• Cancelled: Polish Storytime

    Children's Library

    DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRMUMSTANCES THIS MONTH'S STORY TIME IS CANCELLED Join our fun and interactive storytelling session in Polish! We will listen to stories in Polish and English. Suitable for children aged 4–7. Free – drop in. Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation […]

  • French Film Club: La Haine

    Performance Space

    Join us and discover the best of Francophone and French cinema. Alliance Française de Manchester present this month’s film, the critically acclaimed social thriller ‘La Haine’, which follows 4 hours in the lives of three young men in the French suburbs the day after a violent riot. Screening is in French with English subtitles. Suitable for 15 […]

  • South Asian Heritage Month Crafts

    Lower Ground Floor

    Create your very own dholak drums, inspired by traditional instruments from India! These beautiful drums originated in the Indian subcontinent and have deep roots in South Asian culture. Suitable for children and families aged 5 and up. Come craft, create, and celebrate with us! Free - drop in Please consider making a donation if you can […]

  • Books on Your Head: Manchester Day Parade Workshops!

    Recurring
    Lower Ground Floor

    Crafting workshops for children and their families to make headwear inspired by a favourite book for Manchester Day, which this year is celebrating the joy of reading and books, and the city's link with Barcelona. Would you like to take part in Manchester Day on Sunday 26 July - make a book-inspired head dress or hat […]

  • Summer Cosy Reading Club

    Performance Space

    Bring a book, get comfortable and stay cool in our quiet, dedicated reading space. Take some time for yourself and escape into a story! Join our Cosy Reading Club at Manchester Central Library, a silent reading group offering a peaceful, shared space to unwind with a good book and talk with fellow book lovers. There’s […]

  • 2hr DJ/Music Production Workshop at Central Library

    Henry Watson Music Library

    Join us for a hands-on DJ and music production workshop at Central Library. Hosted by tutor Niah Jemijog, this 2 hour session is designed to be an accessible, creative, and engaging tutorial for all experience levels. This small group session will cover the fundamentals of beat making, mixing, and live looping/DJ performance, using industry-standard tools like Ableton Live, MIDI […]

  • Stereo Listening Booth – LIVE!

    Henry Watson Music Library

    A special matinee show from the Manchester electronic act LIVE from the Henry Watson Music Library. Ellesmere Port resident Patrick Oakford and Manchester's Travis Eagle write and perform original electronic / dance / trance / club soundscapes under the name Stereo Listening Booth. Reviewing the debut album ‘Disko Noir’, Louder than War magazine described the […]

  • Books on Your Head: Manchester Day Parade Workshops!

    Recurring
    Lower Ground Floor

    Crafting workshops for children and their families to make headwear inspired by a favourite book for Manchester Day, which this year is celebrating the joy of reading and books, and the city's link with Barcelona. Would you like to take part in Manchester Day on Sunday 26 July - make a book-inspired head dress or hat […]

  • Sunday Funday – Manchester Day 2026

    Ground Floor

    We're celebrating Manchester Day at Central Library! This year's Manchester Day celebrates our city’s cultural links with Barcelona. Following Manchester’s appearance at Barcelona’s La Mercè festival in 2025, artists from the city will return the visit. Alongside the international line-up, this year’s event also includes a book-inspired theme. So, obviously we're ALWAYS ready to celebrate […]

  • Race Centre Summer School

    Performance Space

    Come along if you are between 15-19 years old, of any background, and interested in anti-racism, local histories, creative practices. There will be 8 sessions (one morning and one afternoon per day), and you can attend all or as many as you wish. Food, drinks and necessary equipment will be provided.    

  • Little Movers and Shakers

    Henry Watson Music Library

    Calling all little groovers! Enjoy a fun, high-energy session filled with music and dance. Get ready to show off some moves – we’ll bring the tunes! Suitable for children up to 4 years old. Free entry - just drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our […]