public
• Family friendly
• Everyone

This exhibition marks the centenary of the 1924 Mount Everest Expedition, the first Western, and ultimately tragic, attempt to climb the highest mountain in the world.

• Creative
• Exhibition
• Exhibitions
• Partnerships & Collaboration
• Public
• Family friendly
• Everyone

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

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

Come and start the Pride celebrations!

• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Family friendly
• Children and families

Explore our new photography exhibition!

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join poet, picture-maker and playwright Lizzie Lovejoy in a workshop to combine creative writing and visual art.

• Creative
• Lates
• Performance
• Student experience
• Workshop
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• School students
• Students in HE
• Young People

Please join the Poetry Society for the launch Gentian, a poetry zine and display of poems responding to objects displayed in the Oriental Museum. With open mic, all welcome!

• Creative
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Performance
• Student experience
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• School students
• Students in HE
• Young People

Living Objects shows a display of poems by DU Poetry Society

• Exhibition
• Exhibitions
• Children and families
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Local and family historians
• School students
• Students in HE
• Teachers / Home Educators
• Young People

Can you spot any mythical beasts or lion dogs in our galleries?

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Launch of DU Poetry Society's Gentian Zine, and display of poems at the Oriental Museum.

• Exhibition
• Lates
• Performance
• Student experience
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Local and family historians
• School students
• Students in HE
• Young People

Explore our beautiful Ancient Egyptian perfume jars, make up items and jewellery.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

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

Join us for quizzes and art games in the pub!

• Creative
• Lates
• Public
• Student experience
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Local and family historians
• Students in HE

Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Eternal Ascent exhibition guest curator Stephen Livingstone will recreate Bentley Beetham’s famous lantern slide lecture about the Mount Everest 1924 Expedition using photographs from the Bentley Beetham Collection and words taken from a series of articles written for the Sunday Sun newspaper. Free to attend and open to all.

• Lecture
• Public
• Alumni
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Local and family historians
• Students in HE

Find out about the Indian tradition of Rangoli art, and make your own.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Listen to the performers or sign-up in this after-hours open mic at the museum.

• Creative
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Students in HE
• Young People

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

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

A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.

• Creative
• School students
• Young People

Palace Green Library is open until 7pm the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibition
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Dive into The Dynamic Universe of Gel Printing!

• Creative
• Lates
• Workshop
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• School students
• Students in HE
• Teachers / Home Educators
• Young People

Find out about teru teru bozu - the famous Japanese weather doll and have a go at making one.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Following the success of last year’s inaugural Botanic Garden Fun Day, this has now become an annual event and will take place on Sunday 16 June, from 10am-4pm. This family-friendly, Fun Day offers loads of free activities, all in the beautiful surroundings of the Garden.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us at this special awards evening and view the Student Art Prize 2023/24 shortlisted exhibition.

• Creative
• Exhibition
• Lates
• Student experience
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Alumni
• Everyone
• Students in HE

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

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

Join us for some fun, autism-friendly crafts for families at the Oriental Museum when the galleries are quieter. Experiment with ways of folding, scrunching and sticking to make your own paper sculpture.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Explore our new exhibition all about play and toys, then try making your own game.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

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

Palace Green Library is open until 7pm the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibition
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Join this year’s Museum of Archaeology's MA Museum and Artefact students as they explore some of the interesting objects from their exhibition Under Durham: The untold stories, and how they discovered and researched the stories behind them.

• Lecture
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone

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

Want to sharpen your drawing skills or draw? Join our Arts Social with Durham University's Art Collection for a tutored drawing session.

• Creative
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Students in HE

Explore the Oriental Museum's collection of Japanese Manga comics and create your own to take home.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Want to sharpen your drawing skills or draw? Join our Arts Social with Durham University's Art Collection for a tutored drawing session.

• Creative
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Students in HE

Tanabata is the Japanese summer star festival. Find out about this special time of year and make tanabata decorations.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us for a creative workshop led by artist Gail Bell and design your own silk painting.

• Workshop
• Everyone

The Durham MG & Classic Car Club was formed in 2001 for local car enthusiasts interested in MG cars, both classic and modern. This informal gathering will showcase cars representing models produced from the late 1940s through to the early 2000s.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.

• Creative
• School students

Want to sharpen your drawing skills or draw? Join our Arts Social with Durham University's Art Collection for a tutored drawing session.

