Free things to do in Manchester this week FT Green Island Festival Afterparty, Poetry Place & more

Check out Saan1 Gallery’s latest exhibition this week, featuring a range of 2D & 3D creations which bring together artistic and humanitarian expression, reflecting the universal desire for liberty and self-determination.

Swing by the ABC Buildings this Thursday to celebrate the opening of UNITOM’s brand-new space. The much-loved NQ bookstore will launch two fresh concepts in the space: a new ‘greatest hits’ bookstore and a dedicated exhibition space.

This Saturday, get yourself down to Aviva Studios as the Poetry Place will be presenting Poet’s Ponder, a journey through the reflections of some of the country’s finest poets and spoken word artists, accompanied by an open mic.

Hosted by 2025 Forward Prize–winning poet Griot Gabriel and recent Slamchester winner Caesar, the event will be headlined by Kate Ireland and Aditya Narayan.

After the famed Green Island Festival wraps up the first chapter of this year’s instalment, be sure to head to Renae for the afterparty running across two floors until the early hours.

The downstairs room will focus on Baile Funk, Afro Tech, Kuduro, and percussive club sounds throughout the night. Upstairs will lean into Broken Beat, Funk House, soulful house and adjacent sounds.

There’s a massive free Garage Party taking place at Freight Island this weekend, with a rare set from PREDITAH.

Hosted by Chunky, other DJs on the jam-packed line-up include JOE HUNT, Lucas Alexander, Shimrise, sez., Theo Sheldrake and Rich Reason, who will be spinning all the best in House and Garage from day to night.