Free things to do this bank holiday weekend ft Baker’s Vaults + more

It rarely gets better than a three-day weekend, and arguably it’s the August bank holiday that’s the big one – thanks in no small part to Pride, Manchester’s huge celebration of LGBTQ culture. But that’s not all the city has to offer, and to help you decide we’ve chosen our top picks here.

Pasta Paul’s Post-Office Pay Day Ping Pong Party
Pasta Paul, for the uninitiated few, is one of Manchester’s favourite selectors. And because he’s also an all-round good geezer, this weekend he’s bringing back his locally-legendary Post-Office Pay Day Ping Pong Party, where you’ll be able to revel in the fact that you’ve just been paid, play some ping pong on Kosmonaut’s new table, and get on down to a lineup of DJs including Dan Wainwright, Patch (Piccadilly Records), Mark Brown, Chris Egan (Night Fantasy), Cosmic Baggy and, obviously, Pasta himself.
Fri 28 Aug, Kosmonaut, 10 Tariff St, M1 2FF, 6pm – 2am, FREE, www.facebook.com

Vintage Fair at Manchester Cathedral
Fancy a throwback to the better days this weekend? Then head down to Manchester Cathederal, where you’ll find a two-day vintage fair featuring 40 of the UK’s best vintage traders, serving up a slice of yesteryear through authentic vintage clothing and accessories, furniture, curios and collectables. Also boasting live entertainment, a bar (gets our vote) and tea room, a fashion show, a beauty parlour and more, it’s sure sounds like a neat way to spend a day.
Fri 28 – Sat 29 Aug, Manchester Cathedral, Victoria Street, M3 1SX, Fri: 11am – 9pm, Sat: 11am – 6pm, FREE, www.manchestercathedral.org

Bolton Food and Drink Festival
Fancy getting out of the city? Then nip over to nearby Bolton for their annual Food and Drink Festival, which this year features Masterchef’s John Torode and his missus, TV chef Lisa Faulkner. On the freebie front, however, you’re looking at a street party, regular chef demos, stalls, and a launch do with the wonderful Michael Caines. You can also catch CBeebies star Katy Ashworth for a mere quid, which is practically free.
Fri 28 Aug – Mon 31 Aug, Various venues, Many events FREE, www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com

Northern Art Carbooty
Now in its third year, Carbooty takes the car boot principle and gives it a artsy, creative twist to make it an extravaganza of art, craft, live performance and music. This bank holiday the one-day arts event returns to Ancoats before the brand also rolls out to Blackpool later this year. Expect new artistic collabs, original art and design (all of which is capped at £50), food and drink, live art and performances, workshops and so much more.
Sun 30 Aug, 1 Primrose Street, Ancoats, M4 6AQ, 12 – 5pm, FREE (£1 suggested donation), www.facebook.com

The First Baker’s Vaults Blues and Jazz Festival
The Bakers Vaults are teaming up with Stockport Old Town and Stockport Fringe Festival, setting up an outside stage in Castle Yard for a one-day festival packed with live music, DJs and an outdoor bar flogging their great ales. Bands and musicians include Pete Churchman and Matt Nickson, Victor Brox and Kyla Brox, CRaB World Jazz Trio, Mat Walklate and Paolo Fuschi, Matt Wolf and more, along with Sugarfoot DJs spinning Northern Soul, funk, Brazilian, latin and soul.
Sun 30 Aug, Baker’s Vaults, Market Place, Stockport, SK1 1EU, 12 – 5pm, FREE, www.facebook.com

Manchester Pride Candlelit Vigil
And if you do want to get in on the Pride action, you’ll be able to wind down from your three-day bender bonanza with a vigil in Sackville Gardens, where things will take a reflective turn as Pride draws to a candlelit close so that we can remember those that have been affected by HIV.
Mon 31 Aug, Sackville Gardens, Venice Street, M1 3HB, 9.15pm, FREE, www.manchesterpride.com

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