If you’ve splashed the cash a tad too hard over the bumper bank holiday weekend then don’t worry as we’ve rustled up a guide of the most exciting things to do in and around the city this week that won’t cost you a thing.

From vinyl street parties over in Stockport to four new exhibition launches at The Whitworth – here’s our rundown of the best free things to do in Manchester this week…

Jam on the Wall | Band on the Wall | Tue 7 May | From 9pm

If you’re after some live music this week then pop over to Band on the Wall to see trio NONUNONU host Jam on the Wall, where they’ll invite down some of the hottest young jazz players Manchester can muster.

Whether you get up on stage and get involved in the music or sit back and witness the magic unravel – this sure is shaping up to be good one.

25 Swan Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 5JZ, Tel: 0161 834 1786
VOLUMES | UNITOM | Thu 9 May | 5pm - 7pm

Head to Stevenson Square after work on Thursday for some bevs and chats while you check out VOLUMES – an exhibition of publications created by Fashion Communication at Manchester Fashion Institute first-year students in partnership with UNITOM.

Take a closer look at their explorations into print, and publication formats as they propose speculative new narrative directions for some of the biggest fashion brands in the world.

1a Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DN, Tel: 07496 267160
Seasonal Preview | The Whitworth | Thu 9 May | 6pm - 8pm

Swing by Oxford Road this Thursday and check out the openings of The Whitworth’s four new exhibitions.

Attendees will be able to peruse John Lyons: Carnivalesque which is the first retrospective exhibition of Caribbean British artist and poet John Lyons alongside Ayo Akingbade: Show Me The World Mister – a solo exhibition comprising two new film commissions shot on location in Nigeria.

You’ll also be able to have a look at post-war designer Shirley Craven’s exhibition of vivid, colour-filled textiles as well as Everyday Art School, which is a dynamic new project space that brings together collections, ideas and community action to bring art into your everyday life and rethink how we use it.

Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER, Tel: 0161 275 7450
FM PARTY: Episode 2 | Ramona | Fri 10 May | 7pm - 1am

If you’re after a proper boogie this Friday night then look no further than Ramona for Episode 2 of the banging FM Party.

Attendees will be treated to some of the best selectors in Manchester with Shadev, Adele Tondu, Emma Rose & MARSMP3 and OMO9K on mic duties.

Expect a range of flavours from Afrobeats, Bashment, Grime, Garage, House and much more – we’ll see you on the dancefloor.

40 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JG, Tel: 0161 441 9020
É Soul Cultura | SK1 Records | Sat 11 May | 6pm - 11pm

There’ll be few better places to be this Saturday night than Stockport’s buzzing Underbanks for the very first SK1 Records street party of the year.

The much-loved record store, alongside The Spinn Off, is presenting É Soul Cultura with an exciting lineup featuring the likes of Luke Una, Transmission Towers & Psychederek to kick it all off.

17 Little Underbank, Stockport, SK1 1LA, Tel: 0161 474 1233
Mon 6 May - Sun 12 May
Words:
Rhiannon Ingle
Published on:
Tue 7 May 2024