Three to see this weekend: reading, riding and animal rescue

It’s an action-packed weekend in Manchester. Whether you want to get out in the sun or enjoy some cool downtime, there is something for everyone.

Make the most of the last weekend of The Manchester Jazz Festival, or there’s plenty of Greater Manchester Fringe events taking place. Plus it’s Festwich – the UK’s largest free tribute festival, based in Prestwich. The Hallé Orchestra are putting on their Last Night of the Hallé Proms to bring their summer season of music to an end, and for an uplifting choir experience, The Sunday Boys are performing their Our Manchester Home concert on Sunday. 

It’s also the MCM Manchester Comic Con. Book your tickets in advance so you can make the most of the array of special guests and stalls inside the Manchester Central Convention Complex. Or if you aren’t participating, wait outside to see all the creative costumes at the UK’s biggest pop culture event. Expect Marvel characters and great geekery – plus The Anthologist has even made a photo filter especially for the occasion, so you can make those snaps look extra good.

It’s also the Bee in the City Weekender, with food and drink, live music and street theatre as well as the Bee Market in and around New Cathedral Street. We hope you are enjoying the series of statues, too. 

Donkey Sanctuary Open Day

Donkeys have some of the softest ears of any animal. Soon you will be able to pet one for yourself, as The Donkey Sanctuary is having an animal-loving open day on Saturday. Based at Green Fold close to Gorton, this sanctuary has a resident herd of 20 donkeys and you will be able to learn much more about them. There will also be a companion dog show, the shop will be open selling donkey-related goodies, plus there will be local stallholders, a BBQ and ice cream vans. This summer day out is ideal for all the family, and children can enjoy crafts, face painting and a bouncy castle. Entry is free and so is parking, based at the nearby Wright Robinson College. Saturday 28th July, Green Fold, Abbey Hey, 10am-3pm. 

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Tour de Schloss bike ride

As the world’s most famous cycling race the Tour de France comes to an end on Sunday, Manchester is staging its very own version. Albert’s Schloss has put together a Tour De Schloss route around the city, so participants can enjoy a 22km cycling course designed for all ages and abilities. The family-friendly day will begin at Albert’s Schloss, which will be specially transformed into a cycling hub (complete with a beautiful 1987 gold plated Raleigh Centenary bike on display) and there will be a Rapha cycling pop-up plus Tour de France on the big screen. Tuck into sausage sandwiches and espressos at 8.30am before the ride begins at 9am. On return, all cyclists can have a refreshing radler on the house (with shakes for kids) as well as ice creams – and stay to enjoy the afternoon, as there will be space to park up your bikes, too. Be sure to register online. Sunday 29th July, from 8.30am, Albert’s Schloss.

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Chetham’s Library Open Day

Did you know that Chetham’s Library, close to Manchester’s Victoria Station, is the oldest public library in the English-speaking world? It is a brilliant place to visit and you can get behind the scenes of this 1653-founded library (the building itself dates from as early as 1421) for a fascinating ‘Volunteer Tour’ this Sunday. On this tour, participants will find out about what it is the like to work in this historic space, plus there will be the opportunity to meet volunteers and staff as well as the chance to find out more about getting involved yourself. You can also see the very desk where Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels sat to write. Sunday 29th July, Chetham’s Library, Long Millgate. 

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