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

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.

• Exhibitions
• 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 the Durham Fringe Festival, come along to Cosin’s Library to view 18th century prints inspired by the works of Shakespeare.

• 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

Find out how we stop pests from munching through the museum and make your own museum bug.

• Creative
• Everyone

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.

• Workshop
• Everyone

Join us on a self-guided day and experience history and tales from 1000 years of living history.

• Public
• Tour
• 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

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

Join us on a self-guided day and experience history and tales from 1000 years of living history.

• Public
• Tour
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

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

• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Find out how paper was invented and make your own 3D paper sculpture.

• Creative
• Everyone

Join us for a family friendly object handling session at the Oriental Museum.

• Accessible
• Public
• Family friendly
• Children and families

Since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 there has been a concerted effort to record the experiences of those who survived.

• Partnerships & Collaboration
• Public
• Talks, training, seminars & conferences
• Everyone

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.

• Public
• 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

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

Conservators will be showing some of the tools and techniques of the kind of traditional hand bookbinding found in Cosin's Library.

• Public
• Everyone

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.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Public
• Workshop
• Everyone

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

• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

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

• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

Join the Curator of the Museum of Archaeology for a guided tour of our exhibition exploring the Prehistoric and Roman history of Durham.

• Accessible
• Public
• Tour
• Everyone

Find out about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year festival, and make a shofar musical instrument.

• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Everyone

Sign up on the day at Palace Green Library for a free tour of Durham Castle.

• Public
• Tour
• 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

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

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

• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

"Speed Arting" makes networking more enjoyable and creative, enjoy a fun and informal atmosphere to maximize connection and minimise anxiety.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Partnerships & Collaboration
• Public
• Everyone

Get into autumn and try weaving your own artwork from a range of natural materials.

• Creative
• Outreach & community
• 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

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

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

• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

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

• Exhibitions
• Lates
• Public
• Everyone

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.

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

Design your own Japanese-style fan.

• Creative
• Outreach & community
• Everyone