Free in Manchester
36 nights out that are free to get in, at 28 venues, day by day. Last checked 18 October 2026.
Monday
5 on
This was earlier in the week. Most of these are weekly, so they're on again next Monday.
Nothing listed yet. Know of something? Tell us.
- 6pm
532 Bar & Kitchen
Free, teams up to 6, £50 bar tab. Listed for Monday 6pm, so check it's still weekly.
- 8pmtill 11pm
Matt & Phred's
2nd Monday of the month
Free monthly jazz jam led by a house band. Musicians welcome to sit in.
- 8:30pm
The Grosvenor
Free, teams of up to 2.
- 9pmtill midnight
Nancy Spains
Free, walk-in sign-up. Performers get a drink.
- 9pm
The Fox Pub & Kitchen
Free, teams up to 8.
Tuesday
4 on
This was earlier in the week. Most of these are weekly, so they're on again next Tuesday.
Nothing listed yet. Know of something? Tell us.
- 7pm
Fuel The Music
Free entry.
- 7pmonwards
The Whiskey Jar
Free entry. Ask the bar about performing.
- 8pmtill 10pm
- 8:30pm
NEST
Music bingo rather than a straight quiz. Free, £100 bar tab, teams up to 8.
Wednesday
7 on
This was earlier in the week. Most of these are weekly, so they're on again next Wednesday.
Nothing listed yet. Know of something? Tell us.
- 7pm
Stage & Radio
Comedy Circus: free open-mic comedy with new acts and new material.
- 7pmonwards
The Whiskey Jar
Free entry. Same open mic as the Tuesday one.
- 7:30pm
Barca Bar
Free, £50 bar tab for the winners.
- 8pm
The Elizabethan
Free, teams up to 6, vouchers for 1st and 2nd.
- 8:30pmabout
- 8:30pm
Puss in Boots
Free entry. Prize pot shared across the Almond Family pubs.
- TBCcheck with venue
Ramona
Free entry. Extended DJ sets.
Thursday
8 on
This was earlier in the week. Most of these are weekly, so they're on again next Thursday.
Nothing listed yet. Know of something? Tell us.
- 7pmtill 10pm
Undercurrent at The Underbank
3rd Thursday of the month
Third Thursday of the month. Free, 15-minute slots, sign up in advance.
- 8pm
Lion's Den
Every other Thursday · Doors 7:30pm
Laughienda Comedy Club. Free, every other Thursday. Tickets on Fatsoma.
- 8pm
The Blossoms
Free quiz with a £25 bar voucher for the winners.
- 8:30pm
Fletchers Arms
SpeedQuizzing. Free, no booking.
- 8:30pm
Jolly Sailor
Free entry.
- 8:30pm
NEST
Traditional quiz. Free, £50 cash prize. Often full by 7:30, so get there early.
- 8:30pm
Spread Eagle
Free entry.
- TBCcheck with venue
Ramona
Free entry. DJs and live acts at MOT Station.
Friday
5 on
This was earlier in the week. Most of these are weekly, so they're on again next Friday.
Nothing listed yet. Know of something? Tell us.
- 6pmonwards
The Refuge
Resident DJs in the Public Bar playing funk, soul, disco and house. Free.
- 7pmtill 2am
Albert's Schloss
Haus band and cabaret, free and no ticket needed. Over 21s from 6pm.
- 7pmonwards
Ramona
Free entry. Weekend club nights at MOT Station.
- 9pmonwards
Band on the Wall (Copper Bar)
Night Shift: free live music in the Copper Bar till late.
- 9pmonwards
The Fitzgerald
Free entry. Jazz, blues, soul and acoustic till about 2:30am.
Saturday
6 on
This was earlier in the week. Most of these are weekly, so they're on again next Saturday.
Nothing listed yet. Know of something? Tell us.
- 12pmonwards
The Oast House
Last Saturday of the month
Free all-day festival with house bands and DJs. No ticket needed.
- 5pmtill 6pm
Matt & Phred's
Early + evening sets
Free early gig around 5 to 6pm, plus a later bill. Check that week's listings.
- 6pmonwards
The Refuge
Resident DJs in the Public Bar playing funk, soul, disco and house. Free.
- 7pmonwards
Ramona
Free entry. Weekend club nights at MOT Station.
- 9pmonwards
Band on the Wall (Copper Bar)
La Fiesta: free funk, soul, Afrobeat, Latin and jazz till late.
- 9pmonwards
The Fitzgerald
Free entry. Live music till about 2:30am.
- 7pm
Sunday
2 on
This was earlier in the week. Most of these are weekly, so they're on again next Sunday.
Nothing listed yet. Know of something? Tell us.
- 3pmonwards
Saison
Live jazz every Sunday from 3pm. Free.
- 8:30pm
Park Inn Hotel
Run by SpeedQuizzing. Free, teams up to 6.
Free for Halloween · all Halloween events
- 12pmonwards
Merseyday of the Dead
Free · All ages
Trail, crafts and safe trick-or-treating at Merseyway 12pm-3pm, then a Day of the Dead parade at Redrock 5pm-7pm.
Tickets and details: merseyway.com · Checked 17 Oct
- 24 Octto 25 Oct
Halloween in the City
Free · All ages
Free weekender with giant inflatable monsters, street performers, DJs, fancy dress and a roaming procession. The MCR Monsters trail stays up until 31 October.
Tickets and details: cityco.com · Checked 16 Oct
- 26 Octto 1 Nov
Albert's Schloss Halloween: Viva Slash Vegas
Free entry, table booking recommended
Halloween party every evening that week on Peter Street, plus a Halloween brunch on Saturday 31 October, 12:30pm-3:30pm.
