As we close in on the big August bank holiday, you’ll be glad to know there are plenty of excellent things going on around the city that won’t break the bank.
From the UK’s biggest food and drink festival to free bank holiday parties, here’s our rundown for the best free things to do in Manchester this week…
Head to Withington’s ever-buzzy Sandbar for an alternative pride event, welcoming some of the finest Manchester talent, serving everything from hardcore and gabber to queer folk!
The likes of mamba.exe b2b Girldick, Lawa, petra bomb, FOULMOUTH, Will Walton and Zara Smile are on the bill, and they’ll be joined by speakers from different grassroots groups organising across the city. There will be a raffle draw throughout the night too!
While tickets are £6.50 (all of which goes to a good cause), there are limited free tickets for low-income community members available – drop the lovely lot behind the event a DM @wekeepsafemanchester.
Get ready for a whole load of foodie, family fun as the UK’s biggest food and drink festival is returning to Bolton this weekend.
Bolton Food and Drink Festival brings more than 180 traders to the town centre, along with some very special guests, including the renowned Marco Pierre White, for a huge programme of free activities for all ages to enjoy.
Prepare for some grooving in the sunshine this Bank Holiday, as New Century brings a record fair to NOMA that’s sure to hit all the right notes.
There’s a whole lot you can do during the day, including perusing some of the best vinyl, taking part in a DJ workshop, kicking back to the sounds of Ded Luvly on the Pulp Coffee sound system and enjoying free family friendly activities including screen-printing workshops, record sleeve making, and sleeve design colouring sessions.
Wilson’s Social is throwing a cracking bank holiday party this Sunday with free Jubel beers for the first 100 people, and then £5 Jubel pints available for the rest of the day.
DJs will be playing the best in Balearic beats with the courtyard bar and BBQ fired up to cement that summery feeling.
- Words:
- Rhiannon Ingle
- Published on:
- Tue 19 Aug 2025
This Wednesday, Transcend Studios will be guiding a unique and immersive breathwork session designed to help you reconnect, release tension, and restore balance in a calm, distraction-free space.
Guided by dynamic soundscapes and expert cues delivered directly to your ears, this experience takes place entirely in the dark—no distractions, just pure presence