If you’re looking for free things to do in Manchester this summer, this guide is for you! Read on to find our top recommendations on places to visit in Manchester for free, and how to make the most of your money - plus, learn how you can unlock discounted tickets with Tickets for Good.
Top of our list when it comes to free museums in Manchester, is Manchester Art Gallery. It’s one of the most accessible options, and this summer, you can see a range of historic and contemporary exhibits. Like Out of the Crate, where you can go behind the scenes of Manchester’s publicly owned sculpture collection, and Trading Station, which examines how hot drinks have shaped our lives.
Next on our list of free museums Manchester visitors love is the Science and Industry Museum. It’s free to enter and is another standout low-cost option. In it you can explore interactive science with Experiment, designed for families, or head to a museum after hours late event for adult-only interactive galleries and special events.
This summer at the Whitworth, catch Beneath the Great Wave for traditional Edo-period Japan ukiyo-e woodblock prints and paintings. Plus see exhibitions from Turner Prize nominated artist Delaine Le Bas, Michaela Yearwood-Dan, or visit the Everyday Art School to discover ideas on how to bring art into the everyday.
Our top tip for a grand day out: blend your visit with a walk through Whitworth Park for one of the most relaxing free activities in Manchester.
Another top recommendation of ours is the People’s History Museum; it’s a unique museum centred on the history of democracy, focusing on the lives of the ordinary people of Britain from the Industrial Revolution to now.
If you’re interested in political history, labour movements, social justice, a visit here this summer is a must.
Manchester is beautiful, and exploring the city on foot is one of the easiest free things Manchester visitors can enjoy. There are countless scenic routes among Manchester’s canals.
One favourite of ours is Castlefield, where you’ll find canalside paths and plenty of spots to sit and chill. Alternately, the Northern Quarter has a more energetic vibe - go for a wander and find independent shops, cafes, and more.
Another option is Heaton Park, one of the largest parks in Europe and one of the top places to visit in Manchester for free. Take a picnic, go for a long walk, or bring a book to sunbathe.
Another great green space in Manchester is Fletcher Moss Botanical Garden, where you can stroll through formal gardens, woodland paths, and more.
Summer festivals are a great way to get out there without spending loads. In June, check out the Manchester Festival of Nature (June 28), held at Heaton Park. Or, see the Oast House Live, a mini music festival held throughout the summer on the last Saturday of every month.
Pop up events can also be a great way to get outside this summer while still saving money. To search for them, we recommend checking local event pages or platforms like Eventbrite or DesignMyNight, and filtering based on your location, interests and more; this is a great way to find free activities Manchester offers year-round.
Manchester is full of public spaces where you can spend time without spending money. Take the time to explore the city’s street art, particularly along Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter, as well as local markets like Afflecks or Campfield Market, or Mackie Mayor for food. Even if you don’t buy anything, we think these spots are classic things to do in Manchester and well worth a mooch for their unique products and lively atmosphere.
For a quieter, more chill day out, see rare books and manuscripts as well as the British Pop Archive at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library in Deansgate. Or, visit the oldest public library in the Anglosphere, Chetham’s Library, opened 1421. Further, Library Live (Manchester Central Library) has a dedicated performance space for cultural performances and all types of events including a Family Film Club, author visits, science talks, and more.
Embark on a self-guided tour through Manchester and immerse yourself in culture, history and iconic architecture at your own pace. Find such self-guided tours through providers like visitManchester, Curiousabout.co.uk, Questo and more; for a small fee, you can follow maps sent to your phone and solve clues, find treasure, or in this unique tour, survive the zombie apocalypse!
For more information on low-cost local events in Manchester, look on sites like Manchester City Council listings; here, you can browse by subjects like Arts and Crafts, Clubs and Groups, Dance, Music & Drama, and more.
Another great resource for things to do in Manchester is Loads to Do, with the page constantly being updated with low-cost activities for all ages and interests.
A great way to reduce cost is to time your visits well; by visiting attractions on weekdays versus weekends, you can knock down the cost significantly.
In this same vein, timing your visit to occur in the early morning or off-peak times can knock money off the price of your ticket.
With it being the school holidays, look out for summer holiday special deals, as this is a great way to save on days out!
Not everything has to be entirely free; by combining free activities with low cost ones, you can create a full schedule of activities while keeping costs low and affordable.
A great way to find low-cost events is the Tickets for Good platform. Tickets for Good offers free and discounted tickets to live events across the UK to its members. To be eligible to sign up, you need to work for the NHS, or in the education or charity sectors. Sign up is quick and easy; all we need is your work email address to verify your eligibility, and you can start browsing! It’s a simple way to access affordable gigs, theatre and events in Manchester. Happy booking!