• Discovering Manchester: Wildlife & Nature 

    First Floor Display Cases

    Wildlife is always just a walk away wherever you are in Manchester and the beautiful countryside that surrounds it. This exhibition showcases the creative talents and passions of our Central […]

  • Make Mine Manga: Exploring the Marvellous World of Manga

    Ground Floor

    A free exhibition for anyone curious about manga as well as the avid fan. Explore the origins of Manga in Japan, the creative techniques behind the art and discover the […]

  • Manchester College Students: Responses

    Wolfson Reading Room

    Foundation Art and Design Students from The Manchester College have brought the Art School’s ethos of research to the heart of our iconic Wolfson Reading Room. Each student has developed […]

  • Curry Mile – A Changing Neighbourhood

    First Floor Exhibition Hall

    A documentary photography project spanning 7 years (2016-2023). Photographers Michael Baker & Phil Portus explore ‘present day’ Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, and challenge perceptions of what ‘Curry Mile’ now represents, as […]

  • Paper Piano Exhibition

    Henry Watson Music Library

    Paper Piano – A Retrospective For the last 10 years, Paper Piano have been creating music related artwork and packaging. More recently they have focused on hand-made books; this combination […]

  • Marketing the Manchester Ship Canal 1919-1939

    Archives+ Ground Floor

    This new exhibition showcases a range of original publicity material and print adverts created as marketing for the Port of Manchester. This saw a revolution in publicity with modern ideas […]

  • Holiday Activity Fund Activities

    Performance Space

    Are you looking for something to do this summer which is fun, free and fantastic? We have lots of creative activities happening, and all participants get a free lunch! Suitable […]

  • Silence is Golden

    Henry Watson Music Library

    Join us for live music from local artists on Saturday afternoon. This summer the Henry Watson Music Library plays host to a special guest – Yamaha’s SILENT Piano™. As part […]

  • The Lowry Saturday Spectacular Takeover

    Performance Space

    Join The Lowry team at Central Library to get a taste of their newest free family exhibition: Julia and Axel – celebrating 30 Years of Favourite Stories. From arts and […]

  • Musical Theatre Workshop

    Performance Space

    Join Manchester Libraries for a super summer musical theatre workshop, brought to you in partnership with the Palace Theatre & Manchester Opera House. Sessions include a 2-hour practical musical theatre […]

  • Word Central

    Performance Space

    Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word Hosted by Tony Curry Presented by Flapjack Press & Manchester Libraries A free event every month at Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester […]

  • Paper Piano Presents: Gideon Conn

    Henry Watson Music Library

    Another "Paper Piano Presents", this time with Gideon Conn, the first artist to appear on the label. Known for effortlessly blending acoustic soul, jazz and hip hop, Gideon has a […]