Tickets and details: albertsschloss.com · Checked 17 Oct
- 11pmtill 3am
Whip-Round: Halloween Horrorshow
Free tickets · 18+
Halloween club night across three rooms, with cheap drinks.
Tickets and details: skiddle.com · Checked 16 Oct
- 7pmonwards
Hide and Shriek
Free, booking required
Halloween party across The Nest and The Hideout with DJs, magic and costumes encouraged.
Tickets and details: treehousehotels.com · Checked 16 Oct
- 8:30pmtill 10:30pm
Bants and Bars: Halloween Comedian Bar Tour
Free
Comedian-led bar crawl through speakeasy-style bars, about 40 minutes per stop. Limited free places; bring ID.
Tickets and details: meetup.com · Checked 16 Oct
Free for Bonfire Night · all Bonfire Night events
- 4pmtill 9pm
Salford Firework Weekend: Buile Hill Park
Free · All ages
Three displays: Little Sparks 5:30pm, Firecracker 6:30pm and the main show 7:30pm. Funfair, food, marshmallow toasting and a fire walk. No bonfire. Gates close 9pm.
Tickets and details: visitsalford.info · Checked 17 Oct
- 4pmtill 9pm
Salford Firework Weekend: Prince's Park
Free · All ages
Little Sparks display 5:30pm, traditional bonfire 6:30pm, main display 7:30pm. Funfair, food and drink. Free parking at Lidl and Tesco.
Tickets and details: visitsalford.info · Checked 17 Oct
- 4pmtill 9pm
Golborne Parkside Firework Spectacular
Free to £22.38 depending on ticket · All ages
Doors 2pm, event 4pm-9pm, on Rivington Avenue. Book on Eventbrite.
Tickets and details: eventbrite.co.uk · Checked 17 Oct
- 6pmtill 10pm
Middleton Bonfire and Fireworks
Free · All ages
Rochdale Council event. Funfair from 6pm, bonfire 7pm, reduced-noise fireworks 7:30pm. No alcohol.
Tickets and details: rochdale.gov.uk · Checked 17 Oct
- 6pmtill 10pm
Heywood Bonfire and Fireworks
Free · All ages
Rochdale Council event. Funfair from 6pm, bonfire 7pm, reduced-noise fireworks 7:30pm. No toilets or parking on site.
Tickets and details: rochdale.gov.uk · Checked 17 Oct
- 6pmtill 10pm
Rochdale Bonfire and Fireworks
Free · All ages
Rochdale Council event. Bonfire 7pm, reduced-noise fireworks 7:30pm. No toilets or parking on site.
Tickets and details: rochdale.gov.uk · Checked 17 Oct
- 4:30pmtill 7pm
Digital Bonfire Night at Printworks
Free · All ages
Indoor fireworks on the digital ceiling: SEN-friendly display 5:20pm, main musical display 6:15pm, live choir 6:30-7pm, free sweet treats.
Tickets and details: printworks-manchester.com · Checked 16 Oct
- 7pmtill 11pm
Gunpowder Rock
Free to £8
70s-style rock night with a Newborn Spiders EP launch. Optional 70s dress code. Aggregator listing, so check before you go.
Tickets and details: whatnightout.uk · Checked 16 Oct
- 3pmtill 9pm
Manchester fireworks: Heaton Park
Free · All ages
First council displays since 2019. Reduced-noise show 5pm, lantern parade 7pm, main display to music 8pm. Funfair and food village. No bonfire. Times approximate.
Tickets and details: manchester.gov.uk · Checked 16 Oct
- 3pmtill 9pm
Manchester fireworks: Platt Fields Park
Free · All ages
Reduced-noise show 5pm, lantern parade 7pm, main display to music 8pm. Funfair and food village. No bonfire. Times approximate.
Tickets and details: manchester.gov.uk · Checked 16 Oct
- 3pmtill 9pm
Manchester fireworks: Wythenshawe Park
Free · All ages
Reduced-noise show 5pm, lantern parade 7pm, main display to music 8pm. Funfair and food village. No bonfire. Times approximate.
Tickets and details: manchester.gov.uk · Checked 16 Oct
Free for Christmas · all Christmas events
- 1 Novto 31 Dec
The Oast House Winter TeePee
Free entry
Fire pits, festive cocktails and live music seven nights a week through November and December.
Tickets and details: designmynight.com · Checked 16 Oct
- 6 Novto 22 Dec
Manchester Christmas Markets
Free entry · All ages
More than 210 stalls across Albert Square, Cathedral Gardens, King Street, St Ann's Square, Exchange Square and more, plus the new Lincoln Square. Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens stay open until 3 January.
Tickets and details: manchestersfinest.com · Checked 16 Oct
- 1pmtill 3pm
Manchester Christmas Parade
Free · All ages
Route still to be announced. Expect big crowds at the markets that day.
Tickets and details: cityco.com · Checked 16 Oct
Quick answers
What free things are there to do in Manchester at night?
36 regular nights out across Manchester are free to get in, at 28 venues: live music, pub quizzes, open mics, comedy nights, club nights. This page lists them day by day, with tonight first.
Is there free live music in Manchester?
Yes. 8 regular live music nights here are free entry. Pick "Live music" under WHAT to see them.
Are free events really free?
Free here means free to get in, going by what the venue publishes. Some ask you to book, and drinks are on you. Check with the venue before you go.
Know a free night we've missed? Tell us. Looking for everything? See this week.