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

Maddi Nicholson Preview at Spinningfields
On Friday evening you can catch a sneak preview of this new project at Spinningfields created in partnership with Castlefield Gallery. See our full piece for more details.
Fri 19 Jul, a place lived, Hardman Square, Spinningfields, M60 1PR, 5pm, www.aplacelived.co.uk

Last Chance to See School of Integration at Manchester Art Gallery
As one exhibition opens, so another closes: Manchester Art Gallery’s School of Integration shuts up shop on Saturday, along with the rest of the Manchester International Festival. Our full preview has all the info.
Until Sat 20 Jul, Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL, Tel: 0161 245 7245, Various times, www.manchesterartgallery.org

A Farce About A Musical Court Case at HOME
On Saturday morning, cinema and gallery HOME hosts a premiere screening of a new film from Acting on Impulse. Acting on Impulse is a creative arts organisation that gives a voice to the homeless and other marginalised people, by providing them with time on both sides of the camera. This new short film is a very meta comedy about a group of actors revolting against the film they’re starring in, spinning it off into a multi-genre mashup.
Sat 20 Jul, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN, 11am – 12.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Hale Barns Carnival
Heading a little out of town this weekend, you can check in on Hale Barns carnival: A huge, family-friendly annual event in the leafy South West suburb. Local playing fields are transformed with street food, arts & crafts stalls, funfair rides and even an exhibition of classic cars. Entertainment throughout the weekend includes a packed programme of live music and even a pop-up theatre. Entry is free up until 5pm, although you’ll have to cough up if you want to stay through the evening for treats such as a live performance from Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp.
Sat 20 Jul – Sun 21 Jul, St Ambrose Playing Fields, Hale Road, Hale Barns, 12pm – 5pm, www.halebarnscarnival.co.uk

Pirate Festival Weekend at Anderton Boat Lift (pictured)
Heading even further from Manchester for this next family-friendly event: This Saturday and Sunday the Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire will be invaded by pirates. These blackhearted fiends will be dazzling visitors all weekend with demonstrations of cannon fire, pistol shooting and sword fighting. They’ll also be setting up camp with an activities tent full of things for young buccaneers to take part in, as well as an authentic pirate tavern – where parents can partake in the revered high seas pastime of getting drunk.
Sat 20 Jul – Sun 21 Jul, Anderton Boat Lift, Lift Lane, Anderton, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 5UB, 10.30am – 3.30pm, www.visitcheshire.com