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Event Venues

Audience

Price

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.

Show Past Events

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

Flaming Flies

04 January 2025 - 04 January 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Selfie Art

11 January 2025 - 11 January 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Blue On White

11 January 2025 - 11 January 2025

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

Winter Wonderland

18 January 2025 - 18 January 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

Islamic Art Workshop

25 January 2025 - 25 January 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Weaving Workshop

01 February 2025 - 01 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Crowd Craft: Lantern Festival

08 February 2025 - 08 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Lantern Festival

12 February 2025 - 12 February 2025

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Oriental Museum

Our annual Lantern Festival at the Oriental Museum celebrates the beginning of the new lunar year.

  • Family friendly
  • Everyone

Cool Cats

15 February 2025 - 15 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Knock Knock ... Who's There?

22 February 2025 - 22 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Ancient Egyptian Sculpture Workshop

26 February 2025 - 26 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

Artist Scavenger Hunt

26 February 2025 - 26 February 2025

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Oriental Museum, Art Collection

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

  • Creative
  • Everyone

Make a Monoprint

28 February 2025 - 28 February 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

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

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Celebrate Hina Matsuri

01 March 2025 - 01 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

See a traditional set of Japanese Hina Matsuri dolls - only displayed for a short time each year in the run up the Hina Matsuri - and create your own Emperor or Empress doll to take home.

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Fire and Bone

08 March 2025 - 08 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

Find out about Chinese oracle bones and write a secret message using ancient symbols.

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Holi Festival

15 March 2025 - 15 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

Welcome the spring season to Durham with Holi Festival!

  • Festival
  • Everyone

The Ancient Persians

22 March 2025 - 22 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

Learn about the Ancient Persians, spot a 2500 year old silver bowl and try simple foil embossing.

  • Family friendly
  • Children and families

Make a Canopic Jar

29 March 2025 - 29 March 2025

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Oriental Museum

Find out about Ancient Egyptian mummification and make your own canopic jar.

  • 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.

Children sitting at a table and smiling during an event