What’s On
Find out what’s on at our venues across Durham. From major exhibitions to family friendly craft sessions, tours, lectures and art workshops. We have something to interest everyone. You can also find out more about our regular groups and online exhibitions and events.
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Special exhibitions
Explore exciting events and exhibitions across our venues.
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Voices: contemporary art and craft from the Middle East and North Africa
An exhibition celebrating the work of emerging contemporary artists and designers recently acquired by the Oriental Museum.
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Welcome the Year of the Dragon
Find out more about traditional Spring Festival celebrations in China and see enjoy amazing dragon themed artefacts in the Oriental Museum collections
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Penned and Printed
An exhibition of our Archives and Special Collections, telling hidden stories from the shelves and strongrooms.
Voices: contemporary art and craft from the Middle East and North Africa
An exhibition celebrating the work of emerging contemporary artists and designers recently acquired by the Oriental Museum.
Welcome the Year of the Dragon
Find out more about traditional Spring Festival celebrations in China and see enjoy amazing dragon themed artefacts in the Oriental Museum collections
Penned and Printed
An exhibition of our Archives and Special Collections, telling hidden stories from the shelves and strongrooms.
Holi Festival
Welcome the spring season!
Holi is the Indian Spring Festival, also known as the Festival of Colours, because one of the ways to celebrate is to throw brightly coloured powders over your friends and family! Join us on this special day to enjoy powder throwing sessions, craft activities, storytelling, music, rangoli drawing and more.
Book your tickets now
Upcoming events
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Holi Festival
Saturday 23 March, 202412:00 PM to 5:00 PMOriental Museum.jpg)
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Twilight Talk: Norman Cornish The Test of Time
Thursday 28 March, 20245:30 PM to 6:30 PMMuseum of Archaeology, Historic Libraries, Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
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Twilight Opening at Palace Green Library
Thursday 28 March, 20245:00 PM to 7:00 PMMuseum of Archaeology, Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre.jpg)
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Paper Playground
Saturday 30 March, 20241:00 PM to 3:00 PMOriental Museum
Holi Festival
Saturday 23 March, 2024
12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Oriental Museum
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Twilight Talk: Norman Cornish The Test of Time
Thursday 28 March, 2024
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Museum of Archaeology, Historic Libraries, Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
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Twilight Opening at Palace Green Library
Thursday 28 March, 2024
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology, Durham World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
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Paper Playground
Saturday 30 March, 2024
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
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Online exhibitions
Explore our collections from home with our online exhibition programme.
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Journeys: Reading the World
Explore themes of travel, adventure and exploration using the rare books, diaries, maps and letters in Palace Green Library special collections.
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Hidden Stories From the River Wear
Explore the collections of underwater archaeologist, Gary Bankhead, in an exhibition by students from Durham University.
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Taxila in Focus: 100 years Since Marshall
This exhibition focuses on the ancient site of Taxila, around 32 kilometres from Pakistan’s federal capital, Islamabad.
Journeys: Reading the World
Explore themes of travel, adventure and exploration using the rare books, diaries, maps and letters in Palace Green Library special collections.
Hidden Stories From the River Wear
Explore the collections of underwater archaeologist, Gary Bankhead, in an exhibition by students from Durham University.
Taxila in Focus: 100 years Since Marshall
This exhibition focuses on the ancient site of Taxila, around 32 kilometres from Pakistan’s federal capital, Islamabad.
Join our Friends
Our Botanic Garden, Oriental Museum and Palace Green Library all have Friends organisations which organise events and lectures including special members-only experiences.
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Regular activities
Durham University Library and Collections offer a range of fun, engaging and accessible workshops, resources and experiences for people of all ages.
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Creative Age
Creative Age is a free, weekly art group for people living with dementia or other long-term health challenges and their carers.
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Durham Archaeology Explorers
Our archaeology club for children aged 7 - 11, meeting monthly at the Oriental Museum as well as trips to local archaeological and heritage sites.
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Little Dragons
Come along to Little Dragons under-fives group and explore the Oriental Museum's fantastic collections and exhibitions.
Creative Age
Creative Age is a free, weekly art group for people living with dementia or other long-term health challenges and their carers.
Durham Archaeology Explorers
Our archaeology club for children aged 7 - 11, meeting monthly at the Oriental Museum as well as trips to local archaeological and heritage sites.
Little Dragons
Come along to Little Dragons under-fives group and explore the Oriental Museum's fantastic collections and exhibitions.
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