Events from the 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023 Reset
Enjoy our new special exhibition exploring the rich prehistoric and Roman archaeology of Durham.
01 January 2022 - 01 December 2023
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology, Palace Green Library, Durham DH1 3RN
Meet Cuthbert Tunstall: bishop, scholar, diplomat, builder, and author of England’s first maths book, celebrating its 500th anniversary this year. He might just be the most important man in Tudor England that you’ve never heard of.
31 July 2022 - 26 March 2023
Durham Castle
The ancient Egyptian king Amunhotep III was the grandfather of the famous boy king Tutankhamun.
01 October 2022 - 21 May 2023
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum, Elvet Hill, Durham, DH1 3TH
This exhibition showcases the work of the professional artists and craftswomen who do so much to preserve and transfer traditional knowledge and skills, adapting them for new audiences and popularising Central Asian folk art. Alongside photographs of the women practicing a variety of traditional craft techniques will be examples of their textile work.
Oriental Museum, Elvet Hill, Durham DH1 3TH
This exhibition explores how photography turned Tutankhamun into a global sensation. It shows the most famous photographic images in archaeology, from the most famous of archaeological finds: the tomb of Tutankhamun. Marking the 100th anniversary of the tomb’s discovery in November 1922, this exhibition created by Durham University academic, Prof Christina Riggs, examines the striking images created by photographer Harry Burton during the decade-long excavation.
09 December 2022 - 17 July 2023
12:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Outdoor Art Gallery, Bill Bryson Library Square, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE
An international touring exhibition from the Japan Foundation.
20 January 2023 - 14 May 2023
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
The exhibition explores the stories connected through objects discovered in the River Wear, evoking the social history of Durham’s past 800 years. It has been co-curated by underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead and the Museum of Archaeology. It will feature around 200 of the 13,500 artefacts that have been found in the River Wear by Gary since 2008, in a friendly-family display.
20 February 2023 - 23 April 2023
Museum of Archaeology, Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RN
Pick up a spotter sheet from the Visitor Centre and see what you can discover in the garden (subject to availability of leaflets).
01 March 2023 - 31 March 2023
Botanic Garden
Little Dragons, our group for children under 5 and their families, offers in-person sessions at the Oriental Museum. Booking essential.
15 March 2023
9:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Join us on a twilight visit to the Oriental Museum on a Thursday until 7pm.
16 March 2023
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Celebrate International Women's Day and find out all about the mighty ancient Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII and make your own girl power portrait.
18 March 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
22 March 2023
See our lifesize chariot sculpture at the museum then craft your own mini chariot to take home.
25 March 2023
Join us for an afternoon of activities celebrating Bangladeshi independence and Bengali culture. Visitors can get hands on with Bangladeshi objects including a rare replica of the Bangladeshi Constitution.
26 March 2023
29 March 2023
01 April 2023 - 30 April 2023
Friends of the Oriental Museum lecture by Prof Kathryn Stevens, Fellow, Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford
04 April 2023
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
We are celebrating all things wild with this national event to imagine a better future for wildlife. Explore the animals hidden in the galleries, write a wild poem and make a colourful tiger hanging decoration.
05 April 2023
Oriental Museum Elvet Hill Rd Durham DH1 3TH
Visit our temporary exhibition "Stories from the River: Exploring the history of Durham, the finds of underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead" today, and meet underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead.
08 April 2023
12:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Find out how Easter is celebrated around the world and make a cute bunny to take home.
Easter Chicks are hiding in the Garden. Pick up your spotter sheet and see how many you can find in this fun family event.
09 April 2023 - 10 April 2023
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.
12 April 2023
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Check out our dhow boat and make your own boat.
Palace Green Library is open until 7pm the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.
13 April 2023
Palace Green Library
Join us for this family-friendly stitching workshop in the Bishop’s Dining Room, Durham Castle. After a guided tour of our new exhibition Fragments of History, participants will be able to learn about stitching techniques from the past and, with the help of expert stitchers, try them out.
14 April 2023
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Come along for messy clay fun. Create your own sculptures and pots inspired by the Oriental Museum.
Vaisakhi is the Sikh New Year festival. Find out how Sikhs celebrate and make a Khanda symbol mosaic.
15 April 2023
Local green woodworker, Chris Helliwell, will be demonstrating his traditional wood-turning craft skills using a pole lathe and shave horse, and giving people an opportunity to have a go.
16 April 2023
19 April 2023
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Learn more about the current exhibition hosted inside Durham Castle and have more time to enjoy it at the end of a standard tour.
20 April 2023
3:15 AM - 4:15 PM
Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.
Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr at the Oriental Museum and join us for an afternoon of arts and crafts, food and readings on Saturday 22 April 2023, 12.00 – 3.00pm.
