What's on

ACTING UP!

ACTING UP! tells the story of 40 years of HIV activism in the region through archives, testimonies and films. The exhibition honours the memories of lives lost and continues the […]

Piccadilly Radio Archive: Nobody Did It Better!

Ground Floor

Explore the history of independent radio in Manchester from the birth of Piccadilly Radio in 1974 through to Key 103’s 1990s heyday. This free exhibition tells the story of the […]

Punk: The Art of Rebellion

First Floor Display Cases

A new exhibition explores how punk exploded from the streets of 1970s Britain - raw, loud, and unapologetic. Born of crisis, it raged against capitalism, racism, and conformity. Through music, […]

 LGBT Foundation’s 50 Years of Queer Hope & Joy Exhibition

Wolfson Reading Room and Lower Ground Floor

2025 marks 50 years of queer hope and joy for LGBT Foundation—and the heart of the celebrations begins in the centre of Manchester. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund […]

From Page to Stage: 20 Years of Manchester Literature Festival

Wolfson Reading Room

Feast your eyes on two decades of literary magic with From Page to Stage, a photographic exhibition celebrating Manchester Literature Festival’s 20th anniversary.  This intimate collection of photos charts the Festival’s […]

Mystery International Film Screening

Performance Space

Welcome to the sixth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series. Event Details: • Doors open: 17:00 • Introduction to the film: 17:25 • Film starts: 17:30 • Entry: Pay what you can (recommended […]

Not just any old iron! Afternoon Lecture

Performance Space

Manchester Town Hall has been closed since January 2018 for an extensive restoration programme that will repair and upgrade the building to modern standards. The work will include the conservation […]

Not just any old iron! Evening Lecture

Performance Space

Manchester Town Hall has been closed since January 2018 for an extensive restoration programme that will repair and upgrade the building to modern standards. The work will include the conservation […]

Crafting Connections – Autumn Workshops

Lwr Ground Floor - Manchester Histories Hub

Following a hugely positive response to our spring and summer workshops, Manchester Histories is delighted to offer a brand-new series of 10 weekly (every Wednesday) crafting connections sessions this autumn. […]

Crime Central Returns!

Performance Space

Get it in your diaries!! Crime Central returns 24th September with a monster! Jo Furniss, Louisa Scarr, KJ Whitle and Michael Wodd will all be joining Rob Parker at Manchester […]

Northern Publisher’s Fair

Performance Space

The Northern Publishers' Fair returns this autumn with its biggest celebration yet of independent publishing, taking place on Saturday 27th September 2025 from 11am to 3:30pm at Manchester Central Library's Performance Space. […]