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
Twilight Opening at Oriental Museum
01 February 2024 - 01 February 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join us to visit the Oriental Museum and our changing exhibition programme until 7pm. No booking necessary and free entry.
- Exhibitions
- Lates
- Public
- 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
Great Ganesha
03 February 2024 - 03 February 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Ganesha is an elephant-headed god from the religion of Hinduism. Create your own super Ganesha puppet.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Seeking Paradise with MEDUSA
03 February 2024 - 03 February 2024
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
Join MEDUSA for a free workshop exploring the theme of paradise in Durham University’s art collection!
- Creative
- Outreach & community
- Partnerships & Collaboration
- Public
- Student experience
- Workshop
- Everyone
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
- Students in HE
Durham Castle Guided Tours
05 February 2024 - 05 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
Durham Castle Guided Tours
06 February 2024 - 06 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
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
Little Dragons
07 February 2024 - 07 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
Durham Castle Guided Tours
07 February 2024 - 07 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
Salvador Dali and The Divine Comedy
07 February 2024 - 07 February 2024
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
A talk and viewing of Dali's prints with curator Alix Collingwood Swinburn
- Creative
- Outreach & community
- Student experience
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Workshop
- Everyone
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
- School students
- Students in HE
- Young People
Durham Castle Guided Tours
08 February 2024 - 08 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
Durham Castle Guided Tours
09 February 2024 - 09 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
Crowd Craft: Year of the Dragon
10 February 2024 - 10 February 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Calling all craft kids and grown-ups! Welcome in the Lunar New Year and make some dragon decorations to display at the museum.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Durham Castle Guided Tours
10 February 2024 - 10 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
Durham Castle Guided Tours
11 February 2024 - 11 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
Durham Castle Guided Tours
12 February 2024 - 12 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
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.