If you blew the bank over the holiday but still have a whole week’s worth of plans to fork out for, don’t worry, we’ve got you.
From outdoor cinema screenings to a brand-new exhibition that’s just been unveiled at The Whitworth, here’s our top picks for the best free things to do in Manchester this week…
If you’ve yet to make Friday night plans, look no further than the tried-and-tested YES with the likes of Gurriers and Antony Szmierek taking to the decks, serving up a sweet night of grooves.
If you’ve not yet checked out one of the Screen on the Square’s cinema screenings, this weekend is your perfect opportunity to go!
From family favourites to iconic cult classics, animated adventures to intergalactic epics, the film programme has something for everyone, with this Saturday evening’s slot being the beloved Chicken Run.
Head to Salford’s The Eagle Inn for a proper good day party seeing UNDERGROUND KOLLEKTIV take over the Courtyard ahead of the main event inside
They’ll be spinning everything from Disco to Deep House to warm you up for the main room madness…
End your week right this Sunday with Factory International’s Kiki Ball, where community-focused dance battles meet fashion shows and family reunions.
Created as a safe space for trans, queer and non-binary youth of colour within LGBTQ+ communities, Kiki Balls offer an open and welcoming environment for self-expression, performance and community building.
- Words:
- Rhiannon Ingle
- Published on:
- Wed 27 Aug 2025
Swing by The Whitworth to check out a brand-new exhibition curated by people in recovery from substance use, which re-narrates artworks from the Whitworth collection through a Recoverist Lens.
In the resulting exhibition, called Recoverist Curators: Re-imagining the World We Live In, individual memories, personal artefacts and creative responses are woven in between over 25 images from artists and designers, including Francis Bacon, Tracey Emin and Lucienne Day.