Top Picks

Free Things This Weekend

Good local plans needn't cost the earth. This page keeps an eye on the stronger free events nearby, so you can skip the faff and get straight to the promising stuff.

11–12 July Near Upton Rocks

Not every listing gets a golden ticket

We don't just scoop up anything with a £0 next to it. These picks still need to be nearby, useful, and properly explained, because 'free' is lovely but 'free and baffling' is less of a selling point.

Happening Saturday 11 July to Sunday 12 July.
Picked for Upton Rocks, not somewhere halfway across the county.
Only Local Gems and Curated venues make the cut, because standards are still a thing.
Listings with proper descriptions get bumped up the list. Three words and a shrug will not do.

Our 10 picks near Upton Rocks

North West Card Show1Free! (worth double-checking)

North West Card Show

at Liverpool Convention Centre

The North West Card Show is back! And so is Duncan Ferguson , fresh back from the World Cup and ready to meet all you Toffees! Be sure to grab an autograph or photo with the Everton legend himself. But that's not all... We're bringing 70–80 sports card tables to Liverpool, making this one of the biggest sports card sections outside of London and the Sports Card Social. The sports hobby is thriving right now, and we're proud to be giving it the platform it deserves. If you're tired of attending shows with just 4–10 sports tables, look no further. We've put a huge amount of effort into building a dedicated sports section featuring a wide range of vendors, from high-end cards and sealed product to memorabilia and collectibles. And of course, we haven't forgotten our amazing TCG community! With 190 TCG tables , on-site grading services, and even our on-site tattoo artist ready to give you that Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! or Magic-inspired ink, there's something for every collector. Whether you're into sports cards, TCG, memorabilia, grading, trading, buying, selling, or meeting special guests, this show has it all. This isn’t just a show — it’s an experience: Meet our mascots, create memories with friends and family, and be part of a fast-growing collector community. With 3,000 tickets available and a completely sold-out event back in February, this is one you do not want to miss.

9.9 milesSat 11 Jul
CuratedSee the details→
Community

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Twisted Disko3Free! (worth double-checking)

Twisted Disko

at Rosies - Chester

SATURDAY NIGHTS AT ROSIES CHESTER – THE BIGGEST NIGHT OUT IN THE CITY Your weekend starts and ends at Rosies Chester – the only nightclub in the city and the ultimate destination for a full-on Saturday night experience. From 4pm–4am, we’ve got everything you need for a massive night out under one roof. Karaoke in Popworld from 4pm Kick things off early with FREE entry and half price drinks before 10pm! Warm up your vocals, grab the mic, and belt out the biggest pop and party anthems. FOUR ROOMS. FOUR VIBES. ONE HUGE NIGHT. Popworld – The home of pop, party and cheese classics Dao – Chart-toppers and the biggest commercial anthems Zinc – Urban, R&B and the hottest club tracks The Pit – Rock, metal and indie bangers all night long With something for every music taste and every kind of night out, Rosies is Chester’s number one Saturday destination — the place where the city comes to party. Gather the squad, choose your vibe, and we’ll see you on the dancefloor.

14.6 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Spark #49: In There – Low Impact Photography4Free! (worth double-checking)

Spark #49: In There – Low Impact Photography

at Venture Arts Studio

The event begins at Castlefield Gallery, where Steve Sutton will introduce Out Here , an exhibition bringing together artists whose work explores our relationship with the natural world through a range of media, including photography, sculpture, drawing and installation. Participants will then take a short walk to the Venture Arts studios in Hulme.

21.5 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
Book Signing5Free! (worth double-checking)

Book Signing

at The Beatles Story

Join us in our free-to-enter Fab4 Cafe at The Royal Albert Dock to get your copy of ‘The Birth of The Beatles Story’ signed by its authors Mike and Bernadette Byrne.

10 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Talks & Lectures
Woodford Community Duathlon7Free! (worth double-checking)

Woodford Community Duathlon

at McA Fitness & Events

The Woodford Community Duathlon is a welcoming, beginner-friendly run bike run and swim bike run multisport event in Cheshire, organised by McA Fitness & Events at Woodford War Memorial Community Centre, Chester Road, Woodford, Stockport, SK7 1PS.

23.6 milesSun 12 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Community
The Crafting Live Show 2026 (Doncaster Racecourse, Exhibition Hall, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6BB)9Free! (worth double-checking)

The Crafting Live Show 2026 (Doncaster Racecourse, Exhibition Hall, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6BB)

at Saeed Ahmed

The award-winning Crafting Live show returns to Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July 2026 for another unmissable weekend of creativity, inspiration, and hands-on fun! Crafting Live is the perfect place to stock up on crafting essentials, browse new products, enjoy live craft demonstrations and take part in fantastic make-and-take sessions.

29.1 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details→
Arts & Culture
Fused Glass Workshop10Free! (worth double-checking)

Fused Glass Workshop

at Stoke-on-Trent City Centre

11am to 1pm Admission: £5 In these workshops by Paula Andrews, there will be opportunities to create Fused Glass artworks inspired by Nature, Colour and the Seasons. There are lots of projects to choose from including freestanding panels as well as dishes and tea lights. Each project is individually priced and payable on the day. Prices range from £10 to £40. Workshops are suitable for all abilities.

34.5 milesSat 11 Jul12:00
Local gemSee the details→
Workshops & Classes

More Top Picks

Keep the good ideas rolling

If this page has done the trick, there is more where that came from.

Round-upFamilies This WeekendTen family-friendly picks with proper details, decent venues, and no mystery listings that leave you guessing.Round-upRainy Day Picks This WeekendA shortlist for damp weekends: likely-indoor plans, cosy venues, and fewer reasons to pretend your coat is more waterproof than it is.All PicksBack to Top PicksSee all our curated round-ups in one place.