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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: THE HERDS

The Herds at Market Street Manchester, Manchester, 3–5 July 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

Manchester International Festival 2025 kicks off with an awe-inspiring outdoor spectacle as THE HERDS take to the streets of Manchester, Rochdale, and Wigan.

Find out more
The Herds, The Walk Productions
Image courtesy of Ant Strack.

MIF25: FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE at HOME

FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 4–20 July 2025 - Book now

Happening for the duration of MIF25, the Queer Indigenous collective FAFSWAG transforms HOME into a vibrant hub of visual art, live ceremony and discussion. Fāgogo is a free digital exhibition (one of three elements of the project) showcasing the work of artists as storytellers of cultural knowledge and experience.

Find out more
FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE
FAFSWAG

MIF25: An Inheritance at Manchester Art Gallery

An Inheritance at Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester, 4 July–2 November 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

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

MIF25: Venture Arts, Michael Beard

Venture Arts: Michael Beard at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 4–20 July 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

Venture Arts sets up a pop-up studio at the Lab, where artists can make art in front of our very eyes, along with collaborative experiments with dance and music. There are lots of exciting workshops you can join too.

Find out more
A painting by Michael Beard showing yellow, red and blue lines on a black background. There is a red image of a dancer upside down overlayed on the painting.
Michael Beard Venture Arts

MIF25: Festival Square

Festival Square at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 3–20 July 2025, Free entry - Find Out More

You’ll find the beating heart of Manchester International Festival 2025 on the riverside again this year, with Festival Square popping up on the banks of the River Irwell for the duration of MIF25. The perfect location to catch up with friends, watch new acts and scoff down delights from one of the many hand-picked street food vendors.

Find out more

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