What's on

The Society of Bookbinders – 50th Anniversary Activities

The National Society Of Bookbinders was founded in Manchester in 1974 and celebrates it's 50th Anniversary with a number of events, workshops and displays at Central Library between October-December.  All […]

Our Town Hall – Portraits of a Workforce

First Floor Exhibition Hall

Our latest first-floor exhibition comes courtesy of the team currently working on the Our Town Hall Project to repair, renovate and refurbish Manchester's iconic Town Hall. Extraordinarily little is known […]

Manchester Theatres Exhibition

Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space

Visit this latest exhibition showcasing items from our unique archive, including playbills, programmes, posters and other memorabilia, dating from the 18th century to the present day and documenting the vibrant […]

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 […]

Chapters in Change

Ground Floor (Oculus Area)

The images in this display, in the oculus area on the Ground Floor, are from TiPP projects working in partnership with regional Youth Justice Services. They capture movements of creativity […]

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 […]

Central Library: Ten Years of Success

Wolfson Reading Room

In 2024, Manchester Central Library celebrated ten years since its major transformation, and 90 years since its grand opening by King George V on 17 July 1934. This display in […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]