What's on

Reimagined City 2024: Summer Art Workshop

Performance Space

Join us for a painting workshop exploring Manchester migrant culture and sharing migrant story through art! Reimagined City: Summer Art Workshop is a painting workshop exploring international influence on local culture, stories of identity, and the migrant history of Manchester. Tracing identity through art, each participant will learn to paint their own canvas and share […]

Wisdom is the Principal Thing

Wolfson Reading Room

Manchester artist, Fiona Donald, has created an installation of drawings documenting the impermanence of the changing seasons. Initially Inspired by the quote around the dome of the Wolfson Reading Room she has created four large columns and 12 smaller pillars which draw on the rhythmic cycles of time passing. Some capture the immediacy of walking […]

Soundtrack to Your Life

Chief Librarian's Office

What would be your track? What's the story behind the tune? What would be your album and what would the sleeve notes say? Come along and let us hear your special track and tell us the story of what it means to you. Free - just drop in

Summer Silent Disco!

Performance Space

PLEASE NOTE - THIS EVENT HAS BEEN DELAYED TO A FUTURE DATE (TO BE ANNOUNCED) Forget the weather! We'll have no summertime sadness here. You'll be walking on sunshine at our special Summer Silent Disco! You've waited far too long for the return of the famous Retro Silent Disco at Central Library! It's time to […]

Ear Soup – Acoustic Food for the Soul

Henry Watson Music Library

Join us in the Henry Watson Music Library for a beguiling hour of acoustic magic from three local performers. Free - drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Scrumptious!

Performance Space

All is well at Sylvie’s Scrumptious Sweet Shop, P.C. Lee can’t resist the fruit cake, Stanley the Horse loves peppermint creams, and the Talkative Twins only cause a crumb of chaos. That is until a stranger arrives, and their irresistible ice cream threatens to spoil everything! Join us for this magical show about friendship and […]

Love Science

Join ‘Love Science’ this summer as part of the Marvellous Makers Club Summer Reading Challenge. Design and make light up pictures, use friction to defy gravity, and make a climbing model of your favourite book character to take home. Perfect for 5-11 year olds. Free - drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library […]

Crime Central

Performance Space

An hour chat with special guests Luke Deckard, Chris Lloyd and Emma Tallon - followed by a Q & A and book signing! Bringing the best from all over! Featuring the best and brightest crime writing talent both locally and from around the country - the big names are all coming to Manchester! Go behind […]

£2.00 – £6.00

Word Central

Performance Space

Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 13th August via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is essential that you stay within this timeframe. Performance slots are allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis from the stated booking time. If they are already filled you will […]

See My World: Connected Fragments-Art(s)cool Workshop

Performance Space

A chance to create your own piece of Canvas Artworks with one of the featured artists in the exhibition, 'DOU'. Come and explore how our worlds are connected through stories of history, heritage and culture. For all ages. Free, booking recommended. Please email alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk

Saturday Spectacular: Lowry Takeover

Performance Space

Come join our Lowry friends at Central Library and get involved in some fantastic fun for the whole family. From arts and crafts to interactive storytelling, engaging workshops and a chance to watch a classic story on the big screen, plus much more! Free - drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library […]

Tootally Wired

Performance Space

 Forget fast fashion – take a long look at an old favourite: the Tootal scarf. Join Manchester Histories Festival for a celebration of this iconic Manchester-made fashion accessory - a deep dive into this icon of accessories. Seven writers and artists premiere brand-new work responding to the history and culture of the Tootal scarf, designed […]