What's On

Durham Cathedral's central tower is open to the public again after a three year closure for a major conservation project. The reopening is sponsored by Baldwins Accountants. Climb the 325 steps of the central tower to enjoy fantastic views over the historic Durham City and the surrounding countryside. You'll also get a close look at the repair works on the tower's parapet, which involved our small team of expert in-house stonemasons carve and install new hand-carved stone to replace weathered Victorian sandstone.

This exhibition in Open Treasure, Durham Cathedral's award-winning museum experience, traces the history of Vikings in North East England. It tells the story of the devastating raids on Lindisfarne in 793 AD, and how the Community of St Cuthbert searched for a safe home for their saint after leaving Lindisfarne in 875 AD. We also examine how, over a period of over 200 years, the Vikings invaders and later settlers shaped the political and cultural landscape of Northumbria through raids, trade and conquest.

Develop your child’s love of the outdoors by exploring Durham Cathedral’s woodlands and riverbanks in tailored sessions for little learners, led by Durham Cathedral’s Education team.

6 sessions on Friday mornings: Friday 7, 14, 21, 28 June, 12 and 19 July from 9.45-11.45am. 

Develop your child’s love of the outdoors by exploring Durham Cathedral’s woodlands and riverbanks in tailored sessions for little learners, led by Durham Cathedral’s Education team.

6 Friday afternoon sessions: Friday 7, 14, 21, 28 June, 12 & 19 July from 1-3pm. 

Durham Brass Festival present a thrilling new transcription of Verdi's choral masterpiece for brass band and choir. The brilliant Reg Vardy Band will join forces with the Brass Festival chorus as well as a special guest choir from Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas for a unique concert in the stunning surroundings of Durham Cathedral.

Organ Recital by Francesca Massey, Sub-Organist of Durham Cathedral. 

Francesca, an award-winning organist, was educated at Cambridge University and the Royal Northern College of Music. She has held scholarships in various prestigious locations including Windsor Castle, and will take up the position of Director of Music and Organist at Rochester Cathedral from September 2019.

Organ Recital by Steven Grahl, Organist at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.

A chance to experience a walking tour of Durham Cathedral's historic woodlands and riverbanks guided by an expert walk leader.

Music concert given by Dave Bainbridge and Sally Minnear. This concert is part of the Celtic Summer School week in Durham organised by The Community of Aidan & Hilda, a globally dispersed Celtic New Monastic Community.

Organ Recital by Roger Sayer, Organist and Director of Music at Temple Church.

A spectacular display of uplifting, feel-good pop, rock and contemporary chart songs performed by the Durham, Chester-Le-Street & Sunderland Rock Choir.

Organ Recital by Ian Wicks, Headmaster of The Chorister School, Durham.

Ian read Chemical Engineering at Exeter University whilst also being the Organ Scholar at the Universtity Chapel and Choral Scholar in the Cathedral. He was Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral School for seventeen years before becoming Headmaster at The Chorister School. He has written choral pieces for both child and adult choirs, with several of his works published by the RSCM.

Organ Recital by Simon Hogan, Assistant Director of Music at Southwell Minster

Simon was born and educated in Bristol, becoming a member of the choristers of St Mary Redcliffe as a young boy. He was an Organ Scholar at Bristol and Salisbury Cathedrals, before obtaining a first in music at the Royal College of Music. Simon has featured on many commercial recordings, with his debut solo recording released in 2015.

Join us for an evening of photography inside Durham Cathedral.

Take a gentle stroll along the riverbanks to find out more about the bats of Durham. You may see pippistrelles, daubentons and noctules foraging for food. The walk starts at the north door of the cathedral, off Palace Green. Bring a torch and please wear sturdy footwear as there are steep slopes. All children must be accompanied at all times by an adult (not suitable for very young children).

September 4 has long been venerated as the anniversary of the enshrining in 999 of the body of St Cuthbert in the original ‘White Church’ prior to the building of the present Cathedral, and we celebrate this today with Sung Eucharist at 11.15am.

Organ Recital by David Halls, Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral.

David has been playing the piano since the age of four, and graduated with an honours degree in Music from Worcester College in 1984, where he help an Organ Scholarship. He has been awarded numerous prizes including the Silver Medal from the Worshipful Company of Musicians. He has been Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral since 2005, as well as touring internationally and recording four solo albums.

Veterans from the Durham Light Infantry hold an annual reunion service in the Cathedral, at which the regimental roll of honour is read and hymns and prayers are offered in commemoration of the fallen, and those who have died since the previous reunion. The service centres around the Durham Light Infantry Chapel, in which the regimental colours are preserved. 

The Battle of Britain, a pivotal conflict of the Second World War, saved England from invasion and prepared the way for the subsequent liberation of Europe and the defeat of the Nazis.  The bravery and sacrifice of so many men is commemorated at Evensong today.

