![manchester-the-whard-cherry-blossom-by-canal-enjoy-canal-walks-as-one-of-many-free-things-to-do](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretmanchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/06044717/shutterstock_1706807554-1024x683.jpg)
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).
Table Of Contents
- Free museums in Manchester
- Free gigs in Manchester
- Free festivals in Manchester
- Free markets in Manchester
- Free art galleries in Manchester
- Free attractions in Manchester
- Free walks to go on in Manchester
- Free views over Manchester
- Beautiful places to visit for free
- Free parks and gardens in Manchester
- Best shops in Manchester to explore
Free museums in Manchester
![T Rex at Manchester Museum](https://offloadmedia.feverup.com/secretmanchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/22090809/T-Rex-at-Manchester-Museum-photo-by-Manchester-Museum-1024x682.jpg)
Those looking for a cultural fix are in luck, as we’ve got loads of free museums in Manchester boasting ancient art, fascinating objects, and even a dinosaur skeleton, as well as impressive free exhibitions.
- Greater Manchester Police Museum
- Museum of Science and Industry
- Imperial War Museum North
- Manchester Museum
- People’s History Museum
- Bury Transport Museum
- Hat Works Museum
- Touchstones Rochdale Museum
- Salford Museum and Art Gallery
- Greater Manchester Museum of Transport
- Portland Basin Museum
- Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum
- Rochdale Pioneers Museum
- Bolton Museum, Aquarium and Archive
- Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre
- Clayton Hall Living History Museum
- The Fusilier Museum
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.
- The Royal Northern College of Music Afternoon Recitals
- Jazz Gigs at Matt and Phreds
- Live music on Sundays and Mondays at Bunny Jackson’s Juke Joint
- Jazz and Blues bands at The Fitzgerald
- Live entertainment most nights of the week at the Thirsty Scholar including bands, comedy nights, and poetry nights
- Be in the audience for TV shows
- Enjoy live music and performances most nights of the week at Albert’s Schloss
- Live jazz, blues and more at The Blue’s Kitchen’s New Orleans-style bar
Free festivals in Manchester
From festivals filled with food and drink to days devoted to music, these events are free to attend and full of atmosphere.
- Manchester Jazz Festival
- Manchester Flower Festival
- Pride in Trafford
- We Invented The Weekend
- Festival of Libraries
- Manchester Histories Festival
- Manchester Day
- Greater Manchester Walking Festival
- Manchester Literature Festival
- Chorlton Book Festival
- Manchester International Festival(Not taking place this year)
- Manchester Festival of Nature
- Gobefest
- Festa Italiana
Free markets in Manchester
They’re only free if you don’t buy anything, but there are always free samples to potentially be had at these markets…
- The Makers Market
- Altrincham Market
- Levenshulme Market
- Arndale Market
- Bury Market
- Stockport Market
- Heaton Moor Market
- Ramsbottom 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.
- The Whitworth
- Manchester Art Gallery
- Castlefield Gallery
- The Holden Gallery (temporarily closed)
- Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (temporarily closed until early 2023)
- HOME
- Paradise Works
- Bankley Studios and Gallery Manchester
- Salford Museum and Art Gallery
- Bury Art Museum and Sculpture Centre
- ARTZU Gallery
- The Lowry
- Chuck Gallery
- Saan1
- New Adelphi 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.
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.
- Free Manchester Walking Tours
- Tour The Plaza
- Reddish Vale Country Park
- Manchester’s Canal walks
- Invisible Cities
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.
- Alderley Edge
- Werneth Low
- Cloud 23 (You’ll have to buy a drink but it’s free to go up and worth it for the view)
- The tram ride from Cornbrook to St. Peter’s Square
- The Air Shard at Imperial War Museum North
- The Casket Works in Cow Lane, Salford
- Winter Hill in Rivington Moor
- The grassy hillock in Liverpool Road that overlooks The Ox
- Salford Quays
- Chorlton Water Park
- Heaton Park
- Holcombe Hill, Ramsbottom
Beautiful places to visit for free
Behold, the beauty of Manchester!
- The Northern Quarter
- Salford Lads Club to recreate The Smiths album photo
- John Ryland’s Library
- Chetham’s Library
- Manchester Cathedral
- Ordsall Hall
- Manchester Town Hall (temporarily closed)
- Castlefield Viaduct
Free parks and gardens in Manchester
Park yourself at one of these gardens or parks for a fabulously free afternoon.
- Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens
- Burrs Country Park
- Haughton Dale
- Whitworth Park
- Reddish Vale Country Park
- Buile Hill Park
- Alexandra Park
- Stalybridge Country Park
- Clifton Country Park
- Mayfield Park
Best shops in Manchester to explore
These places are perfect for a browse, but you’ll have to resist the temptation to keep that whole free thing going. From historic market buildings to cute independent shops, this city is a shopping paradise.
- Afflecks Palace
- Altrincham Market
- The Trafford Centre
- Barton Arcade
- Manchester Fort
- Quayside MediaCityUK