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Free things to do at MIF25

Creative Tourist

The wait is over – Manchester International Festival is back this summer. After two years of preparing yet another programme of exhilarating events, there are world-famous names and young talent from all corners of the world, right on our doorstep.

They say the best things in life are free and, as always, MIF has an array of free events to choose from. Everybody can get involved and take in the festival’s unique atmosphere.

Festival Square is back on the banks of River Irwell, hosting music and spoken word performances, family friendly events throughout the day and DJ-sets late into the night, all without having to reach for your wallet.

Elsewhere you’ll find giant animal puppets, Indigenous ceremonies and live art-making. Take a look at the events below to find out more and plan your perfect (free) MIF25 day out.

Our top picks

MIF25: An Inheritance at Manchester Art Gallery

An Inheritance at Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, Until 2 November 2025, Free entry - Visit now

Manchester’s young people create a time capsule to capture the essence of their world today: the resulting exhibition is on display now and will be again in 100 years’ time.

Find out more
An open capsule on a beach at night. The image has a pink hue.
Factory International

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Tilly and the bear
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Champagne flute swirling in front of a Christmas tree.
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Helen Chadwick posing with a sculpture called Piss Flowers taken during the exhibition Helen Chadwick: Effluvia, held at the Serpentine Gallery, London, in 1994
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An illustration people shopping at The Hepworth Wakefield Festive Market
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If at First Main Image
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Mother and daughter play with smell interactive_Operation Ouch! Brains, Bogies and You
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Destinations

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

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Take me there

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Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
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Poet Helen Mort.
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A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
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