What’s On Events Calendar
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Binding the Bard
04 April 2025 - 02 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Historic Libraries
An exhibition of the entrants to our international bookbinding competition.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Everyone
Shakespeare Recovered: Durham's First Folio
04 April 2025 - 02 November 2025
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Historic Libraries
This year, our iconic book takes centre stage at Palace Green Library.
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Everyone
Weaving Stories: From Community Hands and Hearts
24 May 2025 - 14 September 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
A vibrant exhibition celebrating the creativity and voices of community groups who regularly collaborate with the Oriental Museum.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Camel Caravan
24 May 2025 - 24 May 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Be inspired by our new community exhibition and make your own cute camel art.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Botanic Garden Fun Day 2025
26 May 2025 - 26 May 2025
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Come along to enjoy the Botanic Garden annual Fun Day this Bank Holiday Monday 26 May. There will be a host of FREE, family-friendly activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy, from face-painting to flower arranging, to crafts and Samuri sword demonstrations and discover our Crazy Creatures, all accompanied by live music from Pittington Brass Band. Plus - Our Friends of the Garden will be holding their annual plant sale!
- Outreach & community
- Student experience
- Family friendly
Little Dragons
28 May 2025 - 28 May 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Bloom Room
28 May 2025 - 28 May 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join us in the Bloom Room and decorate our giant flowers - perfect for budding artists.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Crypt Curses
30 May 2025 - 30 May 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Discover some spooky curses from around the world and make a lucky charm
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Sketch Up!
31 May 2025 - 31 May 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Try some easy drawing and tracing techniques and draw like a pro!
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
04 June 2025 - 04 June 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Saturday Archaeological Illustration Club
07 June 2025 - 07 June 2025
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
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
Beat Builders
07 June 2025 - 07 June 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Spot a giant drum and make one of your very own!
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
11 June 2025 - 11 June 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Telling Tales: Making Stories Come to Life
13 June 2025 - 09 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Experience the joy and wonder of storytelling through the Oriental Museum’s new summer exhibition, Telling Tales Making Stories Come to Life.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Enchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile Phone
13 June 2025 - 09 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Contemporary artist Dinah Kelly shines a light on the protective powers and symbolism of charms, talismans and amulets.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore
14 June 2025 - 02 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Historic Libraries
Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore is a free exhibition which explores the development of storytelling throughout Historic County Durham.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Children and families
- Everyone
Amulet Making Workshop
14 June 2025 - 14 June 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Learn about amulets and talismans and make your own pendant.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
18 June 2025 - 18 June 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Little Dragons
25 June 2025 - 25 June 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Twilight Talks - Beasts and Legends: Adventures through North East Folklore, Curating the Exhibition
26 June 2025 - 26 June 2025
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Historic Libraries, Museum of Archaeology
Join the Beasts and Legends student exhibition team at Palace Green Library as they share their experiences of curating the exhibition. Discover artefacts from Durham University’s collections, objects on loan from Durham Cathedral, and collaborative artworks by local artist Ruth Flowers.
- Lecture
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- 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.