You won’t have to spend a penny with our roundup of free things to do in Manchester.
We love top-notch cocktails and extravagant pop-ups as much as the next person, but if your bank account is feeling the pinch, Secret Manchester is here to lend a hand. We’ve put together an all-singing, all-dancing roundup of free things to do in Manchester, and it’s a humdinger of a list (if we do say so ourselves).
[Feature image: a_citys_lore]
Free museums in Manchester
Those looking for a cultural fix are in luck, we’ve got loads of free museums in Manchester boasting ancient art, fascinating objects, and even a dinosaur skeleton.
1.Greater Manchester Police Museum
2. Museum of Science and Industry
8. Touchstones Rochdale Museum
9. Salford Museum and Art Gallery
10. Museum of The Manchester Regiment
11. Greater Manchester Museum of Transport
13. Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum
14. Stockport Museum
16. Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive
17. Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre
19. Clayton Hall Living History Museum
Free festivals in Manchester
Those who don’t have the budget for Bluedot needn’t miss out on festival season. We’ve got plenty of free ones to choose from.
20. Oldham Music Centre Summer Music Festival
22. Oldham Carnival Community Festival
24. Rochdale Feel Good Festival
25. The University of Manchester Community Festival
26. The Didsbury Record Fair at The Stoker’s Arms on June 16
Free gigs in Manchester
Hearing about free stuff is just music to my ears. From jazz gigs to classical concerts, music flows freely across Manchester.
27. Whit Friday Brass Band Concerts
28. The Royal Northern College of Music Afternoon Recitals
29. Jazz Gigs at Matt and Phreds
30. Bierkeller Jam Night every Thursday
31. Live music and entertainment five-days-a-week at The Patron
32. Live music every Wednesday night at The Pen and Pencil
33. Live music on Sundays and Mondays at Bunny Jackson’s Juke Joint
34. Jazz and Blues bands at The Fitzgerald every Thursday night
35. Free stand up every Monday night at The Frog and Bucket
Free markets in Manchester
They’re only free if you don’t buy anything, but there are always free samples to be had…
38. Northern Quarter Makers Market
41. Arndale Market
42. Bury Market
43. Stockport Market
46. Ramsbottom Food and Craft Market
Free art galleries in Manchester
‘There is no must in art because art is free.’ It certainly is with these free art exhibitions and galleries, perfect for an eyeful of thought-provoking paintings, sculptures, and installations.
47. The Whitworth
51. Caustic Coastal
53. Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art
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54. HOME
55. Paradise Works
56. Bankley Studios and Gallery Manchester
57. Salford Museum and Art Gallery
58. Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre
59. ARTZU Gallery
60. The Lowry
61. Chuck Gallery
Free attractions in Manchester
Many of the big tourist draws charge for entry, but we’ve found some sneaky ways around that. You wanted free attractions in Manchester? You got ’em.
63. Manchester Airport Runway Vistors Park
65. Central Library – Home to the British Film Institute archive
Free walks to go on in Manchester
From free walking tours of Manchester to self-guided ambles, we’re here for you. Stretch your legs, up your step count, and get a proper eyeful of everything the city has to offer with these walks.
66. Free Manchester Walking Tours
67. Tour The Plaza
Free views over Manchester
It’s time to get high for free (behave). See stunning, panoramic views of Manchester from high-level platforms or by climbing really big hills.
69. Alderley Edge
70. Werneth Low
71. Cloud 23 (You’ll have to buy a drink but it’s free to go up and worth it for the view)
72. The tram ride from Cornbrook to St. Peter’s Square
73. The Air Shard at Imperial War Museum North
74. The Casket Works in Cow Lane, Salford
75. Station Approach (the walkway that leads up to Piccadilly Station)
76. Winter Hill in Rivington Moor
77. The grassy hillock in Liverpool Road that overlooks The Ox
78. Salford Quays
Beautiful places to visit for free
Behold, the beauty of Manchester!
81. Salford Lads Club to recreate The Smiths album photo
85. Ordsall Hall
Free parks and gardens in Manchester
Park yourself at one of these spots for a fabulously free afternoon.
87. Heaton Park
88. Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens
90. Haughton Dale
91. Whitworth Park
94. Buile Hill Park
95. Alexandra Park
Best shops in Manchester to explore
These places are perfect for a browse, but you’ll have to resist temptation to keep that whole free thing going. From historic market buildings to cute independent shops, this city is a shopping paradise.
99. Afflecks Palace
100. Mackie Mayor
101. The Trafford Centre
102. Barton Arcade
103. Hatch
Also published on Medium.