Family

Free jam-packed music session for children aged 4-8. Help your little ones develop their musical skills in a fun, friendly and accessible way. Presented by creative music charity Brighter Sound and led by Kabantu - a quintet of award-winning musicians and music educators, known for their infectious rhythms and beautiful melodies from around the globe. […]

Celebrate Manchester Science Festival and join 1001 Inventions to discover the world of 11th century Arabian scientist, Ibn Al-Haytham. Watch legendary actor Omar Sharif in an exciting short film, explore how we see with a camera obscura and engage in fun demonstrations of light, optics and vision. Suitable for ages 7+ Free family event - […]

Dare you spend a spooky evening inside Central Library? We are opening our doors for a very special Halloween Party! We've heard rumours that Dracula and his Bride will be wandering the corridors preparing for their Fiendish Feast! After the Fiendish Feast why not do the 'Monster Mash' with Frankenstein's Monster and Mr Pumpkin Head […]

An afternoon for all with a talk on Manchester Hill, a chance to handle original World War One archives with Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society, find out about the family history DNA project and arts and crafts for families. Free - please drop in

Join Manchester Print Fair for a day of shopping from local independent makers, fun and festive workshops for all the family, curated by partners G.F SMITH papers, and sit for 3 Minute Portraits from Fred Aldous!

Get your festive season underway with our annual family extravaganza.  Listen to a fantastic line-up of local choirs and bands, create your own Christmas crafts and enjoy a mince pie with us. Performances and activities galore, and Father Christmas will be here! Free – please drop in

It’s a children’s take over today! Manchester school children have chosen a Victorian and Time Travelling theme for the activities and content for our popular January family spectacular. Pop in and join us for free family fun. We’re sure you’re going to love it! Free - please drop in

On this day of reflection we will be screening the UK Premier of the film, Who Will Write Our History, which tells the story of historian Emanuel Ringelblum who defied his captors to ensure the Oyneg Shabes archive would survive the war. Performances by young people throughout the afternoon and family activity sessions based around […]

Come and welcome in the Year of the Pig at Central Library! Beginning with a Lion Dance at the front of the Library to let the new year in, there will be music and dance performances, and a demonstration of the Chinese Tea Ceremony. Plus we have lots of crafts and activities for you to […]

In preparation for World Book Day on the 7 March, let us help you get your character ideas flowing and costumes started! Come along for inspiration and assistance in designing, cutting and stitching felt masks, headdresses and logos to bring your Gruffalos and Gangsta Grannies to life. Costume Factory sessions will also take place at […]

Join us to celebrate International Women’s Day with an afternoon of free activities for families. Pop in and enjoy a range of craft making, watch films and see some of our amazing archives, created by famous suffragettes. Free - please drop in

For our latest Saturday Spectacular family event we welcome the Game Changers project which has taken place in all 10 Greater Manchester local authorities over the past few months. There will be lots to see and lots to do, including crafts with a Women's Suffrage theme. Young people across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester […]