What’s On Events Calendar
Building closure - upcoming dates
Due to extensive roofing works at Palace Green Library, there will be times when we have to close the building to visitors between summer 2024 and spring 2025, with no access to Museum of Archaeology, Cosin’s Library, Penned and Printed exhibition and World Heritage Site Visitor Centre.
Visit our Tickets and Times pages at each venue for more information.
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. (Please note, access to this exhibition will be affected by the upcoming Palace Green Library closure dates.)
- Exhibition
- Everyone
Beautiful Durham
16 August 2023 - 31 May 2024
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Outdoor Art Gallery, Art Collection
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
Voices: contemporary art and craft from the Middle East and North Africa
29 September 2023 - 12 May 2024
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
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
Little Dragons
17 April 2024 - 08 May 2024
9:30 AM - 10:30 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
- Under 5s
Little Dragons
17 April 2024 - 08 May 2024
10:45 AM - 10:45 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
- Under 5s
Little Dragons
24 April 2024 - 15 May 2024
9:30 AM - 10:30 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
- Under 5s
Twilight Opening at Palace Green Library
25 April 2024 - 09 May 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre, Historic Libraries, Museum of Archaeology
Palace Green Library is open until 7pm the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.
- Accessible
- Exhibition
- Lates
- Public
- 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
Durham Castle Guided Tours
03 May 2024 - 03 May 2024
1:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Durham Castle
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
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.