There are always free activities if you're looking for some entertainment. Here are the best this week, July 8-14 2019.
Whether you're after a family activity with the children or some music without having to buy tickets, there are usually some free events.
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#1: Big BRASS Bash, Newton Aycliffe
The Durham Brass Festival street bands will be visiting schools and as well as performing in locations in County Durham as part of the Big BRASS Bash events.
On Sunday July 14 Big BRASS Bash is in Newton Aycliffe town park from 3-6pm. The concerts are free to attend, so just turn up. You can read more in our Durham Brass Festival free concerts story.
#2: City Tour, Durham Market
Historian and archivist David Butler is leading a free tour looking at the heritage of Durham Market and the rest of the city.
The guided walking tour is on Thursday July 11 at 10.30am. Meet at the top of the main Durham Market Hall ramp. Places need to be reserved - call Karen on 0191 384 6153 or email durhammarkets@yahoo.co.uk.
Read next: A full list of Durham walks taking place this month
#3: Durham Miners Gala talk, Redhills
Ahead of the Durham Miners Gala, there's a free talk at Redhills, the Pitmen's Parliament. Called 'The Little Dictator and the Three Musketeers: The NUM Durham Area at a time of Nationalisation and the Cold War', the Durham Miners Gala talk takes place in the week before the Big Meeting, on Tuesday July 9. You can read more about it in our Durham Miners Gala talk story.
#4: Durham Miners Gala
The annual Durham Miners Gala takes place for the 135th time on Saturday July 13. We've got the information you need on our Durham Miners Gala 2019 page, as well as a list of Big Meeting speakers and information on Durham Gala road closures.
Read next: Family events in Durham this week
#5: Family fun afternoon, Pity Me
At the Recreation Ground, Abbey Road, Pity Me, there's a free family fun event on Saturday July 13 from 2-4pm run by Gospel Outreach International. There's face painting, magic and a bouncy castle.
You can find out more on the Gospel Outreach International website.
#6: Wharton Park Summer Brass Series
There is a series of free Sunday afternoon Brass in the Park concerts, by some of the county's finest brass bands, performed in the Wharton Park amphitheatre. The second is on Sunday July 14 from 1-3pm.
#7: Allotment workshops, Bishop Auckland
Learn about planting vegetables and horticulture skills at these drop in sessions. Part of Incredible Edible Bishop Auckland and in collaboration with Cultivate4Life, you can drop in to Woodhouse Close Allotment in Bishop Auckland (postcode DL14 6QH) on Tuesday July 9 and every subsequent Tuesday at 9.30-11am or 3.30-4.30pm. No experience is necessary and it's family friendly.
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