Free things to do this weekend ft Yuck Gallery & Saddleworth craft fest

It’s become the time of year when those smug types begin to creep out of the woodwork, all claiming loudly that their Christmas shopping is completely finito, wrapped and securely stashed under the bed. Well congratulations, but for the rest of us slightly less organised folk, this weekend’s free events may provide the opportunity to tick some presents off the list.

Nicho Nativity Posada Party at Oklahoma Café (pictured)
Around this time of year it’s very easy to be bombarded with homogenous festive gloop, which can often leave you wanting to shy away from anything with tinsel or soundtracked by Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’. Ever the conformists, the crafty folk of Oklahoma Café are hosting a Nicho Nativity event, using the Mexicana art of the Nicho box to smack the idea of a traditional British Christmas in the face. The alternative festivities kick off with a Posada Party this Fri, with plenty of Mexican snacks to soak up the playfully named Santa Sangria. If you can’t make the party do not fret, for they will be running the event until 22 Dec. To find out more, read our full preview here.
Launch party Fri 6 Dec, Oklahoma, 74-76 High Street, M4 1ES. Tel: 0161 834 1136, Launch party 18.00 – 21.00, Additional hours tbc, FREE, www.facebook.com

Yuck Pop Up Gallery at Manchester Craft and Design Centre
Apparently there are some people out there who don’t take too kindly to novelty socks and rudely shaped pasta when it comes to Christmas presents. Perhaps rightly so, seeing as Yuck Print House is hosting its own pop up gallery in Manchester Craft and Design Centre, showcasing the best of local talent with screen prints, risographs and giclees all on offer. With all this local talent, you’ve got no excuse to cop out on gifts this year, so head down this weekend to peruse some unique alternatives.
Thu 5 Dec – Sun 8 Dec, Craft and Design Centre, 17 Oak Street, M4 5JD, Tel: 0161 832 4272, Thu: 7pm – 9pm, Fri – Sun: 10am – 5pm, FREE, www.yuckprinthouse.com

The Saddleworth Creative Network Gift & Craft Winter Festival
The Saddleworth Creative Network is back, this time with its seasonal Winter Festival at Oldham’s Uppermill. Expect many of the regular traders, along with a range of new names and faces, all offering a wide variety of local arts, creativity and crafts that hold great potential for stocking fillers and Secret Santas alike. Alongside the selection of clothing, knitted and felt goods, mosaics, pottery, candles and paintings, the edible facet to the festival also looks promising, with stalls selling everything from cakes and jams to olives and pies.
Sun 8 Dec, Uppermill Civic Hall, Lee Street, Uppermill, Oldham, OL3 6AE, 10am – 4pm, FREE, www.visitoldham.com

See also our preview of Chorlton Bazaar – this Sunday.