• Creative
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Students in HE

Handle some archaeological finds from Ancient Egypt and China and try our special archaeology trail.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us on Sunday, 14th July from 1-4pm at the Museum of Archaeology for a unique opportunity to learn about archaeological illustration. Part of the Festival of Archaeology, this event is free and open to everyone—no experience necessary.

• Creative
• Festival
• Holiday activities
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Join us for some autism-friendly lego fun for families at the Oriental Museum when the galleries are quieter.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Want to sharpen your drawing skills or draw? Join our Arts Social with Durham University's Art Collection for a tutored drawing session.

• Creative
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Students in HE

Did you know that yaks were a vital part of the first attempts to climb Mount Everest? Find out why and make cute yak puppet.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Be part of the Festival of Archaeology and DUScience100 with a family-friendly event at the Museum of Archaeology. Join Out There Adventures Living History Team as they bring Roman archaeology to life, and meet our curators who will share fascinating insights into our collections.

• Holiday activities
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

A creative workshop led by the artist Zara Worth for 7 - 14 year olds!

• Creative
• Holiday activities
• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• School students
• Young People

Explore our new exhibition, try our new playful gallery trail and make your own game.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Get a free mini sketchbook and try some easy, fun drawing ideas.

• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families

Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Learn about the Chinese terracotta army, and make your own terracotta warrior from clay.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Find out why many Ancient Egyptians had terrible teeth and make a set of chompers from plasticine.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

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

Decorate a glass jar with your favourite colours.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Palace Green Library is open until 7pm on the 2nd Thursday of this month.

• Accessible
• Exhibition
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Experiment with colour and try paper marbling.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

See our huge Ancient Egyptian temple frieze and then make your own relief sculpture.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us for a fun-filled day of exploring bear habitats on an interactive guided walk through the Garden, a messy bear art workshop and all your favourite bear stories.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Festival of Archaeology Embroidery Workshop: Exploring the LGBTQIA+ histories in the Ancient Greek Collections

• Creative
• Everyone

Explore Durham University’s Museum of Archaeology Greek and Roman collections with artist Sarah Li in this unique workshop. Delve into LGBTQIA+ histories, engage in Queer storytelling, and create your own piece of embroidery.

• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Festival
• Holiday activities
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Students in HE

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

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

Explore the sights and sounds of the Himalayas and make a cool mountain zine.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.

• Creative
• School students

Get interactive with our Crazy Creatures who are visiting the Garden for the day.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Explore our new exhibition all about toys and games, then play some fun games like Ancient Egyptian senet, snakes and ladders and more - all while the museum galleries are generally quieter.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Exploring the LGBTQIA+ histories in the Oriental Museum collection.

• Creative
• Everyone

See a beautiful boat on display and make your own watercolour sail boat.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Find out about the ancient Egyptian obelisk on display and create your own 3D model to take home.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

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

Learn some Chinese characters and try writing your own.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join storyteller, Elizabeth Baker, for a whole host of stories and legends from some of the different countries where the wonderful plants in our Garden grow.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us for an engaging exploration into the often unseen world of museum curation, featuring insights from the Museum of Archaeology and Bioscience Collection at Durham University.

• Lecture
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone

Bastet was the Ancient Egyptian goddess of protection. Find out why she was so important and make a fun cat painting.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Find out about the Shang Dynasty of China and make a scary taotie mask with embossed metal detail.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

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

Create your own Indian-style miniature painting.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Exploring the LGBTQIA+ histories in the Ancient Greek Collections

• Creative
• Everyone

Create your own mini mosaic from glass tiles.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Get creative and make a mini Japanese Zen garden.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

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

Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Come along to a relaxed family activity session for neurodiverse children and their families.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone
• Teachers / Home Educators
• Young People

Find out about ancient Egyptian life and make your own sandy pyramid.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us for a creative workshop led by artist Victoria MacLeod.

• Workshop
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups

A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.

• Creative
• School students

As part of this year's Heritage Open Day celebrations, join us for a free self-guided visit to Durham Castle today and enjoy the historic and beautiful surroundings at your own pace.

• Public
• Tour
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

See our fabulous Korean Moon Jar - then create a mini one from clay.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

As part of this year's Heritage Open Day celebrations, join us for a free castle tour to enjoy Durham Castle's historic and beautiful surroundings.