22 April 2023
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
26 April 2023
27 April 2023
Netsuke are a type of toggle worn with Japanese kimonos. See our new exhibition of these tiny works of art, get hands on with some netsuke and find out about the stories behind them.
29 April 2023
This exhibition showcases the shortlisted entries to Durham University’s fourth annual Student Art Prize.
01 May 2023 - 18 March 2024
10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Palatine Centre, ground floor
As part of the Student Art Prize 2022/23, inspired by the concept of ‘Sanctuary’, internationally exhibited sculptor and photographer Sarah Danays will discuss her own work which, for several decades, has addressed women’s issues; particularly violence against women.
02 May 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location or online link will be confirmed once booking is secured.
03 May 2023
04 May 2023
Celebrate Japanese Children's Day.
06 May 2023
Visit the museum for your last chance to see the temporary exhibitions and also enjoy a discount within the café between 9-14 May
09 May 2023 - 14 May 2023
Oriental Museum café
10 May 2023
11 May 2023
See some musical instruments on display in the galleries and make your own mini music maker to take home.
13 May 2023
Join us for a creative workshop with artist Suzanne Williams. Learn how to use Brusho, an amazing highly pigmented intense watercolour ink powder, to create some exciting colourful abstract paintings on a range of papers.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
17 May 2023
18 May 2023
Get ready for Durham Pride Festival and find out about the Ancient Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut and why she wore a beard then join in with making our pride bunting.
20 May 2023
24 May 2023
25 May 2023
Cuthbert Tunstall is one of Durham’s most interesting and least understood Bishops. Not just a religious figure, Cuthbert was a diplomat, mathematician, book collector and gardener who survived and thrived in Tudor England. Find out more in this talk.
5:45 PM - 6:45 PM
Palace Green Library, Durham DH1 3RN
An exhibition of our Archives and Special Collections, telling hidden stories from the shelves and strongrooms.
27 May 2023 - 31 March 2025
Celebrate the most important day in the Buddhist calendar and join us for making, meditation, talks on Buddhism and traditional Buddha Bathing. Suitable for all the family.
27 May 2023
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
31 May 2023
Find out about our archers' thumb rings and make a mini bow and arrow set to take home.
01 June 2023
Find out why the Ancient Egyptians placed shabti figures inside their tombs and create your own shabti from clay.
02 June 2023
Spot the magical hintha bird on display and make your own feathery friend to take home.
03 June 2023
07 June 2023
This moving exhibition, produced in collaboration with the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, highlights the devastation wreaked by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
07 June 2023 - 10 September 2023
08 June 2023
Take a look at some x-rays of the Ancient Egyptian animal mummies on display and make your own x-ray picture.
10 June 2023
14 June 2023
15 June 2023
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.
16 June 2023 - 12 November 2023
Taotie were Chinese mythical animals. Spot some taotie faces on display and make your own terrifying taotie mask.
17 June 2023
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!
18 June 2023
Botanic Garden Hollingside Lane Durham DH1 3DF
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.
19 June 2023
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Josephine Butler College Bar
21 June 2023
22 June 2023
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.
Find out why the Ancient Egyptians were fascinated by frogs and make a froggy puppet to take home.
24 June 2023
28 June 2023
Join Durham University Poetry Society for this workshop, exploring nature writing and magical realism.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join artist Alice Highet on this sensory walk of Durham City.
29 June 2023
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Find out about the Festival of Sacrifice and try making some Islamic-style geometric art.
01 July 2023
Join artist Gail Bell and try painting on glass and Perspex using a variety of tools and techniques.
05 July 2023
06 July 2023
Find out about the Sage King of Korea and make your own super sparkly crown.
08 July 2023
12 July 2023
13 July 2023
Create a unique artwork inspired by our new exhibition remembering the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.
15 July 2023
As a part of the Summer in the City Arts Festival, rebuild Durham city centre in this creative workshop, use your hands to build a new city centre with clay, playdough and your wildest imagination.
16 July 2023
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
19 July 2023
The two nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki unquestionably altered the course of the twentieth century. Yet their impact was not predetermined in August of 1945 but unfolded in historically-contingent ways over several decades.
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Lecture theatre 009 Elvet Hill House, adjacent to the Oriental Museum
20 July 2023
As a part of the Summer in the City Arts Festival and in celebration of his new temporary exhibition 'Spatial Objects', join artist Dan Holdsworth on a tour of this exhibition at Durham Castle.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
See our newest Ancient Egyptian object on display - a huge plaster cast of a temple wall and make an Ancient Egyptian collage featuring the crocodile-headed god, Sobek.
22 July 2023
Part of Summer in the City Art Festival 2023, learn how to sculpt monsters and grotesque creatures in this workshop with artist Paul Raymond.
25 July 2023
26 July 2023
As a Part of the Summer in the City Art Festival and the Durham Fringe Festival, come along to Cosin’s Library to view 18th century prints inspired by the works of Shakespeare.
