• Manchester Literature Festival presents Tayari Jones

    Performance Space

    One of the most irresistible voices in contemporary fiction Tayari Jones discusses her highly anticipated new novel Kin. Born days apart, Vernice and Annie share loss and friendship. Growing up in segregated America, their paths diverge, until danger forces Vernice to risk everything. An exploration of love, loyalty and motherhood, powerful.  Presented in partnership with the Centre for New Writing and Creative Manchester […]

  • Manchester Histories Festival 2026

    Manchester Histories Festival returns for its 10th edition, bringing people together in and around Central Library to explore the theme of Civic Pride. Expect stories, creativity, conversation and community collaboration, celebrating Greater Manchester’s past, present and future. Join us on Saturday 6 June for the Celebration Day, including the Histories & Heritage Marketplace in Rates […]

  • Talk English Circles

    Recurring
    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. Book your free ticket at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1986065030971?aff=oddtdtcreator Free – just drop in. Please make […]

  • Festival of Libraries: MMU Manchester Skill Map

    Recurring
    Ground Floor

    Join us for an interactive activity connecting Manchester residents to skills, opportunities and each other. Discover skills you can learn, share knowledge and shape your future in this fun and engaging workshop. Find out more at https://rise.mmu.ac.uk Free – just drop in Please consider making a donation here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes […]

  • Storytelling & Moving Image Showcase: A Schools Takeover

    Performance Space

    This June, Manchester Central Library hosts the showcase for SNE Studios Storytelling & Moving Image pilot – a programme delivered in partnership with St Peter’s RC High School and Manchester City of Literature. Over eight weeks, students from St Peter’s have worked alongside professional creatives to understand the power of storytelling and narrative voice, get […]

  • Festival of Libraries: Lifelong Learning Summer Roadshow

    Lower Ground Floor

    Join Trafford and Stockport College Group for Summer Roadshow. Take part in hands-on, interactive workshops where you can create your own floral buttonhole and jewellery, design a personalised craft box and discover new opportunities at our Gateway to Lifelong Learning information session. Come along, try something new, and leave with a renewed passion for learning. […]

  • Heartstone: KFOR AND KOSOVO +25 Event

    Performance Space

    On June 12th, the photo-documentary exhibition, ‘KFOR and Kosovo +25’, is at the centre of an extraordinary event being staged at Manchester Central Library as part of Manchester’s Festival of Libraries. Produced by internationally acclaimed photographer, Nick Sidle, covering the period 2000-1, in the aftermath of the 1999 Kosova war, the exhibition tells an uplifting […]

  • Festival of Libraries: MMU Manchester Skill Map

    Recurring
    Ground Floor

    Join us for an interactive activity connecting Manchester residents to skills, opportunities and each other. Discover skills you can learn, share knowledge and shape your future in this fun and engaging workshop. Find out more at https://rise.mmu.ac.uk Free – just drop in Please consider making a donation here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes […]

  • A Dance for my Foremothers

    Performance Space

    Get ready to move and honor the powerful women who came before us with a dance experience full of soul and stories. Dance has long brought people together and is a key part of the Baganda People of Uganda. This workshop explores how dance can challenge authoritarian rule, focusing on how Baganda dances strengthen community […]

  • Choirs Manchester – Live Performance

    Henry Watson Music Library

    Come along to the Henry Watson Music Library for some exceptional choral music from: Choirs Manchester. Choirs Manchester are a collective of choirs running in Chorlton and Withington. They are all about singing to feel good and love nothing more than performing their original arrangements of current and classic tunes. They have performed yearly at the […]