• The Great Hall Exhibition

    Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space

    Manchester Town Hall closed in January 2018 and work then began on a labour of love: a once-in-a-lifetime chance to repair, protect and update this architectural masterpiece for future generations. The Great Hall […]

  • Shakespeare and Manchester: A Victorian Powerhouse Exhibition

    First Floor Display Cases

    For the first time, this exhibition tells the story of how seven personalities transformed Manchester into a global centre of Shakespearean theatre in the Victorian era and reveals present day […]

  • The Long Road South to find True North

    Archives+ Ground Floor

    Take a poetry journey from loss to hope, from home to infinity, to find your own personal True North.  100 people from Cornerstone Day Centre in Hulme, many affected by homelessness […]

  • Irish Dancing Session

    Henry Watson Music Library

    In celebration of St Patrick’s Day 2026, Central Library will be hosting a special Irish Dancing Exhibition in its Henry Watson Music Library on the First Floor. Teaming up with […]

  • St Patrick’s Ceili Band Experience with Mouse’s Nest

    Henry Watson Music Library

    It wouldn’t be St Patrick’s Day without a ceili would it? So, on the weekend before the world goes green for Ireland’s patron saint, Central Library are hosting a special […]

  • Behind the Scenes Tour

    Entrance Hall

    What do George V, Gypsy Rose Lee and Bernard Bresslaw have in common? Which musician was once thrown out of the Language and Literature Library? What would you find now […]

  • LOVE STORIES etc Festival

    Performance Space

    #LoveStoriesEtc romance festival is returning for a third year to Manchester Central Library on 17th and 18th July 2026 for two packed days of exciting author panels, industry expert led […]

    Get Tickets £25.00 – £35.00 63 tickets left