• Exiles and Descendants

    Archives+ Ground Floor

    This exhibition from Polonia Northern England uncovers the remarkable history of a Polish community (Polonia) deported and displaced during WWII. Through photographs, letters, and personal documents, it showcases experiences of […]

  • Festival of Libraries 2026

    Join us for this celebration of Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries. The award-winning festival, supported by Arts Council England, features a vibrant programme that highlights the library network’s full offer, across […]

  • Festival of Libraries Sunday Funday

    Ground Floor

    Join us for a special Sunday opening as we celebrate the final day of Festival of Libraries 2026. Expect special performances, music, exhibitions, craft sessions, and lots of fun for […]

  • Manchester Literature Festival presents Natalie Haynes

    Performance Space

    Bestselling author and broadcaster Natalie Haynes returns to Manchester Literature Festival to discuss her powerful new novel No Friend to This House - an extraordinary reimagining of the myth of Medea.   Based on Euripides’ […]

  • Refugee Week Celebrations

    Lower Ground Floor

    Join us for a special day of events celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Experience a community Persian Calligraphy taster session led by Iranian […]

  • Dragon Boat Festival Celebration

    Join us for an interactive session celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival with Chinese Music Classroom at Chetham’s School of Music. Learn about this traditional Chinese holiday by making your own […]

  • Crime Central

    Performance Space

    Crime Central is the monthly crime and thriller fiction event at Manchester Central Library. AUTHORS APPEARING IN JUNE ARE LIZZY BARBER, LIV MATTHEWS AND CHARLOTTE DUCKWORTH! Bringing the best from […]

  • 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 […]

  • Never Mind The Books Here’s PUNK DAY!

    Henry Watson Music Library

    This July, the Henry Watson Music Library will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Sex Pistols’ iconic 1976 gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall. A definitive milestone in the […]