THERE are various free events happening in Manchester this spring, from galleries and museums to gigs and concerts. The following list here to highlight the top free choices.

Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral

Built in 1421, the grade I-listed Cathedral Church of St. Mary, St Denys and St George is one of Manchester’s oldest buildings, with a history that goes back to the Middle Ages.

Restored in 1952 after the Blitz, the cathedral is home to fantastical stained glass displays and antique wooden furnishings.

Guided tours are available without the need to book. They are held from Monday to Friday, at 11:00 am and 02:00 pm, and at 02:00 pm on Saturdays. However, to secure your place it is worth booking in advance.

Their next most notable event is the Manchester children’s choir, held on Saturday, March 18, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. The choir was founded in 1920s by composer Sir Hamilton Harty. No experience is needed, just go along and have fun!

Victoria Street, Manchester, M3 1SX

Gigs at Matt and Phreds

MATT & PHREDS
MATT & PHREDS

If you’re a fan of what the Northern Quarter has to offer, jazz club Matt and Phreds, hosts a variety of live music six evenings a week, with free entry Monday to Thursday and a general £5 fee on the door during the weekend.

If you buy two drinks during happy hour you get a whole free pizza. Happy hour times vary but are worth a look.

The venue showcases jazz, electro, salsa, blues and much more that can entertain any live music lover.

64 Tib Street, Northern Quarter, M4 1LW

The Portico Library

Portico Library
Portico Library

This is the second-oldest library in the city, it is hidden above The Bank pub on Mosley street and houses interesting antique books.

The library opened in 1806 and collects 19th century books. However, to access these books you need to be a member.

Although, if you can stretch your budget, you are welcomed to enjoy afternoon tea and mini sandwiches in the gallery for £17.95. To arrange your afternoon you can contact events on their website here.

57 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HY

Lunchtime concerts at Cheethams

Chetham's School of Music
Chetham’s School of Music

The internationally well-known Chetham’s School of Music hosts lunchtime concerts inside the Carol Nash Hall at 1.30p, every weekday during term-time.

The concert last 45 minutes and entrance is free, with no booking required.

“Concerts can vary from a full-length solo recital to a sequence of shorter pieces by instrumentalists, vocalists or chamber ensembles.” – Chetham’s School of Music.

Programmes are usually published approximately one week in advance.

To see what’s on visit Chetham’s School of Music website 

Long Millgate, off Cathedral Gardens, M3 1SB

Manchester Museum

The Manchester Museum
The Manchester Museum

Located on Oxford Road, the museum’s notably famous artefact is Stan the T-Rex; thought to be round 65-70 million years old.

You can take a walk through history daily from 10am to 5pm and entry is free. From the inhabitants of the prehistoric age right to present day, the museum is a fascinating place to discover and escape from everyday life.

Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL

Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street
Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street

Well-known by Mancunians, the Manchester Art Gallery is home to paintings from across the world. The building houses pre-Raphaelite paintings that take up the majority of the building.

Their newest exhibition called Strange and Familiar is worth a look at before it disappears on Monday, May 29 2017. Curated by Martin Parr, the gallery celebrates the work of leading photographers from the 1930s onward, capturing social, cultural and political identity of the UK.

Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL

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