• 40 Years of Funny Stuff – a Lipservice Theatre symposium

    Performance Space

    Join us for a symposium celebrating 40 years of LipService Theatre with retrospective footage, silly props and cake. LipService was part of the Manchester Fringe Forum, a consortium of 1980’s artists, whose work reached all four corners of the globe. We will have a panel of original members and explore why there was such an explosion […]

  • Family Film Club

    Performance Space

    Enjoy a special edition of the Central Library’s legendary Family Film Club! Bring the family for an afternoon of themed crafts and a family classic on the library’s huge screen. Screenings start at 1.30pm – drop in from 1pm. Most suitable for under 12s. Part of Super Duper Family Festival. Discover the full programme at […]

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    Little Reads

    Children's Library

    Brought to you by Manchester Literature Festival, Little Reads is a fun and 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. Part of Super Duper Family Festival. Discover the full programme at https://www.visitmanchester.com/super-duper-family-festival/ Free – just drop […]

  • Teen Book Club

    Teen Library (Lower Ground Floor)

    Age 13 -16 and love books? Want to read more and chat about books? Join Central Library Teen Book Club! Discover your next favourite read, share recommendations and join book themed activities. This activity is for ages 13-16 year olds only. Part of Super Duper Family Festival. Discover the full programme at https://www.visitmanchester.com/super-duper-family-festival/ Free - […]

  • International Mother Language Day

    Performance Space

    Celebrate the languages and cultures of Manchester’s local communities. Enjoy live performances, and try your hand at traditional crafts. Suitable for all ages, everyone is welcome. ] Part of Super Duper Family Festival. Discover the full programme at https://www.visitmanchester.com/super-duper-family-festival/ Free - just drop in. Please consider making a donation to support our cultural programme if […]

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    Talk English Circles

    Lower Ground Floor

    Come along to Talk English Circles at Manchester Central Library to practise speaking English and meet other people. Learn English, build skills and step into ESOL with this programme funded by Economic Activity Trailblazer and Manchester Adult Education. Open to all levels. Every Tuesday, 12.30-2.30pm Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to […]

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    Boardgames Club

    Join our free weekly boardgames sessions! Try new games, rediscover old favourites and make new friends. Open to all ages and abilities. Boardgames provided - just bring yourself. Free, no need to book – just drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless […]

  • Voiced & IMLD26: Polari and Poetry in Manchester

    Performance Space

    Voiced, the UK’s first creative festival for endangered languages, presents an unmissable evening of Queer poetry and performance. Presenting Polari, a hidden language of Queer experience, which will come to life in performance with Jez Dolan. Rosie Garland performs poems from Polari Prize-shortlisted What Girls do in the Dark and her recently published This Is How I Fight, an Observer Poetry […]

  • Behind the Scenes Tour

    Entrance Hall

    What do George V, Gypsy Rose Lee and Bernard Bresslaw have in common? Which musician was once thrown out of the Language and Literature Library? What would you find now in the space where Patrick Stewart and Helen Mirren – amongst many others – played their first roles? All these questions – and many more […]

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    Polish Storytime

    Children's Library

    Join our fun and interactive storytelling session in Polish! We will listen to stories in Polish and English. Suitable for children aged 4–7. Free – drop in. Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

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    Spanish Storytime

    Children's Library

    Hola! Come and join María at the Spanish Story Time monthly sessions, where you can listen to a story in Spanish and learn phrases and vocabulary, whilst having fun. We end each session making a simple craft related to the story. Suitable for children aged 4-7 Free - just drop in. Please consider making a […]