Free things to do in Manchester this weekend ft. Create with Luna + more

Create with Luna Launch
Our first pick of free things to do in Manchester this bank holiday weekend is this studio opening in Hulme. Create with Luna is a new community visual arts studio, which aims to foster a more inclusive creative community in the city. They boast a studio space, pop-up gallery and a shop. Refreshments will be served on the evening, and you can enjoy a live painting demonstration.
Fri 25 May, Create With Luna, Shawheath Close, Manchester, M15 4TL. 6pm – 8.30pm, www.facebook.com

Dream Pool at Foundation Coffee House
Already one of weekend club picks, promoters Dream Pool celebrates one year of gigs at The Lever Street coffee shop on Friday night. But just because of the venue, don’t expect a dry gig – they’re offering £5 cold brew martinis all night to accompany the packed lineup of local DJs.
Fri 25 May, Foundation Coffee House, Sevendale House, Lever Street, Manchester, M1 1JB. 6pm – 12am, www.facebook.com

Wakes Day at Touchstones Rochdale
A little out of town, but if you head out to Rochdale this Saturday, you can catch this full afternoon of art, radicalism and morris dancing at the Touchstones art gallery and museum. It’s also a good opportunity to see current exhibition Ambiguous. Check out our full preview for more details.
Sat 26 May, Touchstones Rochdale, The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AQ. Tel: 01706 924492. 12pm – 4pm, ambiguousshow.tumblr.com

Coffee Collective Takeover at Takk Espresso Bar (pictured)
If you’re a big coffee fan. Then boy do we have the event for you. On Saturday evening, the Oxford Road pop up coffee shop Takk will be opening up the floor to a collective of international roasters, who’ll be offering you the chance to taste their beans. Coffee experts from six countries including Brazil, Columbia and Kenya will take you through the roasting process and will be serving up espressos for you to try. The only misstep with this event is that they’ve put it so late in the day – but it’s a Saturday, so maybe bedtime can take one for the team.
Sat 26 May, Takk Espresso Bar, Hatch, Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7ED. 5pm – 7pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Makefest at MoSI
All day Saturday and Sunday, The Museum of Science and Industry will be hosting this family-friendly festival, packed with free creative events. There’s soldering workshops, steampunk decoupage, a performance from a robot orchestra and even the opportunity to program your own drone. All events are free, but pre-booking through the MoSI website is required if you want to attend any given session.
Sat 26 May – Sun 27 May, Liverpool Road, Manchester, M3 4FP. 10am – 5pm, www.msimanchester.org.uk

North West Velo Fest
FInally this weekend is your first chance to take part in Velo Fest: The region’s three-week celebration of cycling. All events in the fest are free and aimed at pedalheads of all ages and abilities. In this opening weekend alone, you can enjoy and opening party, a scavenger hunt cycle around the city, and an exploration of city’s canals and cycleways. See our full preview for more details.
Fri 25 May – Sun 10 Jun, Various locations and times, www.nwvelofest.com