Free things to do this weekend ft. As We Are Away festival, MCDC + Chorlton Book Festival

There’s lots on this weekend that fall under that literary, cultured, arts and craftsy umbrella that seems to make us feel so good when we get involved. What makes us feel even better is that all these below are free.

As We Are Away mini festival by Nous Magazine
Nous Magazine is a Manchester based, self-published, non-profit publication talking about social issues and this Thursday sees the return of its 11-day mini festival As We Are Away. After making its debut last year, the festival centres in on mind culture and empathic thinking through film screenings, workshops, live music and more. Highlights for the weekend include Everything in Order, a workshop with Océane Tur on Friday (12 – 6pm), Animation Performance with visuals by Joe Whitmore and Generic Greeting Collective DJs at TOAST in Federation House (7pm til late), Home Is Where The Art Is, a workshop with Jessica Loveday at Islington Mill’s 1st floor Common Room (1 – 4pm), and Cultivate Film Club at Joshua Brooks on Sunday from 6pm.
Thu 20 – Sun 30 Nov, Various venues and times, FREE (donations advised), www.asweareaway.com

Christmas shopping launch at MCDC (pictured)
Step away from the lure of the high street this Christmas and instead make a beeline for the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, where you’ll find ample unique gift potential from its talented resident designer-makers. The festive trading period kicks off this Saturday as each of the 18 studio boutiques throw open their doors, as shoppers soak up the free arts and craft activities and classic complimentary mulled wine/mince pie combo. You’ll also find The Northern Quarter Boys Choir loitering around, ready to fire up a repertoire of favourite carols to hone the Christmassy cheer.
Sat 22 Nov, Manchester Craft and Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, M4 5JD, 2 – 5pm, FREE, www.craftanddesign.com

Chorlton Book Festival at the Horse and Jockey
As this one’s been going for a whopping 10 years now, it’s clear that the longstanding Chorlton Book Festival remains a popular event in the suburb’s calendar. Coinciding with Chorlton Library’s centenary, the festival combines all manner of activities celebrating literature, including high profile authors such as Jackie Kay, spoken word performances and Opening 1914, a celebratory play from The Edge Theatre. Crucially, there’s also a book artists, collector book dealers, publishers and antique book dealers all coming together in the book fair.
Sat 22 Nov, Horse and Jockey, 9 The Green, Chorlton, M21 9HS, 11am – 5pm, FREE, www.horseandjockeychorlton.co.uk

Know of any free events coming up? Email jess at manchesterwire dot co dot uk with the deets.