Free things to do in Manchester this weekend ft. Affleck’s Palace + more

Affleck’s Summer Party
Our first pick of free things to do in Manchester this week is this free party and the city’s weirdest and most wonderful emporium. For one day only, Affleck’s third floor will be taken over for a summer party that boasts music, DJs, facepainting and even a little bit of cake. Many of the specialist stores are participating as well, offering mammoth discounts on everything from art prints to Lego sets.
Sat 21 Jul, 3rd Floor, Afflecks Palace, 52 Church Street, Manchester, M4 1PW. 10am – 6pm, www.facebook.com

Rob Ford Explorer at Fuel Café Bar (pictured)
On Saturday night, Withington’s Fuel Café Bar hosts a bumper Pay What You Want gig in the upstairs room. Nevada-based math rock group Rob Ford Explorer will be headlining the show, which is part of their very first UK tour. Also on the bill is their tour support Frantic, as well as local band Pfaff, who’ll be previewing material from their latest album. This gig also boasts the debut performance from brand new experimental outfit Yak Polo.
Sat 21 Jul, Fuel Café Bar, 448 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 3BW. 7pm – 11pm, www.facebook.com

Transport Festival in Northwich
On Saturday and Sunday, you can catch this free transport festival around the Anderton Boat Lift in Northwich. In addition to classic cars and steam vehicles, you’ll get to see the lift itself – a marvel of Victorian engineering – in action. Check out our full preview for more information.
Sat 21 Jul – Sun 22 Jul, The Anderton Boat Lift, Lift Lane, Northwich, CW9 6FW. Tel: 01606 786 777, 10.30am – 3.30pm, www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Lukas Kirkby at Tribeca
Absurdist character comedian Lukas Kirkby brings his hour-long show ‘Lukas Kirkby Does an Hour’ to Tribeca in the Village this Sunday evening as part of the Greater Manchester Fringe. The show is Lukas’ debut and features a raft of songs, sketches and characters – all of which he is road-testing and fine-tuning in time for the Edinburgh Fringe in August – and this is bound to be a fun, unpretentious evening of comedy.
Sun 22 Jul, Tribeca, 50 Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3WF. 9.30pm – 10.30pm, www.facebook.com