September came and went in what felt like no time at all and, with October right round the corner, you’ll be chuffed to know there are absolutely shedloads of things you can do in and around the city for totally free!

From art exhibitions at SOUP to a cracking five-day celebration of music across town, here’s our rundown for the top five free things to do in Manchester this week…

DCYPHER AI Makeup Tech | Trafford Centre | Wed 1 Oct - Thur 2 Oct | 10am - 8pm

Cosmetics brand, DCYPHER, is bringing its Complexion Concierge to the Trafford Centre this week.

With an aim of helping customers find the right foundation for them with their AI-powered skin tone scanner, which captures your exact shade in seconds before blending a bespoke formula, the first 20 guests each day will receive a complimentary gift, and there’ll be exclusive prizes and offers on the day.

Plus, everyone will leave with a free personalised 5-day foundation sample to continue the experience at home.

Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AA, Tel: 0161 749 1717
Manchester Camerata | Various locations | Wed 1 Oct - Sun 5 Oct | Various times

This week, Manchester Camerata will be venturing out of the concert hall and into the streets with Here We Are, an inclusive and all-embracing five-day celebration of music across Greater Manchester.

The internationally acclaimed ensemble will stage a wide variety of free pop-up performances in unexpected places, so be sure to check out what’s popping up near you.

Various locations
Fifteenth Birthday Exhibition Launch | SOUP | Thu 2 Oct | 6pm - 2am

This Thursday, show some love to Steveson Square stalwart, SOUP, which will be unveiling the installation of photography captured by Sasha Shuttleworth, artwork from their poster-crafting workshop facilitated by Cora O’Gorman, all set to a pumping soundtrack from DJ Bottom for its milestone birthday.

31-33 Spear St, Manchester M1 1DF
Steady Stepping | renae | Thu 2 Oct | 8pm - 12am

Swing by Northern Quarter’s über cool bar, renae, this Thursday for some live sounds from Ralph Ninety.

Expect a mix of house, disco, funk & soul all night long, and, to sweeten the deal, the venue will be giving away some friends & family Mellow Clo X Salomon tees available on a first-come-first-served basis, so be sure to get there early!

45-47 Thomas Street Manchester M4 1NA
Mancunian Pan Africanist | Factory International | Sat 4 Oct | 12pm - 3pm

Get yourself over to Factory International this Saturday afternoon for a special literary event inspired by Pan-Africanism, during which attendees can look forward to a showcase of powerful new writing by young Black creatives from across Greater Manchester.

Mon 29 Sep - Sun 5 Oct
Words:
Rhiannon Ingle
Published on:
Tue 30 Sep 2025