What’s On Events Calendar
Penned and Printed
27 May 2023 - 31 March 2025
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Historic Libraries
An exhibition of our Archives and Special Collections, telling hidden stories from the shelves and strongrooms.
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Student Art Prize 2023/34: Paradise
01 May 2024 - 31 March 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Palatine Centre, Art Collection
Visit the Student Art Prize 2023/24 exhibition and explore this years theme of Paradise.
- Creative
- Everyone
Toy Box: celebrating toys and games across cultures
23 May 2024 - 15 September 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
A student-led, family-friendly summer exhibition showcasing toys from across Asia and Egypt to celebrate a simple fact of humanity: we all love to play.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Eternal Ascent: Bentley Beetham and the 1924 Mount Everest Expedition
24 May 2024 - 15 September 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
This exhibition marks the centenary of the 1924 Mount Everest Expedition, the first Western, and ultimately tragic, attempt to climb the highest mountain in the world.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Partnerships & Collaboration
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Under Durham: The Untold Stories
24 May 2024 - 21 November 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
When you think about the history of Durham, what comes to mind? Beautiful architecture, rich and powerful people and the history you find in textbooks. But how often do we stop and think about the lives of ordinary people? This exhibition explores the past of Durham through the ordinary people who lived and worked here.
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Repair and Care: The Norman Chapel Project
24 May 2024 - 17 November 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Durham Castle
Have you ever looked at an ancient castle and wondered how it’s still standing? This exhibition will explore the history of construction and building conservation at Durham Castle, with a particular focus on the Norman Chapel Project, a long-term endeavour to preserve the oldest free-standing building in Durham.
- Exhibition
- Everyone
DU Poetry Society 'Living Objects'
31 May 2024 - 30 September 2024
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum, Art Collection
Living Objects shows a display of poems by DU Poetry Society
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Children and families
- Everyone
- Friends of the Oriental Museum
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
- Local and family historians
- School students
- Students in HE
- Teachers / Home Educators
- Young People
Festival of Archaeology Fun
13 July 2024 - 13 July 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Handle some archaeological finds from Ancient Egypt and China and try our special archaeology trail.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Archaeological Illustration for All at the Museum of Archaeology
14 July 2024 - 14 July 2024
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
Join us on Sunday, 14th July from 1-4pm at the Museum of Archaeology for a unique opportunity to learn about archaeological illustration. Part of the Festival of Archaeology, this event is free and open to everyone—no experience necessary.
- Creative
- Festival
- Holiday activities
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Lego Fun: Autism-Friendly Family Activities
18 July 2024 - 18 July 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join us for some autism-friendly lego fun for families at the Oriental Museum when the galleries are quieter.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Workshop
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Portrait and Figure Drawing with Isabel Gotti 4. Figure Quicksketch
19 July 2024 - 19 July 2024
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
7 Owengate, Art Collection
Want to sharpen your drawing skills or draw? Join our Arts Social with Durham University's Art Collection for a tutored drawing session.
- Creative
- Everyone
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
- Students in HE
Yak-tastic!
20 July 2024 - 20 July 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Did you know that yaks were a vital part of the first attempts to climb Mount Everest? Find out why and make cute yak puppet.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Festival of Archaeology: Embroidery Workshop
21 July 2024 - 21 July 2024
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
7 Owengate, Museum of Archaeology, Art Collection
Explore Durham University’s Museum of Archaeology Greek and Roman collections with artist Sarah Li in this unique workshop. Delve into LGBTQIA+ histories, engage in Queer storytelling, and create your own piece of embroidery.
- Creative
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Festival
- Holiday activities
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Everyone
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
- Students in HE
Festival of Archaeology: Romans Take Over Day
21 July 2024 - 21 July 2024
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
Be part of the Festival of Archaeology and DUScience100 with a family-friendly event at the Museum of Archaeology. Join Out There Adventures Living History Team as they bring Roman archaeology to life, and meet our curators who will share fascinating insights into our collections.
- Holiday activities
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Think of a door: A creative workshop led by the artist Zara Worth
26 July 2024 - 26 July 2024
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
7 Owengate, Art Collection
A creative workshop led by the artist Zara Worth for 7 - 14 year olds!
- Creative
- Holiday activities
- Workshop
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- School students
- Young People
Toy Box
27 July 2024 - 27 July 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Explore our new exhibition, try our new playful gallery trail and make your own game.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Sketchbook Workshop
31 July 2024 - 31 July 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Get a free mini sketchbook and try some easy, fun drawing ideas.
- Workshop
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Awesome Armies
02 August 2024 - 02 August 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Learn about the Chinese terracotta army, and make your own terracotta warrior from clay.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Terrible Teeth
03 August 2024 - 03 August 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out why many Ancient Egyptians had terrible teeth and make a set of chompers from plasticine.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Gorgeous Glass
07 August 2024 - 07 August 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Decorate a glass jar with your favourite colours.
- 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.