26 July 2023 - 11 September 2023
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Bishop Cosin‘s Library, Palace Green
Find out about tea in China and decorate a paper tea bowl.
27 July 2023
Charlotte Spink, Learning Coordinator with the Learning and Engagement Team will be joined by members of Durham Archaeology Explorers (archaeology club for children aged 7 - 11 years) to talk about the group’s recent activities and why community archaeology groups are so important for inspiring the archaeologists and historians of the future.
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Pop along to our handling station and get hands on with some museum objects unearthed by archaeologists with the help of our Learning Team. Why not bring in your own finds to show us too.
28 July 2023
Celebrate International Tiger Day: Spot the tiny tiger in the museum and make a tiger-tastic collage.
29 July 2023
Join us for a creative workshop with artist Noriko Matsubara and try chigiri-e, the traditional Japanese art of hand torn paper collaging. Noriko will take participants through the step-by-step process of designing and creating their own unique chigiri-e torn paper collage.
A special live online event with testimony from a survivor of the bombing of Hiroshima.
01 August 2023
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
online only
Join us on a self-guided day and experience history and tales from 1000 years of living history.
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
02 August 2023
Japanese origami cranes are a symbol of hope. Drop in and learn how to make a paper crane. See how many you can make.
See our super cute rabbit toy Molang on display and make your own pom-pom character.
04 August 2023
Find out about Japanese lucky cats and make your own to take home.
05 August 2023
08 August 2023
09 August 2023
Spot an ancient glass bottle on display and paint your own glass jar.
Learn about the Chinese terracotta army, and make your own terracotta warrior from clay.
11 August 2023
Learn all about how spices were traded along the Silk Roads and make scented pictures from herbs and spices.
12 August 2023
15 August 2023
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?”
16 August 2023 - 31 May 2024
Outdoor Art Gallery, Bill Byson Square, DH1 3LY
16 August 2023
Have fun and experiment with our exciting drawing challenges.
Join us for some fun, FREE autism-friendly crafts for families at the Oriental Museum.
17 August 2023
Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. We have an additional evening opening 31st August.
Spot the Ancient Egyptian scarab beetles on display and make your own from clay.
18 August 2023
Find out about cuneiform, one the world's oldest forms of writing and try writing your own inscription.
19 August 2023
23 August 2023
Explore the archaeology of the Indus Valley people and make a clay animal figure.
24 August 2023
Founded in 1669, Cosin’s Library is one of the earliest public libraries in the North of England. In this talk, we will explore why Bishop John Cosin created this library and why it is so significant.
Palace Green Library, Durham, DH1 3RN
Come and see some beautiful tiles on display and paint your own tile to take home.
25 August 2023
Make a mini paper carpet inspired by colours and patterns in our Silk Roads Gallery.
26 August 2023
29 August 2023
30 August 2023
This lecture by world-renowned curator and expert on Chinese ceramics, Rose Kerr, draws on themes from three of her recent books.
31 August 2023
Lecture room EH009, adjacent to the Oriental Museum
Find out how we stop pests from munching through the museum and make your own museum bug.
02 September 2023
Inspired by summer, seaside walks and local landmarks, join us for a creative workshop led by artist Wendy Parkin and and creative you own unique ice-cream and Fab! lolly artwork.
05 September 2023
06 September 2023
07 September 2023
Find out how paper was invented and make your own 3D paper sculpture.
09 September 2023
Join us for a family friendly object handling session at the Oriental Museum.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 there has been a concerted effort to record the experiences of those who survived.
10 September 2023
A self-guided visit to Durham Castle to enjoy the historic and beautiful surroundings at your own pace. Activities for children, games and dressing up to be provided in the Great Hall.
13 September 2023
Conservators will be showing some of the tools and techniques of the kind of traditional hand bookbinding found in Cosin's Library.
Cosin‘s Library, Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RN
Visit our small World Heritage Site courtyard garden and make a small scented sachet using herbs Shakespeare names in his plays, in celebration of the 400 year anniversary of his First Folio.
14 September 2023
12:00 AM - 2:00 PM
7 Owengate, Durham DH1 3HB
Join the Curator of the Museum of Archaeology for a guided tour of our exhibition exploring the Prehistoric and Roman history of Durham.
16 September 2023
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Museum of Archaeology
Find out about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year festival, and make a shofar musical instrument.
Sign up on the day at Palace Green Library for a free tour of Durham Castle.
17 September 2023
11:15 AM - 4:15 PM
20 September 2023
21 September 2023
"Speed Arting" makes networking more enjoyable and creative, enjoy a fun and informal atmosphere to maximize connection and minimise anxiety.
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Get into autumn and try weaving your own artwork from a range of natural materials.