• Public
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

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

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

Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

See the magnificent horse on display in the China Gallery and make a hobby horse.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join the curator of Durham Castle as they explore the recent complex conservation project to protect and preserve the Norman Chapel for the future.

• Lecture
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone

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

Find out about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year festival, and make a shofar musical instrument.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

Find out how autumn is celebrated in China and make a super cute autumn decoration.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

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

A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.

• Creative
• School students

From elephants to buffalo and monkeys, learn about the animals of South Asia and design your own animal mask.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Come hang out with us and explore the vibrant world of Pop Art at our event "Meet the Art Collection: Pop Art"!

• Creative
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• School students
• Students in HE
• Young People

Robert will describe the main sacred Buddhist sites in India, illustrated by pictures taken while on pilgrimage. Ancient and modern temples mark significant events in the life of the Buddha, where Buddhists of all traditions still gather to practice and to celebrate. But in India things are often not quite what they seem!

• Lecture
• Friends of the Oriental Museum

Come along to a relaxed family activity session for neurodiverse children and their families.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone
• Teachers / Home Educators
• Young People

Join Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse for a Autumn flower demonstration. 

• Creative

Come along and celebrate drawing and take your pencil for a walk! Try our epic drawing challenges in free mini sketchbook.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

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

Palace Green Library is open until 7pm on the 4th Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Join two of our conservation team as they discuss how and why they completed a collection storage survey across all University collections last year, and what their favourite objects were.

• Lecture
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone

Visit our new exhibition about a man who was very keen on knitting and try finger knitting a colourful bracelet.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Steady your nerves for a unique and atmospheric family tour around Durham Castle!

• Tour
• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join our new Biodiversity Manager, Ian Armstrong for a guided walk around the Great Highwood area of the Durham University Estate.

• Tour

Join Us for Hands-On History! Handle replica objects and uncover fascinating stories behind our collections.

• Exhibition
• Public
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Join Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse for a Halloween flower demonstration.  

• Creative

How did the Ancient Egyptians build the pyramids? Try some pyramid building experiments and find out.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us to find out more about this years Student Art Prize and what prizes you can win!

• Creative
• Everyone

Are you interested in Japan? Come along and try origami, calligraphy and chopstick games.

• Family friendly

Paint a gorgeous blue and white paper vase just like the Chinese pots at the Oriental Museum.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Calling all craft kids and grown-ups! Help us prepare for Diwali and make some super firework decorations to display in the museum.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Celebrate the Indian festival of lights with this special late night opening.

• Festival
• Outreach & community
• Student experience
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone
• Students in HE
• Young People

Explore the dynamic universe of gel plate printing in this hands-on workshop with local North East mixed media artist Sarah Calavera!

• Creative
• Everyone

In this two-part workshop create your own clay vessel inspired by symbolism from local folklore legend ‘The Lambton Worm’.

• Creative
• Everyone

Boost your overall wellbeing with Flowerfulness with Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse.

• Creative

Come along and make a fab fishy collage inspired by a tiny boat in the Silk Roads Gallery.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Make a hand-stitched bird key ring to grace your Christmas tree or give as a gift.

• Creative
• Public
• Workshop
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups

A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.

• Creative
• School students

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

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

In this two-part workshop create your own clay vessel inspired by symbolism from local folklore legend ‘The Lambton Worm’.

• Creative
• Everyone

Using UV lights to make cyanotypes- drawing with light with Student Art Prize, Artist in Residence, Sarah Calavera.

• Creative
• Everyone

Learn all about Anubis, the Ancient Egyptian god of the underworld and make your own Anubis mask.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us for an enlightening talk on the evolution of medieval seals.

• Lecture
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone

Join Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse for a festive wreath making workshop. 

• Creative

Find out about Japanese bento boxes and create your own paper sushi, chopsticks and more!

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join Sue Elsdon in the Glasshouse for a festive flower demonstration. 

• Creative

Everyone is welcome to this hands-on workshop exploring Palestinian textile heritage.

• Workshop
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups

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

Join Mixed Media Artist Sarah Calavera for an exciting hands-on workshop and discover the magic of laser print image transfers!

• Creative
• Everyone

Oriental Museum is open until 7pm on the 1st Thursday of every month.

