Summer Reading Challenge: Feel the Beat with Drumroots!
2026-08-10 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | Performance Space
Get ready to move, groove, and feel the rhythm! Drumroots brings the heart of Africa to life with high-energy drumming, vibrant beats, and joyful vibes. Whether you’re clapping, dancing, or drumming along, this is your chance to connect through rhythm and let the music tell a story. No experience needed, just bring your hands and your happy feet!! Suitable for ages 4-11. Space is limited.
Book your free spot via this Eventbrite link
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Summer Reading Challenge: Guitar Craft
2026-08-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Lower Ground Floor
A relaxed, drop-in creative session inspired by music. Children can design and decorate their own cardboard guitars using craft materials. Join the “big doodle” artwork which will be passed around for everyone to add to. Music will play throughout to spark ideas and create a fun, shared atmosphere. Suitable for ages 4-11.
Free entry, just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

LEGO Club
2026-08-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-19 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-08-26 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-09-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Lower Ground Floor
Do you love Lego? So do we! Drop in, pick your favourite bricks and build anything that takes your fancy. From castles to spaceships, the possibilities are endless! No need to book in advance. First come first served. Suitable for ages 4 and above.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

STEM Club
2026-08-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Lower Ground Floor
Put your lab coat and goggles on and join us for an interactive session that will get you excited about science! Expect spectacular hands-on experiments and lots of fun! Suitable for ages 6-11.
Free entry, just drop in
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Film Fridays
2026-08-14 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-21 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Unleash the musical theatre kid in you with this programme of music-themed films! Watch a family classic on the library’s huge screen, get involved in music-themed crafts and find out how you can take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Suitable for children up to 12 years old.
Free entry, just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Colouring to Music
2026-08-17 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-08-24 10:30 - 12:00 | Children’s Library
Join us for a relaxed colouring session in the children’s library. Let yourself be transported by the music and use the materials provided to create your next masterpiece. Perfect for those who want to discover the Summer Reading Challenge at their own pace.
Free entry – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Cosplay Teen Event
2026-08-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us for this accessible and inclusive cosplay event for teens that has been co-created with young people. Come in your best cosplay outfit, it might be bought or made by hand, it could be cosplay or wardrobe play, it can be anime, manga or book related.

Crafts
Cosplay competition
Interview with Milliner for TV and film Julia C Walker
Selfie area
Chill out area
Stalls selling related items

The event will be held in the Performance Space which will be closed to the public without a ticket.
Photography of participants will only be allowed with express permission of the attendees.
Open to young people aged 12-18. All adults must be accompanied by a 12–18-year-old or you may be refused entrance.
Free – please book via this Eventbrite link or click ‘Book Now’ below

Can You Dig It? Britannica Summer Challenge
2026-08-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Lower Ground Floor
Join us for Britannica Education’s “Can You Dig It?” Summer Reading event. This fossil-tastic drop-in event will provide a fun, dinosaur-themed activity kit to every attendee and the opportunity for children to explore Britannica Library to discover cool facts!
Free entry, just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Muslim Dads Read Too!
2026-08-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Children’s Library
Join publishing house Little Hibba for a special event inviting Muslim dads to come along and enjoy reading with their little ones!
Bring the whole family to Manchester Central Library’s children library to celebrate more Muslim books in the library.
Expect reading sessions for children, colouring activities, and much more!
Free – book your place on Eventbrite here or click ‘Book Now’ below
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Farsi Storytime
2026-08-24 15:00 - 16:00 | Children’s Library
Join us for a fun and interactive storytime session in Farsi and English!
Expect singing and crafts as we learn new words and make new friends. Suitable for children aged 4-7.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Summer Reading Challenge Singing Puppet Craft Fun!
2026-08-25 14:00 - 15:30 | Lower Ground Floor
Join artist Caroline for a fun, free Summer Reading Challenge activity! Get ready to sing, play, and create! Warm up your vocal cords and bring your puppet to life in this exciting craft session! Suitable for ages 4-11.
Free entry, just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Pride Storytime
2026-08-27 14:00 - 15:00 | Children’s Library
Kick off your Pride weekend early with a special family story and craft session at Manchester Central Library. Join us for a fun and interactive storytime with songs, rhymes and Pride-themed picture books. Then get crafty! Create your own protest signs and noise-makers, to celebrate in style and make your voice heard! We will also have a range of LGBTQIA+ children’s books out to have a look at – share your favourites and discover something new! Suitable for children aged 4-7 and their families.
Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Arabic Storytime
2026-09-05 14:00 - 15:00
Join us in Central Library’s Children Library to hear stories and sing songs in Arabic and English.

Learn new words and make new friends! Suitable for children aged 4-7. Free – just drop in.
Free – drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Little Reads
2026-09-16 11:00 - 11:30 | Children’s Library
Brought to you by Manchester Literature Festival, Little Reads is a fun, interactive workshop using drama, dance, songs, play and craft to explore children’s picture books. Most suitable for children aged 2 – 6, but all family members are welcome.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Italian Kids present La Pimpa
2026-09-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join Italian Kids for a fun-filled afternoon and celebrate La Pimpa, the beloved Italian children’s book character created by Altan. Enjoy themed crafts, stories and games! Italian Kids is an association of Italian-speaking parents who meet regularly to allow their children to make new friends, play, sing and practise Italian together.
Free entry – book tickets here or click Book Now below

Storytime & Singalong: European Day of Languages 2026
2026-09-26 12:00 - 14:00
Celebrate the European Day of Languages with Instituto Cervantes at Manchester Central Library! Come along as we sing and bring stories to life in English, Spanish, Polish and Italian.
Whether you are looking to introduce your child to new sounds, practice a second language, or simply enjoy the magic of live storytelling, this interactive session offers a fun, welcoming space for listeners of all ages.
To mark the occasion, our storytellers bring the beloved children’s book The Gruffalo to life in four languages, celebrating the rich linguistic diversity of Europe!
The Gruffalo is a renowned children’s tale written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. It follows the story of a quick-witted mouse taking a stroll through the forest, who fends off potential predators—a fox, an owl, and a snake—by inventing a terrifying imaginary creature called the Gruffalo, only to be shocked to encounter the actual monster later on.
The storytelling will be followed by a multilingual singalong and a craft workshop led by Magaly Flores. In collaboration with Società Dante Alighieri, Manchester City of Literature and Manchester Libraries.
Recommended age: 3-7. Free multilingual activity in Spanish, English, Italian and Polish.
Free – book your free place on Eventbrite here or click ‘Book Now’ below.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Manchester Literature Festival presents Little Reads Family Day
2026-10-24 10:30 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Take part in a joyful day of stories, theatre, music, dancing, crafts and family fun. Help create some magical shoes with The Elves and the Shoemaker in an interactive show from Peoplescape Theatre, packed with music, puppetry, clowning and storytelling. Strut your stuff with author and West End musical theatre star Robert Tregoning in a confidence-boosting event inspired by his latest picture book Dylan, Daisy and the Disco Ball. Explore storytelling through movement with dancer Magdalen Bartlett. Book tickets for the individual events and drop in for some free crafts. Suitable for ages 3+.
A Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.
Booking links:
The Elves and the Shoemaker, 10.30am – 11.15am | £6 – Book tickets here
Dance with Magdalen Bartlett, 12 – 12.40pm | Free but booking recommended – Book tickets here
Robert Tregoning – Dylan, Daisy and the Disco Ball, 1.30pm – 2.15pm | £6 – Book tickets here
