Free things to do this weekend ft. pop-ups, craft & more

We’ve all had a nice summer enjoying some surprisingly good English weather, but as the colder months approach it would appear we are no longer content to lie in a park doing nothing but sip upon a tinnies all day without a care in the world. Need more, you say? Well, plenty of wholesome arts and culture this weekend – and better still, it’s all free.

Cheetham Hill’s pop-up projects in the park (pictured)
Up in Cheetham Hill there’s a lot going on over the next few months, with arts organisation Buddleia working hard with the local residents to explore its past to reshape its future, and rethink the use of community spaces within the area. On the agenda are several projects including the build of a temporary café in the park’s viewing shelter. There are lots of opportunities to get involved, but this weekend in particular sees the construction of a dye garden to accompany the café. On board is artist Torange Khonsari of art and architecture group Public Works, so under some great guidance take your Sunday afternoon to lend a hand with a great cause.
Dye garden construction Sun 29 Sep, Cheetham Park, Elizabeth Street, M8 8BQ, Tel: 07974422608, 11am – 5pm, FREE, info@buddleia.co.uk

Autumn Craft Festival at Uppermill Civic Hall
The world of craft has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance lately, meaning that it may no longer just be your Gran you know who crochets. Whether an attempt to be frugal or simply an expression of creativity, crafting seems to be a hit, and this weekend the Saddleworth Creative Network presents its Autumn Craft Festival to bring craft back to Uppermill. There’s also a wellness room, meaning that once you’ve had your crafty fix you can indulge in a little reiki, reflexology, massage, tarot and henna tattoos.
Sat 28 – Sun 29 Sep, Uppermill Civic Hall, Uppermill, Saddleworth, Oldham, OL3 6AE, 10am – 4pm, FREE, www.creativenetwork-saddleworth.co.uk

Yuck pop-up gallery at Manchester Craft & Design Centre
Time for another pop-up, although the Yuck Print House’s gallery at Manchester Craft & Design Centre is only around for the weekend so you had better be quick. Aiming to show that fine and applied art aren’t mutually exclusive, the gallery brings together modern forms of art from illustrations to gig posters, also incorporating screen prints, risographs and glicees on display. The event features the works of a wide range of creatives, including local faves DR.ME, Savwo, S.J Hockett, as well as selected artists from Europe and America.
Thu 26 – Sat 28 Sep, 17 Oak Street, Northern Quarter, M4 5JD, entry FREE, www.yuckprinthouse.com