Free events in Manchester this weekend – including Manchester Day and Mr Scruff at Hatch

The weather has not been great this week, and it’s not looking too good for the weekend either, but that should not stop you from having fun in Manchester this weekend – whether you’re celebrating local pride at the big Manchester Day event or celebrating equality at Stockport Pride.

We are continuing our series of free event roundups, so if you want to get out and about over the next couple of days, but also want to save a bit of cash, here are some of the top free events taking place in Manchester.

Manchester Day

The city centre is going to be busy this weekend as people come together to celebrate our beloved city. There will be no parade this year, but instead a whole program of activities and performances has been planned, taking over most corners of the city centre. The theme is holidays so expect things like a helter skelter on Deansgate, a beach and a whole host of magical street performances from Walk the Plank.

Beavertown Summer Collaboration Sessions – feat. Mr Scruff

Beavertown brewery is taking over Hatch this Saturday as part of summer party series. The event will take place 4pm-10pm and no tickets are required, walk-in only. There will be plenty of Neck Oil and other Beavertown brews on tap and the line-up of acts includes local MC OneDa as well as the legendary Mr Scruff.

We are all Artists

On July 28 and 29, there will be free art and craft workshops in the Arndale, outside Next, open to kids, teens and adults. Some of the activities on offer include sculpting fake food out of clay, designing your own story boards and zines, printmaking and cardboard sculpting. More information can be found on the Arndale website.

Stockport Pride

This Sunday 30 July, Stockport Pride will be taking place. The meeting point for the parade will be 11:30am at Underbanks in the town centre, on the pedestrianised area between Robinsons and the bottom of Mealhouse Brow, and it will set off at 12pm. There will be plenty of entertainment to take part in during the day, including a family space with activities for children, indoor and outdoor stalls at  Stockport Market Place, and a program of music, drag queens, DJs and cabaret over at the Martyn Hett Stage in Castle Yard. More information can be found on the Stockport Pride website.