• Accessible
• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Spot the magnificent Chinese lion on display and make your own roar-some lion puppet.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Explore the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia.

• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Join the Durham University Staff Chamber Choir at the Botanic Garden for their 'Music for Christmas' performance.

• Family friendly

Oriental Museum: International projects update Gill Ramsay, Assistant Curator, Oriental Museum

• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Friends of the Oriental Museum

Check out an intriguing sculpture called Coral Eye and make your own coral-inspired seascape.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us for a unique visit to Durham Castle for the whole family to celebrate the festive season.

• Holiday activities
• Public
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Find out how Christmas is celebrated around the world and decorate ceramic Christmas decorations to take home.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Durham University Science 100 outdoor exhibition explores the history of science education and research at Durham, featuring remarkable artefacts and stories from our museum collections.

• Exhibition
• Everyone

Find out why the bravest Ancient Egyptians were award a golden fly and make your own.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Rivers Within is a creative project by homegrown artist Ruth Flowers who has recently been exploring Durham folklore legend, The Lambton Worm and connections to the River Wear. This has been made possible by the support of Cultivate Commissions, a strand of Into the Light initiative delivered by organisations No More Nowt and Northern Heartlands.

• Exhibition
• Exhibitions
• Everyone

Spot the Selfie Queen sculpture in our South Asian Gallery and make some funky selfie art.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Inspired by the beautiful blue and white Chinese ceramics at the Oriental Museum, spend an afternoon creating your own blue and white artworks using inks on paper and ceramic.

• Creative
• Public
• Workshop
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups

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

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
• Family friendly
• Under 5s

Join us for an up-close viewing of the Art Collection inspired by this years Student Art Prize theme of light.

• Creative
• Everyone

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

Over the past 2 years, work has been undertaken by Durham's curatorial staff to begin to reawaken the university's Bioscience Collection. In this talk, recent graduate intern Anna will explore the processes of reviving the Bioscience Collection through careful curation, conservation, and archival research.

• Lecture
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone

Chat to members of Durham University Islamic Society and try making your own Islamic-inspired geometric artwork.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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
• Family friendly
• Under 5s

Join us for an evening talk by South Korean artist Seeun Kim on traditional Korean jewellery.

• Exhibition
• Outreach & community
• Partnerships & Collaboration
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone

Join the Saturday Archaeological Illustration Club to develop your skills in archaeological illustration. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned illustrator, these sessions offer a chance to refine your technique, interact with real artefacts, and engage with the archaeology community in a relaxed, informal environment.

• Creative
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Family friendly
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Local and family historians
• Students in HE

Check out the intricate patterns on the baskets on display and weave your own woollen flower.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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
• Family friendly
• Under 5s

Join Student Art Prize Artist in Residency, Sarah Calavera for a talk about her practice and residency.

• Creative
• Everyone

Get ready for the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival and make tissue paper lantern to decorate the museum.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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
• Family friendly
• Under 5s

Everyone is welcome at this spectacular Lunar New Year Lantern Festival.

• Festival
• Performance
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone
• School students

Explore our new exhibition about man who loved cats and make a super cute cat puppet.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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
• Family friendly
• Under 5s

Ever wondered about the huge door at the Oriental Museum? Make your own mysterious 3D doorway...

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun tour around Durham Castle, with activities for children throughout!

• Public
• Tour
• Family friendly
• Children and families

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
• Family friendly
• Under 5s

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

Explore the museum after hours in this alternative museum scavenger hunt with the Art Collection.

• Creative
• Everyone

Join Curator of the Korean Collections, Lauren Barnes to learn more about our current temporary exhibition, 'Knitted Together: the Korean lives and legacies of Richard and Joan Rutt'. In this talk, Lauren will share stories of two of the main donors to the Oriental Museum's Korean collection, Richard and Joan Rutt, and give an insight into their fascinating collection and its journey from Daejeon in South Korea, to the Oriental Museum in Durham.

• Lecture
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone

Be prepared to get messy and make your own monoprint artwork.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join the Saturday Archaeological Illustration Club to develop your skills in archaeological illustration. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned illustrator, these sessions offer a chance to refine your technique, interact with real artefacts, and engage with the archaeology community in a relaxed, informal environment.

• Creative
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Family friendly
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Local and family historians
• Students in HE