Free things to do in Manchester over Christmas ft. films, art experiences & more

Recreate scenes from Empire Records: Eastern Bloc Christmas Party
Local record shop Eastern Bloc is hosting their Christmas Party on the last Friday before Christmas, and with a late-license extension granted for one night only, it’s likely to be the biggest free festive blowout you’ll find in this wintry month. The lineup isn’t confirmed at the time of writing, but given their past form, it’s likely to feature sets from international techno and electronic DJs, along with some local favourites and maybe even some of the Eastern Bloc staff. It’s a record shop – so they’re unlikely to run out of stuff to play over this mammoth nine-hour party.
Fri 22 Dec, Eastern Bloc Records, 5A Stevenson Square, Manchester, M1 1DN. 7pm – 4am, www.facebook.com

Film: Home Alone & Love Actually Screenings at Chorlton Central Church
Chorlton Arts Festival may be long gone, but its organisers are putting on these two screening events at Chorlton Central Church on the weekend before Christmas. On Friday evening you can catch Home Alone, the raucous home-invasion comedy that shot child star Macaulay Culkin to fame. This is followed up on Saturday by your mum’s favourite Christmas film Love Actually – Richard Curtis’s 2003 anthology film about love and heartbreak in the holiday season. Whilst the screening is technically free, the organisers are asking for a voluntary donation to help raise funds for 2018’s Festival, so you’re encouraged to give generously to this worthy cause.
Fri 22 Dec & Sat 23 Dec, Chorlton Central Church, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 8BF. 6.30pm, www.tickettailor.com

International festive songs: Amani Choir Christmas Concert at Simpson Memorial Hall
Amani Creatives is a collective of African musicians performing in the North West, and two days before the big day you can see their Christmas Concert for free at Simpson Memorial Hall in Moston. Expect Christmas classics with an African twist, and maybe a few songs you haven’t heard before. See our full preview for more details.
Sat 23 Dec, Simpson Memorial Hall, 361 Moston Lane, Moston, Manchester, M40 9NB. 4pm, www.facebook.com

Art experience: Legroom at Secret Venue
Provided you can drag yourself out of your Boxing Day turkey coma, you can take part in this unique event from Legroom, a Franco-British art project, backed by Castlefield Gallery, which was set up to explore the artistic potential of space, sound and movement. For Somebody that has Never Performed a Resonance is a workshop that encourages participants to explore a space acoustically – projecting your voice outwards into your surroundings, to explore the cavities and test your own vocal range. The space you’ll be exploring is tightly-guarded secret, but participants will be congregating beforehand at Legroom’s home on Watson Street.
Tue 26 Dec, Legroom, Unit 4, Great Northern Tower, Watson Street, Manchester, M3 4EE. 12pm – 1pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Music: Lungs EP Launch at Band on the Wall
With New Year just around the corner, you can start the sesh early with this free gig and EP launch at Band on the Wall. It’s part of the legendary venue’s Free Vibes series, which brings quality lineups together with zero entry fees. This month they’re offering up Liverpudlian post-punk four piece Lungs, who will be launching their 2nd EP, which is called Birdsong Index. Supporting them on the night is Leather Party – made up of members of local bands Brown Brogues and the excellently-monikered Peace and Love Barbershop Muhammad Ali – as well as alt-rock band Queasy and Preston-based trio Ronda.
Thu 28 Dec, Band on the Wall, 25 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JZ. 7.30pm – 11pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Free NYE house party: New Year’s House Party at Electrik
New Years Eve is one of the most expensive nights of the year, but if you’re looking to save some pennies, you can’t go far wrong with this free party at Chorlton’s Electrik. With plenty of tunes, booze and a house party theme, this is the perfect budget NYE. The taxi home will still cost a packet, though. Check out our full preview for more information.
Sun 31 Dec, Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE. Tel: 0161 881 3315, 9pm – 3am, www.facebook.com

All day breakfast: New Year’s Day at Common
Plenty of city centre pubs will be offering up a discounted, hair-of-the-dog, hangover-friendly lazy afternoon experience this New Year’s Day, but Northern Quarter favourite Common just manages to edge over the line with their January 1st plans. They’ll be offering the contents of their breakfast menu all day, so you’ll be able to get that fry-up at whatever time you manage to drag yourself out of bed. There’s plenty of drinks offers too, including 2 for £10 on Bloody Marys, and with the muted palette of their walls and furnishings your head is guaranteed to stop spinning.
Mon 1 Jan, Common, 39-41 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HW. 11am – 11pm, www.facebook.com