Free things to do in Manchester this weekend ft. Sadler’s Yard Summer Jam + more

Michael Webster Single Launch at Fuel Café Bar
Our first pick of free things to do in Manchester this weekend is this single launch party at Withington’s Fuel Café Bar. Preston-based singer-songwriter Michael Webster is putting out his third single ‘waves / complainin’ and local label Bread Records are putting on a show to celebrate. Along with Michael, you’ll also be able to see performances from Welsh folk-punk Adam Carpenter, acoustic act The Northern Rambler, socialist emos Indefinite Articles and folk balladist Toria Wooff. Copies of the new single will be available for purchase on the night.
Fri 24 Aug, Fuel Café Bar, 448 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 3BW. 7pm, www.facebook.com

Sadler’s Yard Summer Jam
All weekend you can swing by Sadler’s Yard for their free annual summer jam. All weekend, the yard will be taken over by craft stalls and delicious street food from the likes of Bakeorama Cakes and GourmEgg – the latter famed for their fancy, fresh scotch eggs. They’ll also be hosting a pretty stellar music lineup throughout, with several live bands including indie heavy-hitters The Spook School. If you also swing by The Pilcrow pub, they’re also hosting a weekend-long takeover by Magic Rock Brewery – one of club picks for the weekend – so you’ll be able to pick up a tasty beverage or two.
Fri 24 Aug – Sun 26 Aug, Sadler’s Yard, Redfern Street, Manchester, M60 0AB. 122pm – 10pm, www.facebook.com

Manchester Pride Parade (pictured)
The city turns into a sea of rainbow flags once more, as Pride weekend rolls around. Many of the events around Pride will set you back a pretty penny, but the centrepiece of the weekend – the Parade – will always be free. Taking place in the middle of the day on Saturday, the parade route starts near Beetham Tower and noodles its way through the city streets towards Fairfield Street, celebrating all aspects of the LGBTQ+ community. Be sure to get down early to find a good spot – the Pride website has helpfully listed vantage points.
Fri 25 Aug, City centre, 12pm, festival.manchesterpride.com

Booja Booja Ice Cream Party at The Eighth Day
Oxford Road organic cooperative Eighth Day is offering free ice cream to customers this Saturday afternoon. Booja Booja make dairy, gluten and soya free ice creams with delicious sauce swirls and big, Ben & Jerry’s-esque chunks. At the time of writing, this event is sold out, but I think if you swing by in time, you’ll still be able to pick up a freh scoop.
Fri 25 Aug, The Eighth Day Café, 111 Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 7DU. 12pm – 2pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Family Affair DJs and Reasons to be Cheerful at Dulcimer
Dulcimer Bar is Chorlton has has a very exciting programme of events this past week, and to cap it off, they’re running free nights on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday night, the Family Affair DJs will be spinning the finest soul and funk ever pressed to a 7” record and on Sunday it’s a post-punk party as DJ Dunc provides you with plenty of Reasons to be Cheerful as you head into Recovery Monday.
Sat 25 Aug, Dulcimer, 567 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 0AE, Tel: 0161 860 6444, 9pm, www.dulcimer-bar.co.uk