What's On

Durham Cathedral's central tower will reopen to the public after a three year closure for a major conservation project. 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.

The 14th century Great Kitchen is one of the highlights of the Cathedral's award-winning museum experience, Open Treasure. Today, it houses the Treasures of St Cuthbert, but it has seen many changes over the centuries. This exhibition explores its history, how it was built, and gives an insight into the food and drink that would have been prepared there.

Stephen has worked with acrylic and watercolour for forty years, and his works reflect a lifelong passion for the days of steam railways. A selling exhibition in the Cathedral's Undercroft Restaurant.

We celebrate our Lord's ascension into heaven with Sung Eucharist at 5.15pm.  Sung by Durham Cathedral Consort of Singers 

Organ Recital by David Goode, Organist at Eton College.

Join us for our regular Ten Minute Talk in Open Treasure. Hear one of our experienced Gallery Attendants sharing their insights into Durham Cathedral’s history and collections in a short, informative talk. Today join Anne-Marie Ashman for her talk 'Cooking for the dean in the 18th Century - The story of a very special cook book'.

Durham Cathedral's central tower is open to the public again after a three year closure for a major conservation project. 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.

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. 

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

Keep the evening of Saturday 8 June free for the first of a two-part concert series, featuring a fantastic line-up of musical acts, all under the theme of Stage and Screen. Arguably the highlight of the musical calendar, these annual collaborative concerts are always a great way to spend a summer evening, showcasing the breadth of musical talent at Durham University. We are thrilled that internationally renowned baritone, Sir Thomas Allen, will perform popular hits from films and musicals with Durham University students at Durham Cathedral for this concert.

Paul Taylor gives a solo piano performance in the stunning surrounds of Durham Cathedral. The music is evocative, alluring and unique; combining unusual harmonies and sonorities with an original and fluid technique.

Now in its 3rd year, DJAZZ: The Durham City Jazz Festival brings you an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional jazz set against the backdrop of some of Durham’s most intriguing venues.

Pentecost calls to mind the descent of the Holy Spirit to Jesus’ disciples and the beginning of their mission to take God’s word out into the world.

A pipe organ and saxophone improvised duo in the iconic setting of Durham Cathedral. Don't miss this performance by two leading artists on the UK jazz scene.

Now in its 3rd year, DJAZZ: The Durham City Jazz Festival brings you an eclectic mix of contemporary and traditional jazz set against the backdrop of some of Durham’s most intriguing venues.

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.

Refectory Library

A chance to visit the Cathedral’s beautiful Refectory Library, which is usually closed to the public, and see a specially curated collection of the Cathedral Library's historic collections on the theme of languages.

Two events are taking place, the first from 2-3pm and the second from 3.30-4.30pm.

Programme includes Schubert Impromptus Op. 142, Chopin Ballade no. 3 and Beethoven Piano Sonata Op. 111. 

The Feast of Corpus Christi (Latin, ‘the Body of Christ’) is a day in which we give thanks for the gift of Holy Communion. Christ’s command to break bread and share wine together, in remembrance of him, is at the heart of Christian worship, and we call this to mind at every Holy Communion.

Join us on the Summer Solstice for a early morning photography session. 

New Priests of the Diocese are ordained by the Bishop, and their ministry inaugurated, in a celebratory service at the Cathedral.

New Deacons of the Diocese are ordained by the Bishop, and their ministry inaugurated, during a great service of celebration in the Cathedral. 

Thousands of people from across the County and beyond come to Durham to celebrate the rich mining heritage of the North East. This day of festivites culminates in the procession of pit banners, preceded by the pit brass bands, to the Cathedral, where they are laid up, and often new banners are dedicated.

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.

An evening interview with Andy Raine and Anna Raine, with music from Anna Raine. 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.

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

Join us for an evening of photography inside Durham Cathedral.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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 7.30pm.

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.
 

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