What’s On Events Calendar

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

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

Easter Chicks are hiding in the Garden. Pick up your spotter sheet and see how many you can find in this fun family event. Self-led activity.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

Take a look at some x-rays of the Ancient Egyptian animal mummies.

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

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

• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Spot the magical hintha bird on display and make your own feathery friend to take home. 

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

It’s war and peace on the World Heritage Site on Wednesday 10th April!

• Public
• Family friendly
• 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 to celebrate World Heritage Day at Durham Castle with a free Self-Guided day and Norman re-enactment.

• Open days & visits
• Tour
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Check out our brand new China Gallery displays!

• Creative
• Family friendly
• Children and families

A Friends of the Oriental Museum lecture by Colin Sheaf, Chairman of the Sir Percival David Foundation

• Lecture
• Friends of the Oriental Museum

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

• Accessible
• Exhibition
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Vaisakhi is the Sikh New Year festival.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr at the Oriental Museum and join us for an afternoon of arts and crafts, food and readings on Saturday 13 April 2023, 12.00 – 3.00pm.

• Festival
• Everyone

Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr and join us for an afternoon of arts and crafts, delicious food and readings. Everyone welcome.

• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Festival
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone
• School students
• Students in HE
• Under 5s
• Young People

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.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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