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.
Museum of Archaeology Gallery
01 January 2022 - 01 December 2023
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology, Historic Libraries
Enjoy our new special exhibition exploring the rich prehistoric and Roman archaeology of Durham.
- Exhibitions
- Everyone
Photographing Tutankhamun
09 December 2022 - 17 July 2023
12:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Outdoor Art Gallery
This exhibition explores how photography turned Tutankhamun into a global sensation. It shows the most famous photographic images in archaeology, from the most famous of archaeological finds: the tomb of Tutankhamun. Marking the 100th anniversary of the tomb’s discovery in November 1922, this exhibition created by Durham University academic, Prof Christina Riggs, examines the striking images created by photographer Harry Burton during the decade-long excavation.
- Exhibitions
- Everyone
Student Art Prize Exhibition 2022/23
01 May 2023 - 18 March 2024
10:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Palatine Centre
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
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
Little Dragons
31 May 2023 - 31 May 2023
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
Little Dragons
31 May 2023 - 31 May 2023
10:45 AM - 11:45 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
Awesome Archers
31 May 2023 - 31 May 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out about our archers' thumb rings and make a mini bow and arrow set to take home.
- Creative
- Holiday activities
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Everyone
Fragments from History exhibition tour
01 June 2023 - 01 June 2023
3:15 AM - 4:15 PM
Durham Castle
Learn more about the current exhibition hosted inside Durham Castle and have more time to enjoy it at the end of a standard tour.
- Exhibition
- Public
- Tour
- Everyone
Twilight Opening at Oriental Museum
01 June 2023 - 01 June 2023
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Oriental Museum is open until 7pm the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.
- Exhibitions
- Lates
- Public
- Everyone
Ancient Egyptian Shabti Making Workshop
02 June 2023 - 02 June 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out why the Ancient Egyptians placed shabti figures inside their tombs and create your own shabti from clay.
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Everyone
Beautiful Birds
03 June 2023 - 03 June 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Spot the magical hintha bird on display and make your own feathery friend to take home.
- Creative
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Holiday activities
- Outreach & community
- Public
- 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.