What’s On Events Calendar
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Binding the Bard
04 April 2025 - 02 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Historic Libraries
An exhibition of the entrants to our international bookbinding competition.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Everyone
Shakespeare Recovered: Durham's First Folio
04 April 2025 - 02 November 2025
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Historic Libraries
This year, our iconic book takes centre stage at Palace Green Library.
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Everyone
Weaving Stories: From Community Hands and Hearts
24 May 2025 - 14 September 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
A vibrant exhibition celebrating the creativity and voices of community groups who regularly collaborate with the Oriental Museum.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Little Dragons
11 June 2025 - 11 June 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Oriental Museum
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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Telling Tales: Making Stories Come to Life
13 June 2025 - 09 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Experience the joy and wonder of storytelling through the Oriental Museum’s new summer exhibition, Telling Tales Making Stories Come to Life.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Enchanted Objects: Adornment and Personal Protection from Amulets to the Mobile Phone
13 June 2025 - 09 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Contemporary artist Dinah Kelly shines a light on the protective powers and symbolism of charms, talismans and amulets.
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Everyone
Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore
14 June 2025 - 02 November 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Historic Libraries
Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore is a free exhibition which explores the development of storytelling throughout Historic County Durham.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Holiday activities
- Public
- Children and families
- Everyone
Amulet Making Workshop
14 June 2025 - 14 June 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Learn about amulets and talismans and make your own pendant.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
18 June 2025 - 18 June 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Oriental Museum
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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Telling Tales
21 June 2025 - 21 June 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Check out our amazing new temporary exhibition Telling Tales and make a storyboard of your favourite story.
- Creative
- Outreach & community
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
25 June 2025 - 25 June 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Oriental Museum
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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Twilight Talks - Beasts and Legends: Adventures through North East Folklore, Curating the Exhibition
26 June 2025 - 26 June 2025
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Historic Libraries, Museum of Archaeology
Join the Beasts and Legends student exhibition team at Palace Green Library as they share their experiences of curating the exhibition. Discover artefacts from Durham University’s collections, objects on loan from Durham Cathedral, and collaborative artworks by local artist Ruth Flowers.
- Lecture
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Everyone
P'ungmul Music Performance and Family Activities
28 June 2025 - 28 June 2025
12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Experience a FREE South Korean drumming performance presented by students from the Durham University P'ungmul Society and try writing a secret code in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. After the performance, you will have the opportunity to try out the instruments yourself! Please note: The drumming performance will be loud and last 15 minutes. Sensory bags are available on request. The craft activities will be taking place in a quieter area.
- Public
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
02 July 2025 - 02 July 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Oriental Museum
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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
Ride the Wave
05 July 2025 - 05 July 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Spot the boats in the museum and make 3D sea sculpture.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
09 July 2025 - 09 July 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Oriental Museum
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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
The Path of Kindness
12 July 2025 - 12 July 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Discover the latest scientific research we've been doing on a very special statue of Guanyin and use your imagination to recreate how it might have looked like 500 years ago.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Printing Workshop
12 July 2025 - 12 July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Experiment with shape and colour and create a unique print on fabric.
- Workshop
- Everyone
Little Dragons
16 July 2025 - 16 July 2025
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Oriental Museum
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
- Family friendly
- Under 5s
FANtastic!
19 July 2025 - 19 July 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Make a beautiful fan to help you stay cool over the summer!
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
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.