Free things to do this weekend ft. Bury Light Night, Diwali + more

It doesn’t get more cultured than the freebies we’ve got lined up for you this weekend, with book fairs, print fairs, lights and installations…

Bury Light Night (pictured)
The enchanting Bury Light Night returns this weekend, illuminating venues such as Bury Arm Museum, Bury Library and The Met, as well as public spaces like Gallipoli Gardens and Lions Gardens with light-inspired displays, projections and events. With storytelling, poetry, workshops and market stalls also on the agenda, there’s lots of ways to make the most of the atmospheric evening.
Fri 16 Oct, Various locations and times, FREE, www.bury.gov.uk

Manchester Artists’ Book Fair
Along with the usual blend of zines, illustration, letterpressed books, screenprinted pamphlets, poetry and polemic, blank journals, woodcut posters and more, at this weekend’s Manchester Artists’ Book Fair you can also embrace the chance to make your own books, delve into an exhibition by two colleagues from different continents or simply sit in the corner flicking through a book. All in all? Certainly not a bad way to spend a weekend.
Fri 16 – Sat 16 Oct, Holden Gallery, Manchester School of Art, Cavendish Street, M15 6BR, 11am – 5pm, FREE, www.manchesterartistsbookfair.com

Dashehra Diwali Mela: Cast the Light
Outdoor arts producers Walk the Plank present Cast the Light, an evening performance that acts as the finale to this year’s Diwali celebrations in Albert Square. Using a combination of storytelling, dance, puppetry, live music, pyrotechnics and special effects, the immersive piece of outdoor theatre has been inspired by the Hindu epic the Ramayana, promising a captivating evening to help festivities culminate with a brilliant bang.
Sat 17 October, Albert Square, M2 4JW, 7pm, FREE, www.walktheplank.co.uk

Manchester Print Festival
As part of this year’s Design Manchester, Manchester Print Fair and GF Smith team up for a celebration of all things print – from artists’ books and zines to posters, postcards, t-shirts and tea towels. Promising over 60 art and design stalls from some of the region’s most talented names, there’s also a full schedule of free workshops for you to sink your teeth into, including screen printing, letterpress, badge making and a special Origami project.
Sat 17 – Sun 18 October, People’s History Museum, Left Bank, Spinningfields, M3 3ER, 11am – 4.30pm, FREE, www.facebook.com