Free things to do this weekend ft. Create Salford, urban markets and Debdale Park bike ride

As the weather threatens to turn pleasant this weekend, only no doubt to reveal its wet side once 5pm on Friday arrives, we’ve picked out three free highlights – come rain or shine!

Create Salford at MediaCityUK
Expanding from last year’s debut, Create Salford returns to MediaCityUK this weekend. The arts and media festival, organised by creative bods at the University of Salford with industry partners, will feature original theatre productions, immersive visual arts exhibitions, daring fashion shows, debut film screenings and creative workshops. The Create Cube, a 16ft by 16ft custom-built Perspex box in the Piazza, will provide plenty of opportunities for fun installations, while outdoor arts organisation Walk The Plank (pictured) will be closing the four-day event.
Thu 12 – Sun 15 Jun, MediaCityUK, Salford, M50 2HE, Various times, FREE, create.salford.ac.uk

Urban Markets and the British Street Food Awards at Old Granada Studios
Head down to Old Granada Studios for a bumper weekend that includes all the former TV HQ’s rotating weekly markets in one. Food fans will love the tasty BITE market, as well as the chance to explore fashion, vintage and makers fairs under one roof. And that’s not all. Come 6pm on Saturday the city’s favourite street food dudes, including Arepa! Arepa! Arepa! and the Fire & Salt BBQ crew, will be battling it out for a place in the national final of the British Street Food Awards. All you have to do is turn up, tuck in and vote.
Sat 14 & Sun 15 Jun, Old Granada Studios, Quay Street/Water Street, M60 9EA, Urban Markets (Sat & Sun) 11am – 5pm, British Street Food Awards Heats (Sat only) 6pm – 11pm, FREE, oldgranadastudios.com

Debdale Park bike ride
With no Sky Ride planned for Manchester this year, fear not as the organisers are instead running smaller, more regular events – including this Sunday’s ride from Debdale Park in Gorton to the National Cycling Centre in Eastlands. The five-mile route takes in Lower Gorton Reservoirs, Ashton Canal and Locks, and a view of Manchester City Football Club, as well as the park itself. The hour-long ride, described as ‘easygoing’, is suitable for mountain and hybrid bikes in particular.
Sun 15 Jun, Meet at Debdale Outdoor Centre car park, Hyde Road, M18 7LJ, 10am, FREE – but advance booking advised: www.goskyride.com

Know of any upcoming free weekend events worth shouting about? Email jess at manchesterwire dot co dot uk with the deets.