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
Portrait and Figure Drawing with Isabel Gotti 2.Facial Features
05 July 2024 - 05 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
Tanabata Festival
06 July 2024 - 06 July 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Tanabata is the Japanese summer star festival. Find out about this special time of year and make tanabata decorations.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Silk Painting Workshop
06 July 2024 - 06 July 2024
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Join us for a creative workshop led by artist Gail Bell and design your own silk painting.
- Workshop
- Everyone
MG Car Display
07 July 2024 - 07 July 2024
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Botanic Garden
The Durham MG & Classic Car Club was formed in 2001 for local car enthusiasts interested in MG cars, both classic and modern. This informal gathering will showcase cars representing models produced from the late 1940s through to the early 2000s.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
Durham Art Collective
10 July 2024 - 10 July 2024
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
7 Owengate, Art Collection
A youth group for 12-18 year olds to learn practical art skills.
- Creative
- School students
Portrait and Figure Drawing with Isabel Gotti 3. Figure Drawing Crash Course
12 July 2024 - 12 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
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
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
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
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.