What’s On Events Calendar

Enjoy our new special exhibition exploring the rich prehistoric and Roman archaeology of Durham.

• Exhibitions
• Everyone

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

An exhibition of our Archives and Special Collections, telling hidden stories from the shelves and strongrooms.

• Exhibition
• Everyone

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.

• Exhibition
• Everyone

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

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

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 about the Oriental Museum sundial and make your own to take home.

• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

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

• Accessible
• Exhibition
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

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!

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

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

• Outreach & community
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Come and see the Ancient Egyptian jewellery on display and make your own Egyptian collar necklace.

• 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

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

• Accessible
• Exhibition
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

A Friends of the Oriental Museum event with speaker Ms Tanju Sen, Volunteer, Oriental Museum

• Lecture
• Friends of the 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.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Public
• Everyone

Find out about Japanese Noh theatre and decorate your own theatre mask.

• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Create a prick and stitch Christmas card or flower bookmark using metallic thread.

• Workshop
• Everyone

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.

• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Partnerships & Collaboration
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone
• Friends of the Oriental Museum
• Under 5s
• 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

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

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

• Accessible
• Exhibition
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

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

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

Drop in for a faith object handling session and try fun craft activities.

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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.

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

Explore our new art exhibition and design your own protest poster for something you care about.

• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

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

The 2023 Annual General Meeting

• Charity & volunteering
• Friends of the Oriental Museum

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

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

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 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

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