What’s On Events Calendar

An exhibition of our Archives and Special Collections, telling hidden stories from the shelves and strongrooms.

• Exhibition
• Everyone

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

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

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

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

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

Explore our beautiful Ancient Egyptian perfume jars, make up items and jewellery.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us for quizzes and art games in the pub!

• Creative
• Lates
• Public
• Student experience
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• Local and family historians
• Students in HE

Find out about the Indian tradition of Rangoli art, and make your own.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.

• Creative
• School students
• Young People

Dive into The Dynamic Universe of Gel Printing!

• Creative
• Lates
• Workshop
• Everyone
• Lifelong Learners and Community groups
• School students
• Students in HE
• Teachers / Home Educators
• Young People

Find out about teru teru bozu - the famous Japanese weather doll and have a go at making one.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

Join us for some fun, autism-friendly crafts for families at the Oriental Museum when the galleries are quieter. Experiment with ways of folding, scrunching and sticking to make your own paper sculpture.

• Accessible
• Creative
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Outreach & community
• Public
• Workshop
• Family friendly
• Children and families
• Everyone

Explore our new exhibition all about play and toys, then try making your own game.

• Family friendly
• Children and families

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

Explore the Oriental Museum's collection of Japanese Manga comics and create your own to take home.

• Family friendly
• Children and families