By Adam Maidment

Copyright manchestereveningnews

It’s almost the weekend – and there’s plenty to enjoy across the next two days here in Manchester. For starters, it’s a big couple of days for sports fans. There be a host of screenings to coincide with the big football matches from Manchester United and Manchester City on Saturday, where they’ll be going against Brentford and Burnley respectively. There will also be the Ryder Cup taking place throughout the weekend, with screenings appropriately taking place in the newly-launched Pitch sports club and bar. On the more extreme side of the sporting world, the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship will take place at the AO Arena on Saturday, featuring a headline appearance from two-time World Champion and Olympic gold medallist James DeGale, as well as Matt Floyd, Aaron Chalmers, Jack Fincham, Jonny Graham and more. Stay connected with our City Life newsletter here But if sport ain’t your bag, then fear not, there’s plenty else still going on. Alongside concerts from the likes of Simply Red, at Co-op Live on Saturday, and Self Esteem, Saturday-Monday at Manchester Academy, there will also be big-scale theatre productions taking place including 13 Going on 30 musical at the Opera House and both Agatha Christie’s Death of the Nile and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story at The Lowry. We’ve rounded up five big suggestions taking place this weekend, including birthday bashes, free food, and an event which claims to be the biggest of its kind in the country. No small feat. As always, it’s important to double check all details and timings with the event organisers ahead of making plans as things can change at short notice. This weekend, popular Northern Quarter venue The Pen and Pencil will be celebrating its tenth birthday. In true style, the venue will be hosting a big birthday party featuring ten hours of DJs on Saturday (September 27). Running from 2pm to late, you can expect the likes of Banksie, Les Croasdaile, Mark Hogg, Danny Ward and A Deeper Groove throughout the night. There will also be a special bottomless brunch featuring limited edition cocktails, as well as free pints of Red Stripe beer at 10pm. The bar has also celebrated with a colourful art installation outside, which is inspired by its ten years and its New York roots. Owner Kevin Connor said: “We’re really excited to be celebrating being part of the Manchester community for ten years! New York’s Pen and Pencil was a classic steak and cocktail joint, and we’re proud to have created our very own iconic Northern Quarter hangout. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating ten years on Tariff Street.” Bottomless brunch bookings can be made by calling 0161660 3303. Walk-ins are welcome, subject to availability, but booking is strongly encouraged to avoid disappointment. Another party will also be held on Saturday, but this one will be held to mark the end of an era. GRUB will be moving out of its Red Bank base after five years, but it’s not goodbye. They will be heading to the city centre in a new capacity, but details on that are being kept a closely guarded secret for now. Running from Thursday to Saturday (September 25 to 27), the Green Quarter hangout will celebrate food, drink, music and good times with two-for-one cocktails, tacos, and shooters, and back-to-back DJs. The GRUB team have promised it’ll be ‘one last weekend and one final party as Red Bank goes out with a bang’. Be there or be square. Over at Diecast, Retro Football Shirts will be hosting an event which claims to be the UK’s largest (and perhaps only) vintage fair dedicated entirely to football shirts and merchandise. Around 35 traders will be setting up shop on Sunday (September 28) and selling their wares, from classic and new shirts to artwork and posters, as well as other perhaps unusual finds. “If there’s a seller that is selling something in the football space, it’s likely we’ll be selling it this weekend,” owner Tom Rainsford says. “It’s going to be a real celebration of everything football.” Set to be attended by around 1,500 people, entry costs £5 but there will be a discount for Manchester United and Manchester City fans who show their season ticket at the door. 100 fans from each club will be able to get 20% off the entry fee by doing so. The event runs from 12pm to 5pm. Tickets can be bought in advance here . Did you know that this Saturday is National Katsu Curry Day? It’s, admittedly, quite a specific celebration but one that is still worth celebrating none the less. In fact, you can celebrate with a free curry at Tampopo – if you’re lucky. The popular Asian restaurant will be handing out 100 free katsu curries and rice at each of its restaurants . That means the deal will be available at Trafford Centre, Corn Exchange and Albert Square. The offer will be available, subject to availability, from 11am to 1pm and will be only available as a take-away option, so bear that in mind. “Katsu has been a part of our menu since day one in 1997 – it’s a dish that’s nostalgic yet fresh, comforting yet exciting,” David Fox, Founder of Tampopo, said. “Over the years, it’s become a firm favourite with our guests, and this giveaway is our way of celebrating that love while showcasing the Tampopo difference.” We’re in that weird period of time where it’s not quite summer anymore, but the weather hasn’t really changed enough to be able to confidently say we’re now in Autumn mode. But I guess a harvest festival will certainly seal the deal for any doubters – Autumn has begun. Across Saturday and Sunday, Platt Fields Market Garden will host their very own harvest celebration. Join our Manc Life WhatsApp group HERE Organised by MUD, Saturday will feature day parties offering lots of dancing and plenty of food and drink. On Sunday, there will be more food and drink served at the café, whilst there will be family-friendly sessions of apple pressing and tree pruning to take part in, alongside a range of seasonal crafts and an allotment showcase (categories include Monster Veg, Best Sweet Pie and Best Hot Sauce). Saturday’s session will run from 12pm to 8pm, with tickets, from £5, here . Sunday will run from 10am to 4pm – free tickets here .