It’s been the perfect weekend for getting out in the sun and seeing what Manchester has to offer post-lockdown. This weekend, we’ve been enjoying the programme from Manchester Jazz Festival at Freight Island – and it’s so good to see city-based festivals returning back in full flow once more. We’ve included a festival in our guide to free things to do in Manchester this week, as well as a virtual tour of the Working Class Movement Library and a Euro ’96 flashback from the National Football Museum.

Enjoy live comedy as XS Malarkey Returns | Tue 15 Jun | From 7pm

In usual times, the folks at XS Malarkey put on one of Manchester’s best comedy nights every Tuesday at Oxford Road venue, The Bread Shed. They’ve been impacted heavily by the pandemic so it’s great to see them return for this online show in their usual early-week spot. Watch the event for the reveal of their top-secret lineup (they’ve hosted the likes of James Acaster, Nish Kumar and Josie Long in the past) – guaranteed to put a smile on your face during what’s sure to be a trying week for the entertainment and hospitality sectors.

Find rare frogs at Manchester Community Festival | Fri 18 Jun | 11am – 3pm

Running from Friday 18 until Sunday 20 June, the Manchester Community Festival is a collection of online events organised by the University’s Department of Social Responsibility. There are events happening right through the weekend; highlights include Chocaholics Guide to the World and Secrets of Biomaterials plus a virtual tour of Manchester Museum’s vivarium where they keep all of their rare and endangered frogs.

Take a virtual tour of the Working Class Movement Library | Ongoing

This week, Manchester has been celebrating its strong literary traditions through its Festival of Libraries. Part of the festival that will remain is this great look inside the fantastic Salford institution, the Working Class Movement Library. During this eye-opening virtual tour, you can take a look around around one of our favourite Northern buildings – all from the comfort of your sofa.

Look back with Still Gleaming: Euro 96 in Pictures | National Football Museum | Ongoing

Football fever is back – for better or worse… and this is the perfect one to scratch that nostalgia itch, as the National Football Museum celebrates when football first ‘came home’. Visit their city centre venue to explore an exhibition of some of the best photos from Euro 96. Meanwhile, we’ve got you covered if you’re looking for pubs showing the Euros in Manchester.

Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Todd Street, Manchester M4 3BG
Tune into solo show A Spectacle of Herself | The Lowry | Ongoing

We’ve loved watching The Lowry’s online solo shows during lockdown – and here’s another in the series. A Spectacle of Herself is written and performed by dancer Laura Murphy and explores themes of autobiography and virtuosity, as well as spectacularity inspired by the iconic scrapes of Bridget Jones.

Mon 14 Jun - Sun 20 Jun
Words:
Hugh Morris
Published on:
Mon 14 Jun 2021