Free things to do this weekend ft Manchester Christmas Markets, The Lowry + Fuel

Christmas Markets Open at City Centre
It’s that time of year again! As hordes of shoppers descend upon the centre, the streets and squares open up in a sprawling Germanic marketplace. With flashpoints at St Ann’s Square, the Triangle and, aptly, Market Street – the snaking network of sheds stocking everything from lawn ornaments to strudel. The hub of the markets is, as always, beneath the massive Santa in Albert Square. Whether you’re picking up an interesting, handcrafted gift or munching down a barm stuffed with hot pork, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. Let the Gluhwein flow!
Sat 14 Nov – Mon 21 Dec, City Centre, Manchester, 10am – 9pm, www.manchester.gov.uk

Digital Art Exhibition at The Lowry
The Lowry launches this new digital art exhibtion entitled ‘Right Here Right Now’, a showcase of some of the most exciting new artists currently working in digital media. With over a dozen contributing artists, there’s a real range of material on display, from video installation to interactive sculptures that respond to the presence of an audience.Right Here Right Now provides a window into the truly groundbreaking art of today: Work that could not exist were it not for recent technological developments. Check out our full preview here.
Sat 14 Nov – Sun 28 Feb, The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, Manchester, M50 3AZ. Tel: 0843 208 6000, 11am – 5pm, www.thelowry.com

Poetry and Punk at Fuel Café Bar (pictured)
Wilmslow Road’s Fuel has been a mainstay of the cultural landscape for many years: Offering not just booze and great vegetarian food, but also a wide roster of nights with music, spoken word and the kind of miscellaneous jumble you only get at a quirky fringe venue. This night, from relative newbies Black Kite Promotions, combines a lot of these: Promising punk, poetry, folk and noise. It’s a wide playbill, with sets from funk folker Nature Boy, bass/drum duo Saltwater Injection, improvvers Shitlips, guitarist Ruban Reine and harpist Rosalie 23. Spoken word sets come from Jake Wyatt and Tourist Fashion, and Stephen James. Closing the night is noise rock outfit Locean, who also throw a bit of spoken word in the middle, in keeping with this eclectic night.
Sun 15 Nov, Fuel Café Bar, 448 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester, M20 3BW. Tel: 0161 448 9702, 7.00pm – 11.30pm, www.facebook.com