It’s officially December, and the countdown to Christmas is on. Naturally, it’s a very expensive time of year, so we’ve done you a solid and rounded up some of the best things going on around the city that won’t cost you a penny over the next few days.
From mid-week chess nights at YES to Sunday evening DJ sets, here’s our round-up for the best free things to do in Manchester this week…
Whether you’re a chess aficionado or new to the game, Check Mate MCR is a great way to spend your Wednesday evening.
The monthly chess club, perfect for all abilities, takes place on the first Wednesday of every month on YES’ buzzing roof terrace with NTS Radio resident DJ Gardener supplying tunes throughout the evening.
This Thursday will see a special evening celebrating 10 years of community ownership at Stretford Public Hall, alongside the 10-year anniversary of Power to Change.
The event highlights how community-powered spaces are reshaping local economies, protecting civic assets, and reimagining public services across Greater Manchester. There’ll be a drinks reception, talks, presentations, networking opportunities, food from Open Kitchen and DJs from Nite School CIC.
Trafford Palazzo’s Christmas programme features an array of free events this winter, with festive fun running until the end of. December. Activities include brass band performances, choirs, bauble engraving and loads more!
End the week right over at Diecast for their Good Custard takeover. Get ready for a high-energy dance floor experience with live performances and dancers soundtracked by the cracking residents of the Manchester label and party collective.
- Words:
- Rhiannon Ingle
- Published on:
- Mon 1 Dec 2025
Get yourself over to Factory International at some point this week to check out SOBA – a new digital artwork by the Romanian Manchester-based artist hippiezilla (Corina Bibere) on display in the Social at Aviva Studios.
Blending her own footage with abstract textures and old stock clips, SOBA becomes a slow, shifting visual fireplace – inviting visitors to pause, rest and reconnect as the nights grow darker and busier.