If you need to save your pennies after an over-indulgent bumper Bank Holiday weekend then you’re in luck — we’ve rounded up a handful of cracking things to do in and around the city that won’t cost a thing.

From funk nights down at Band on the Wall to all-day street parties in Altrincham – here’s our round-up of the best free things to do in Manchester this week…

This Sky is Your Sky | 422 Arts | Tue 27 Aug | 4pm - 6pm

Get yourself over to 422 Arts this Tuesday for an exciting end-of-summer launch party celebrating the newly commissioned public artwork This Sky is Your Sky by artist Bill Balaskas.

Bill, who was selected through an open call and a public vote in 2023, has collaborated closely with our staff, community members, and photography students and tutors from Manchester Metropolitan University to create this multi-layered, site-specific project.

422 Stockport Road, Manchester M12 4EX
Queer Visions | Factory International | Thu 29 Sep | 6pm - 9pm

Factory Remix returns this Thursday with a night of photography, poetry and music celebrating Manchester’s vibrant queer scene.

Photographer Jen Amelia Veitch will be presenting a stunning collection of photography from iconic queer club night, Homoelectric, alongside performances from poets Jazmine Linklater, Evie Lynne Patmore and Bonnie Hancell with the evening soundtracked by alternative folk music from Bay Bryan followed by genre-blending DJ sets from Jus’T and Manchester favourite Mix-Stress.

Aviva Studios, Water St, Manchester M3 4JQ, Tel: 0333 322 8679
Buried Sounds presents Pablo and Friends | Stage and Radio | Fri 30 Aug | 8pm - 3am

To celebrate Buried Sounds’ first event at Stage And Radio, they’ll be throwing a cracking free party all about exploring the deeper side of Jungle, DnB and Techno.

Putting on a full evening affair bringing some of the best underground talent Manchester has to offer – this one’s shaping up to be a good’un!

43 Port St, Manchester M1 2EQ
Stamford Square launch party | Stamford Quarter | Sat 30 Aug | 12pm - 8pm

This weekend the Stamford Quarter will celebrate the launch of its transformed public square with a huge street party featuring live music hosted by Happy Radio, street food and pop-up vendors.

A number of fun family activations will also take place across the day, including; Lane7 pop-up interactive games including basketball hoops and darts, face painting and glitter stands, children’s colouring workshops and back-to-school craft sessions with Sostrene Grene.

2 George St, Altrincham WA14 1SG, Tel: 0161 941 3110
Funk Street! Raimondo | Band on the Wall | Sat 31 Aug | 9pm

Swing by Band on the Wall this Saturday evening for an evening grooving out to the finest in funk, soul, disco, house and more.

Attendees can expect soul-heavy beats, infectious rhythm, and free-flowing dancefloor magic as resident Band on the Wall DJs spin a funky fusion of sounds and styles that’ll be sure to leave you with a heart full of rhythm.

25 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JZ, Tel: 0161 834 1786
Mon 26 Aug - Sun 1 Sep
Words:
Rhiannon Ingle
Published on:
Tue 27 Aug 2024