Free things to do in Manchester this weekend ft. Murmur + more

Murmur Birthday Bender at Siop Shop
Donut aficionados Siop Shop are hosting a birthday party for radical arts collective Murmur, and you’re invited! Murmur produce a regular newsletter – you may have seen it perched on a flat surface in a venue near you – detailing the best alternative events throughout the city, and this party brings together the wealth of their editorial’s cultural expertise, with DIY art, DJs and a pop-up zine shop also on offer. There will also be a limited supply of free donuts.
Fri 7 Dec, Siop Shop, 53 Tib St, Manchester, M4 1LS, 7pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com

Caroline Dowsett Exhibition at Libero
Altrincham’s Libero Bar hosts a new exhibition of work from illustrator Caroline Dowsett, and its opens this Friday. See our full preview for more details.
Fri 7 Dec – Fri 21 Dec, Libero Bar, Unit 2A, Kings Court, Railway Street, WA14 2RE Altrincham, times vary, www.facebook.com

Lightwaves 2018 at Salford Quays
Lightwaves returns to Salford Quays this weekend, turning the expansive waterfront into a sprawling, festive light installation. Our full preview has more information on what to expect.
Fri 7 Dec – Sun 16 Dec, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ, Tel: 0161 876 2112, 4pm – 10.30pm, www.thequays.org.uk

Talking Drums at YES (pictured)
Four-storey Charles Street venue YES plays host to techno-tropical percussion night Talking Drums, in their spacious basement club. Talking Drums was founded as a Manchester/London-based record label last year, and has been promoting shows in both cities and beyond. For this night, they’ve invited Parisian DJ Plastic Bamboo who’ll be bringing along his swelling crate of rare European House hits from the past 40 years.
Sat 8 Dec, YES, 38 Charles Street, Manchester, M1 7BD, 11pm – 4am, www.facebook.com

Christmas Crafternoon at Hulme Community Garden Centre
On Sunday afternoon, Hulme Community Garden Centre will be hosting the first of three Christmas Crafternons. All ages are welcome and invited to learn how to make wooden reindeer, natural Christmas decorations, recycled wrapping paper and other eco-friendly festive trinkets. If you can’t make this day, you’ll also be able to enjoy these crafternoons next Saturday and Sunday.
Sun 9 Dec, 28 Old Birley Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5RF, 12pm – 3pm, www.facebook.com