What’s On Events Calendar
Journey of a Century: From the Forbidden City to the Palace Museum
26 September 2025 - 31 May 2026
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Jointly organised by the Palace Museum and the Oriental Museum
- Exhibition
- Exhibitions
- Public
- Family friendly
- Global
- Everyone
Little Dragons
12 November 2025 - 12 November 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
Family Activities: Glow Art Workshop
15 November 2025 - 15 November 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Spot a cool green, glowing chandelier and make your own glow-in-the-dark artwork.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
19 November 2025 - 19 November 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
Pilgrim Souvenirs: Book Launch and Talk (Morning)
22 November 2025 - 22 November 2025
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
Discover Durham’s hidden treasures: Gary Bankhead reveals 700 years of faith through pilgrim souvenirs from the River Wear.
- Lecture
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Everyone
Family Activities: Ancient Egyptian Mighty Maces
22 November 2025 - 22 November 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Maces were used in Ancient Egypt as signs of power. Make your very own stick of power!
- Accessible
- Creative
- Holiday activities
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Pilgrim Souvenirs: Book Launch and Talk (Afternoon)
22 November 2025 - 22 November 2025
2:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Museum of Archaeology
Discover Durham’s hidden treasures: Gary Bankhead reveals 700 years of faith through pilgrim souvenirs from the River Wear.
- Lecture
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Everyone
Echoes of Friendship: the Squire Family in Meiji Era Japan
25 November 2025 - 22 March 2026
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
A story of cultural exchange and enduring connection
- Exhibitions
- Everyone
Little Dragons
26 November 2025 - 26 November 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 - Away From Home: The Untold Stories of Women Football Fans
27 November 2025 - 27 November 2025
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Museum of Archaeology
Join curator David Wright to find out more about our new exhibition Away From Home: The Untold Stories of Women Football Fans.
- Lecture
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Everyone
Family Activities: Riding through Time!
29 November 2025 - 29 November 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Hop on to the life-size ancient chariot at the Oriental Museum and craft your own mini chariot to take away.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Saturnalia Trail
01 December 2025 - 04 January 2026
11:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Museum of Archaeology
Explore the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia.
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
03 December 2025 - 03 December 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
Saturday Archaeological Illustration Club-Small Finds Illustration
06 December 2025 - 06 December 2025
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
Join the Saturday Archaeological Illustration Club to develop your skills in archaeological illustration. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned illustrator, these sessions offer a chance to refine your technique, interact with real artefacts, and engage with the archaeology community in a relaxed, informal environment.
- Creative
- Outreach & community
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Everyone
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
- Local and family historians
- Students in HE
Family Activities: Museum Bugs
06 December 2025 - 06 December 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out how we stop pests from eating the museum's precious collections and make your own museum bug.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
10 December 2025 - 10 December 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
Family Activities: Windows on the World
13 December 2025 - 13 December 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Explore our Silk Roads gallery, see our beautiful Islamic window grill and make a window decoration.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Little Dragons
17 December 2025 - 17 December 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
Family Activities: Countdown to Christmas craft workshop
20 December 2025 - 20 December 2025
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Find out how Christmas is celebrated around the world and decorate a Christmas decoration to take home.
- Accessible
- Creative
- Family friendly
- Children and families
- Everyone
Saturday Archaeological Illustration Club-Ceramics and Glass
07 February 2026 - 07 February 2026
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology
Join the Saturday Archaeological Illustration Club to develop your skills in archaeological illustration. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned illustrator, these sessions offer a chance to refine your technique, interact with real artefacts, and engage with the archaeology community in a relaxed, informal environment.
- Creative
- Public
- Talks, training, seminars & conferences
- Everyone
- Lifelong Learners and Community groups
- Local and family historians
- Students in HE
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.