Organ Recidal by Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and Organist at Durham Cathedral

Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are the three named biblical angels, depicted as the beloved messengers of God.  A basilica near Rome was dedicated in the fifth century in honour of Michael on 30 September, beginning with celebrations on the eve of that day, and 29 September is now kept in honour of Michael and all Angels throughout the western Church.  

This ever-popular orchestra returns to the glorious surroundings of Durham Cathedral for the first concert of its 2019-20 season, with an exciting programme of music.

An exhibition in Open Treasure, Durham Cathedral's award-winning museum experience, showcasing the exquisite and extraordinary maps, charts and atlases in the Durham Cathedral Library collections, including early maps of Durham.

Prior’s Hall
Part of the Durham Book Festival
Cuthbert, an Anglo-Saxon warrior turned saint, was dragged out of solitude on Inner Farne to become the most powerful church leader in the land. The stories and legends associated with Cuthbert are familiar in the North East. Novelist Katharine Tiernan, author of Cuthbert of Farne, offers new and intriguing insights into the man behind the legend. She reveals her research into the turbulent times in which Cuthbert lived, and the role of historical fiction in illuminating our understanding of his life.

Prior's Hall
Part of the Durham Book Festival
Discover the political and ecclesiastical controversies of the nineteenth century through the eyes of Queen Victoria’s six Archbishops of Canterbury. Personal scandal and tragedy abound, with death, bed-sharing, and political bust-ups. Michael Chandler, author of Queen Victoria’s Archbishops of Canterbury, takes us on a whistle-stop tour of these intriguing men and their extraordinary families.

A special day of services in honour of God’s saints including Holy Communion at 7.30am, and a Sung Eucharist in the Quire at 17.15pm.

On All Souls’ Day, we commemorate all those whom we have loved and lost, at a celebration of the Eucharist. All are welcome to attend and give thanks for the life of a family member or friend.

The Cathedral Community is joined by military representatives and dignitaries to remember those who have given their lives for their country and the serving soldiers who put their lives at risk today. The service will be followed by wreath-laying and a formal parade.
 

An opportunity to purchase local produce and artisan goods in the unique setting of the Cathedral Cloister. Visit the stalls in the Cloister and the marquee on Palace Green to find unique Christmas gifts. Entry to the cloister market is free with a donation of £3 per person encouraged.

An opportunity to purchase local produce and artisan goods in the unique setting of the Cathedral Cloister. Visit the stalls in the Cloister and the marquee on Palace Green to find unique Christmas gifts. Entry to the cloister market is free with a donation of £3 per person encouraged.

An opportunity for visitors to the Durham City Christmas Festival to sing carols in the splendor of Durham Cathedral.

An opportunity for visitors to the Durham City Christmas Festival to sing carols in the splendor of Durham Cathedral.

A special family service depicting the story of St Nicholas, who always makes an appearance. The service follows a lantern procession to the Cathedral, led by the Chester-le-Street Salvation Army Band, starting at 3.30pm in Durham Market Place.

All are welcome to attend a service of lessons and carols for Advent in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas. Music is sung by Durham Cathedral Choir. As these are very popular services, members of the congregation are advised to arrive in good time.

An opportunity to purchase local produce and artisan goods in the unique setting of the Cathedral Cloister. Visit the stalls in the Cloister and the marquee on Palace Green to find unique Christmas gifts. Entry to the cloister market is free with a donation of £3 per person encouraged.

An opportunity for visitors to the Durham City Christmas Festival to sing carols in the splendor of Durham Cathedral.

A special service of carols for Durham University Intercollegiate Christian Union.

Following the success of our 2018 Christmas Concert, the Friends are pleased to announce that the North East Rock Choir, Consett Salvation Army Band and Durham Cathedral Young Singers will be returning to perform for us again. Join them for their highly anticipated annual Christmas Concert.

Visitor access to the nave of the cathedral will be limited during this service.

A special advent procession for St Chad's College, Durham University.

A special advent procession for St John's College, Durham University.

Visitor access to the nave of the cathedral will be limited during this service.

A special carol service for Durham School.

Join Durham Cathedral Choir and the Reg Vardy Band for a spectacular candlelit evening of festive classics.

A special carol service for the Freemasons.

Visitor access to the nave of the cathedral will be limited during this service.

Visitor access to the nave of the cathedral will be limited during this service.

All are welcome to our traditional festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which always starts in darkness with a solo chorister singing the first verse of Once in Royal David's City. These services are a highlight of the Advent and Christmas season, during which lessons are read and the Cathedral Choir sings beautiful music to herald the birth of Christ. 

All are welcome to our traditional festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which always starts in darkness with a solo chorister singing the first verse of Once in Royal David's City. These services are a highlight of the Advent and Christmas season, during which lessons are read and the Cathedral Choir sings beautiful music to herald the birth of Christ. On Sunday 24 December the Durham Miner's Association Band will play before the service.

All are welcome to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Join with the churches of Durham and gather for a serivce of reflection on the past, of thanksgiving for the blessings of God in the present and of hope for the year to come. You are invited to gather in Durham Market Place at 6pm with lanterns and process to the cathedral for 6.30pm.