23 September 2023
27 September 2023
28 September 2023
Bob Middlemass and the late Rolfe Mitchinson are known as the Pirecebridge Divers. Over 30 years, they recovered nearly 4,000 objects from the riverbed at Piercebridge. In this talk, Bob will talk about diving and finding this remarkable collection.
An exhibition celebrating the work of emerging contemporary artists and designers from the Middle East and North Africa recently acquired by the Oriental Museum.
29 September 2023 - 12 May 2024
Design your own Japanese-style fan.
30 September 2023
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.
02 October 2023
1:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Durham Caste
03 October 2023
04 October 2023
06 October 2023
Inspired by the Oriental Museum's collection of film posters, make your own fantasy film poster with you as the star.
07 October 2023
08 October 2023
09 October 2023
10 October 2023
11 October 2023
12 October 2023
13 October 2023
Explore our new art exhibition and make your own piece of Pop Art.
14 October 2023
15 October 2023
16 October 2023
17 October 2023
18 October 2023
19 October 2023
The Oriental Museum would like to welcome all neurodivergent students to Durham for the start of the new term. So whether you are a fresher looking to meet new friends, or a returning student you can join us on Thursday 19 October, 5-7pm when the galleries are generally quieter. You will be able to explore the museum galleries and have fun making your very own Chinese-inspired pot from clay.
20 October 2023
Spot the Japanese fans on display and decorate your own fan to take home.
21 October 2023
22 October 2023
23 October 2023
24 October 2023
25 October 2023
A Friends of the Oriental Museum lecture by Crispin Paine MA FMA FSA, Visiting Fellow, Open University
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Elvet Hill House 009
26 October 2023
Church Commissioners' files reveal the negotiations behind many of the developments within South Shields during the first half of the last century. Join archivist Andrew Gray for a virtual tour through these archives, taking in the sights, smells and social conditions of early 20th century South Shields.
27 October 2023
Celebrate autumn and make a wish under our community Banyan tree then create your own leafy autumn creature.
28 October 2023
A North East Ancient Egypt Society and Friends of the Oriental Museum joint study day.
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Elvet Hill House 009, adjacent to the Oriental Museum
Steady your nerves for a unique and atmospheric family tour around Durham Castle!
29 October 2023
12:45 PM - 5:00 PM
01 November 2023
Learn about the Oriental Museum sundial and make your own to take home.
Join us for some fun, autism-friendly crafts for families at the Oriental Museum when the galleries are quieter. Explore the museum galleries and get creative with some super lego!
02 November 2023
Calling all craft kids and grown-ups! Help us prepare for Diwali and make some colourful decorations to display in the museum.
03 November 2023
Come and see the Ancient Egyptian jewellery on display and make your own Egyptian collar necklace.
04 November 2023
08 November 2023
A Friends of the Oriental Museum event with speaker Ms Tanju Sen, Volunteer, Oriental Museum
It’s that time of year again, The STUDENT ART PRIZE is back for 2023/24! We would like to invite you to find out more about the prize and launch this year’s theme of PARADISE.
09 November 2023
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Palatine Centre Durham University Stockton Road Durham DH1 3LE
Find out about Japanese Noh theatre and decorate your own theatre mask.
11 November 2023
Create a prick and stitch Christmas card or flower bookmark using metallic thread.
Celebrate the Hindu festival of lights with this special late night opening. Visitors can enjoy traditional puja prayers to the goddess Lakshmi, music delicious food, games and more.
14 November 2023
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
15 November 2023
1:15 PM - 3:15 PM
16 November 2023
17 November 2023
Drop in for a faith object handling session and try fun craft activities.
18 November 2023
20 November 2023
21 November 2023
22 November 2023
23 November 2023
This talk, accompanied by images from its archive collection, will explore ten facts about the University’s story that you (probably) weren’t aware of, and trace the evolution of a unique institution.
Explore our new art exhibition and design your own protest poster for something you care about.
25 November 2023
26 November 2023
The 2023 Annual General Meeting
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
27 November 2023
28 November 2023
29 November 2023
30 November 2023
01 December 2023
1:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Spot a very special red robe on display and make your own red artwork.
02 December 2023
03 December 2023
04 December 2023
05 December 2023
06 December 2023
07 December 2023
Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st Thursday of every month.
08 December 2023
Castle Community Action are so excited to invite you to University College JCR’s upcoming Christmas Community Day on the 9th December.
09 December 2023
Check out the 700 year old Buddha head on display and then make a mandala, a traditional form of Buddhist art.
Join us for a unique visit to Durham Castle for the whole family to celebrate the festive season.
10 December 2023
13 December 2023
Palace Green Library is open until 7pm the 4th Thursday of every month (with the exception of December).
14 December 2023
15 December 2023
Find out how Christmas is celebrated around the world and decorate ceramic Christmas decorations to take home.
16 December 2023
17 December 2023
18 December 2023
19 December 2023
20 December 2023
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