• Sunday Funday – Chinese New Year

    Join us for a spectacular Chinese New Year celebration of the Year of the Dragon. We will have amazing crafts, performances, workshops amongst other exciting activities. Suitable for families. This event is free, but please consider making a donation to support our Library Live programme if you can, online, or at one of our cash […]

  • Reading Rascals

    Lwr Ground Floor - Manchester Histories Hub

    Reading Rascals is our very own monthly reading book club for children aged 7-12. Come and join us! For more information and to book, email angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

  • Blue Peter Book Club Live at Central Library!

    Performance Space

    Manchester Libraries, CBBC and The Reading Agency are excited to announce Blue Peter Book Club Live!  Blue Peter, the BBC’s iconic children's television series, is partnering with The Reading Agency and Manchester Libraries on an exciting new initiative called Blue Peter Book Club Live. This ambitious project aims to inspire a love of reading and […]

  • 90th Celebration – Sunday Funday

    Performance Space

    This year, Central Library celebrates 90 years since its grand opening. Join us for this cultural extravaganza during Festival of Libraries Week, celebrating the old and the new, and the venue’s many highlights and successes over the past 90 years. Featuring music, performances, crafts, displays, and lots more fantastic family fun including: Edible Storytime Manchester […]

  • Chess Drop In

    Ground Floor

    Calling all budding chess players! Head to our Performance Space and meet other players at this informal and fun drop-in session. Open to all children and families. For more information, contact angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk or alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk Free - drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or […]

  • Little Movers and Shakers

    Henry Watson Music Library

    Meet us in our Music Library on the first floor for a fun-filled dance session! Suitable for children up to 7 years. 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

  • Imagination Gaming

    Lower Ground Floor Link

    Learn to play-play to learn! Taking gaming to a different meaning. These games are designed to challenge your brain with stimulating mental challenge across all ages and abilities. Can you beat the game? Free - drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation […]

  • National Playday

    Performance Space

    Want a challenge over the summer? Join our big play day event and find out what challenges you can take on this summer. We will have an extra Lego club where we will challenge you to make your favourite reading space in Lego. Visit us at the main entrance, where we will tell you about […]

  • Music Days: Born and Bred

    Performance Space

    Join us for Music Thursday at Central Library! Doodle Dance is a workshop that combines mindful doodling techniques with movement. Create doodles and dance moves of your own in this fun and playful workshop. Designed for children of all ages for those who love to move and for those who aren’t sure. So come doodle, […]

  • Scrumptious!

    Performance Space

    All is well at Sylvie’s Scrumptious Sweet Shop, P.C. Lee can’t resist the fruit cake, Stanley the Horse loves peppermint creams, and the Talkative Twins only cause a crumb of chaos. That is until a stranger arrives, and their irresistible ice cream threatens to spoil everything! Join us for this magical show about friendship and […]

  • Love Science

    Join ‘Love Science’ this summer as part of the Marvellous Makers Club Summer Reading Challenge. Design and make light up pictures, use friction to defy gravity, and make a climbing model of your favourite book character to take home. Perfect for 5-11 year olds. Free - drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library […]

  • Manchester Central Library Fun Palace

    Manchester Central Library will join hundreds of Fun Palaces nationally and internationally set to explode with free and fun activities for all. Join us on Saturday, 5 October, and master new skills from your neighbours, share hobbies with friends old and new, and celebrate the passions and enthusiasms of all of us! 10.30am-4pm: Informal Bookbinding Workshops (Ground […]