What's on

BSL Storytime

Children's Library

Join us and Manchester Deaf Centre’s Children and Young People’s Service for this session, which helps deaf children and young people to nurture friendships, skills and confidence for a bright future ahead! You will also have the chance to learn some signs during the session. Free - Please make a donation to support our Library […]

An Evening with Alan Hollinghurst & Andrew McMillan

Performance Space

‘Did I have a grievance? Most of us, without looking far, could find something that had harmed us, and oppressed us, and unfairly held us back. I tried not to dwell on it, thought it healthier not to, though I’d lived my short life so far in a chaos of privilege and prejudice.’ One of the finest writers […]

Poppycock

Henry Watson Music Library

Poppycock, featuring Una Baines, perform their album 'Magic Mothers' (one of Louder Than War's Top 100 albums of 2024), alongside artwork by Pascal le Gras and Suzanne Smith. Band on stage at 6pm. Free - please drop in

Word Central with Guest Poet Griot Gabriel!

Performance Space

Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word. Tuesday 28th January, 6.00pm – 7.45pm, at Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD. Doors open 5.40pm and free entry. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Griot Gabriel. Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 14th January via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk. N.B. Open mic […]

Chinese New Year Celebration – Saturday

Ground Floor

Celebrate the Year of the Snake as Bowen Education join us for arts & crafts, face painting, a selfie booth, and a Hanfu Show featuring traditional Chinese clothing. This event is a celebration of cultural fusion, bringing together Eastern and Western traditions to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in Chinese […]

Reasons to Rebel: Looking Back at the 1980s – EVENT CANCELLED

Performance Space

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED  Sheila Rowbotham will discuss her book, 'Reasons to Rebel'. In this memoir she recounts her experiences of putting feminist thinking into practice in her job at the left-wing Greater London Council (GLC). Rose Hunter is a member of the North Staffs Miners Wives Action Group. She […]

Chinese New Year Celebration – Sunday Funday

Ground Floor

Celebrate the Year of the Snake as Bowen Education join us on this special Sunday opening with with dance and music performances, arts and crafts, face painting (£2), and much more. This event is a celebration of cultural fusion, bringing together Eastern and Western traditions to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking to immerse […]

Lights, Camera, Pride! LGBTQ+ History Month Film Night

Performance Space

To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month we’re hosting a film night where you get to decide the film we watch. The LGBTQIA+ Staff Network will be turning the Central Library Performance Space into the plaza for one night only, complete with popcorn! Monday 3rd February 2025 Doors open at 5pm. Film starts at 5:45pm on the […]

Recurring

Conversation Club

Ground Floor (Handling Tables)

Would you like to improve your English conversation skills? Join our friendly group, improve your English, and meet new friends. Suitable for adults. 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

Ear Soup – Acoustic Food for the Soul

Henry Watson Music Library

Join us in the Henry Watson Music Library for a beguiling hour of acoustic magic from three local singer songwriters: Alan Roberts, Nick Ainsworth and Richard Frisson. 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

International Film Screening Night

Performance Space

Welcome to the Manchester Central Library International Film Society! We’re thrilled to have you join us for the very first edition of our film club. Our inaugural screening will take place on Monday, 17th February in the Central Library’s performance space, and we can’t wait to introduce you to the wonders of world cinema. Monday […]

Nova Scotian Folk Music Seminar

Henry Watson Music Library

Join us for a free seminar on Nova Scotian folk music, folklore and song collecting. Includes talk, discussion, screening, plus free tea and biscuits! Free - please drop in