Join Manchester Histories and Queer Up North for a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring how queer culture can build community, connect generations and sustain radical creative practice. Reflecting on the legacy of Queer Up North, the conversation will consider what the festival built, what it inherited, and what we can learn from it today. The panel […]
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 […]
Join us for Central Library’s French Storytime session. Listen to stories in French and English, 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
Join Manchester Histories and Queer Up North for a panel discussion exploring what today’s queer cultural spaces can learn from Queer Up North, cultural activism and the radical past. Looking back at the festival in the context of the AIDS crisis, Section 28 and wider movements for LGBTQ+ rights, the conversation asks what should be […]
Calling all chess players! Head to our handling tables area and put your skills to the test. Meet other players and meet your match at this informal and fun drop-in session with other chess enthusiasts. Part of the Cultural Welcome Week at Central Library. Open to all ages and abilities. Free - drop in Please […]
Come down to the Henry Watson Music Library for this relaxed, beginner‑friendly Vinyl DJ workshop - part of the Cultural Welcome Week at Central Library. Led by vinyl DJ and host Maimuna (DJ MuMu), this session is all about connection, creativity, and enjoying music together in a friendly, social setting. You’ll learn the basics of cueing, […]
Kylie Minogue is one of the world's most successful pop stars, and in his new book, Can't Get You Out of My Head, music journalist Michael Cragg takes us on a hugely entertaining journey from her early days on Ramsey Street to her current status as global icon. We're thrilled to be welcoming Michael to Manchester […]
Calling all students! Get to know your Central Library inside out with this behind the scenes tour. 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? What do George […]
Are you a wizard at Ticket to Ride? A fan of tableau building games? Come along a special Cultural Welcome Week edition of our free weekly boardgames sessions. Open to all ages and abilities. Free - drop in Part of the Cultural Welcome Week programme at Central Library. Please make a donation to support our […]
Calling all chess players! Head to our handling tables area and put your skills to the test. Meet other players and meet your match at this informal and fun drop-in session with other chess enthusiasts. Part of the Cultural Welcome Week at Central Library. Open to all ages and abilities. Free - drop in Please […]
Join us for a hands-on music production and DJ workshop at Central Library this October. Part of our Cultural Welcome Week programme. Welcome back your host and tutor Niah Jemijog for a 2 hour session designed to be an accessible, creative, and engaging tutorial for all experience levels. This small group session will cover the […]
RNCM presents… At the Henry Watson Music Library is a brand new series of concerts for 2026. Taking place in the historic music library of Central Library, these concerts will introduce audiences to the talented roster of musicians currently studying at the esteemed music College. From soloists to singer-songwriters, classical to pop, this lunchtime series […]
From dedicated performance spaces to stairwells, screens, nooks and domes, Central Library might directly inspire your next event or intervention. Contact us to arrange a tour.
