Free events always help the bank balance. Here's what's on offer in venues across the city this week, March 25-31 2019.
If you still want entertainment but don't fancy paying for tickets, there are usually a few free events in Durham that can appeal to a wide range of audiences. See what takes your fancy in our roundup below.
Meanwhile, if you like music and theatre then check out our Durham live music roundup, and for child-friendly activities have a look at our Durham family events roundup for the weekend.
#1: Diego Castro Magas, Durham University Music Department
Diego Castro Magas is one of the foremost guitarists of his generation. Currently based in Chile, where he teaches the guitar and chamber music at the Catholic University of Chile (Santiago), he performs a wide range of repertoire at some the world's most significant music festivals and venues.
He performs on Friday March 29 between 1-2pm in the Durham University Music Department on Palace Green. It's a free concert and doors open at 12.45pm.
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#2: Full Moon Market, Durham Marketplace
Taking place on Friday March 29, the Full Moon Streetfood Market is back in Durham city centre from 4pm to 9pm with great choice of food from a wide variety of streetfood vendors, all contributing to a great atmosphere. Some of the food stalls available at this month's Full Moon Market will include The Asian Project, The Greek Kitchen, The Green Guerrilla, Fat Hippo Fleet, Perissa, Kimchi Planet, Earth and Fire Pizza, The French Pop Up, The Belgian Waffle Tuk, Smokie Dokies, and Coffee Supreme.
There is also live music in Durham Marketplace during the Full Moon Market.
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#3: Free history talk, Brancepeth Castle
There's a free talk held at the Grade I listed Brancepeth Castle. Entitled 'The medieval history and archaeology of Brancepeth Castle', the talk will look at the discoveries made during the Historic England research project carried out in November 2018, and will cast fresh light on the site's historical and archaeological significance.
The Brancepeth Castle talk is from 2-4pm on Saturday March 30. There will also be an opportunity to visit the medieval cellars following the talk.
The talk is free but you'll need to book tickets here.
#4: GL5 Rally, Locomotion Shildon
Locomotion in Shildon is hosting the GL5 Rally, which will involve demonstrations of Ground Level 5" Gauge live steam trains. Ground Level 5" Gauge live steam trains are like mini steam trains that are big enough for the driver to sit on top of them with their legs on either side.
The GL5 Rally is held in association with the GL5 Mainline Association, and takes place from Wednesday March 27 to Sunday March 31 from 10am to 4pm at Locomotion, the free railway museum at Shildon (postcode DL4 2RE).
You can call Locomotion on 01904 685780 for more details.
Read next: Locomotion Shildon - the information to know before you go
#5: Life in Ushaw Exhibition, Ushaw
Ushaw College will be hosting a mass followed by the opening of Ushaw's latest exhibition. Mass will be said in St Cuthbert's Chapel, before the unveiling of their newest exhibition - Life at Ushaw, which features interesting pictures of life at Ushaw College in years gone by.
It takes place on March 29 at 11.30am. Email Ushaw at meet@ushaw.org if you interested in going.
#6: Cornish Durham Miners Gala Exhibition, Spennymoor Town Hall
The Bob Abley Art Gallery in Spennymoor Town Hall is currently changing over its exhibition as they put the new Cornish Durham Miners Gala Exhibition into place, which will be well worth seeing. The new exhibition is being hung until Friday March 29, so maybe visit it at the weekend.
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Feature image credit: Durham BID