Sanctuary, now and then: asylum, migrant rights and anti-deportation in Britain since the 1980s
2025-11-07 12:00 - 15:00 UTC | Performance Space
Sanctuary movements have long been a part of the movement for migrant rights in Britain, but the meaning of sanctuary and the forms it has taken have varied dramatically. This event brings together scholars and practitioners of sanctuary, past and present, to discuss its history, trajectories, current forms, and possible futures in this country.
Hosted by the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre and Education Trust, and the Raphael Samuel History Centre, we’ll be joined by:
Stuart Crosthwaite, a migrant-rights campaigner, writer and organiser in Sheffield. He is currently Secretary of the South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group (SYMAAG).
Amy Grant, a historian of the UK sanctuary and anti-deportation movements, based at the University of East Anglia.
Rachel Humphris, a political sociologist at Queen Mary University of London. She is the author of ‘Making Sanctuary Cities: Migration, Citizenship and Urban Governance’ (2025).
Paul Weller, who has written extensively on the sanctuary movement and was involved in many sanctuary campaigns in the North West in the 1980s and 1990s.
Food will be provided by our friends at ‘The Little Sri Lankan’.
Free – book tickets here or click on ‘Book now’ below.

Keeping Our Stories Alive: A Community Archiving Starter Kit
2025-11-08 13:30 - 16:30, 2025-11-15 13:30 - 16:30 | AIU Race Relations Centre
Join us for two hands-on workshops designed to give you the skills to collect, preserve, and share the stories that matter most.

🗣️ Keeping Our Stories Alive: A Community Archiving Starter Kit
Dates: Saturday 8th & Saturday 15th November 2025
Time: 1:30 pm start
Location: Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre & Education Trust, Central Library, Manchester
Tickets: Free — Book one or both workshops
Join us for two hands-on workshops designed to give you the tools to capture, preserve and protect our community’s stories for generations to come. Whether you’re a curious beginner, community organiser, artist, or family historian, these sessions will equip you with essential skills to record oral histories and prepare them for archiving.
Led by the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre & Education Trust, these workshops centre African, Caribbean and migrant narratives in Manchester, recognising the power of community-led archiving.

Workshop 1: Why Our Stories Matter & Oral History Skills
Saturday 8th November | 1:30 pm start
This session introduces the foundations of community archiving and the purpose of collecting oral histories. Learn why preserving our stories is vital, and gain practical skills in:

Oral history theory and ethical interviewing
Recording techniques and gaining consent
Practising interview skills with guided prompts

Optional: 45-minute tour of the library’s digital exhibition space.
You’ll leave with: a deeper understanding of why oral storytelling matters and the confidence to start gathering stories from family, friends and community members.

Workshop 2: Preserving and Preparing Our Stories for the Future
Saturday 15th November | 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
This session focuses on what happens after you collect a story. Learn practical skills to prepare and preserve material for the future, including:

Writing indexes and summaries from recorded stories
An introduction to Audacity (or alternative) for basic audio editing
Sensitivity reviews and data protection essentials
Guided activities using short practice interviews
Looking at real examples from African and Caribbean archives

📚 Optional: Mini tour of archive collections.
You’ll leave with: the confidence to handle recorded material responsibly and the practical skills to support community archiving efforts.

Why Attend Both?
While each workshop can be attended separately, together they form a complete introduction to community archiving — from collecting powerful oral histories to preserving them for future generations. These are valuable, transferable skills that are rarely taught in one place, making this a brilliant opportunity for anyone passionate about community, culture and legacy.

What to bring: Yourself, a notebook and pen.
Who it’s for: Community members, educators, creatives, students, archivists-in-the-making, or anyone curious about preserving local history.
Cost: Free, limited spaces available, so booking is essential.

Manchester Animation Festival 2025
2025-11-10 08:00 - 2025-11-13 17:00
Join us as we host activities for the UK’s largest Animation Festival, dedicated to celebrating the animated art form. The festival brings one of the UK’s biggest animation hubs together with the international community to delight in all things animated. We’ll also have exclusive talks and signings with the MAF book club!

Mon 10 Nov, 12:30-7pm (Performance Space 1) – Animated Immersive Experiences (15) – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Mon 10 Nov, 12:30-7.30pm (Performance Space 2) – Cartoon Saloon On Loop (12A) – Celebrating over a quarter of a century of Cartoon Saloon we will be playing selections from their short film back catalogue back to back at Manchester Central Library. See how the studio has evolved and indulge in stylishly told tales delivering messages that will stay with you forever.
Tues 11 Nov, 9:30-1pm (Performance Space 1) – Animated Immersive Experiences (15) – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Tues 11 Nov, 1-3pm (Performance Space 1) – PRIVATE: JURY Animated Immersive Experiences – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Tues 11 Nov, 3-7.30pm (Performance Space 1) – Animated Immersive Experiences (15) – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Tues 11 Nov, 3.45-5.15pm (Performance Space 2) – MAF Book Club: Beryl with Joanna Quinn plus signing – Join Academy Award-nominated and multi BAFTA-winning animator Joanna Quinn for a lively celebration of her new book, Beryl. Watch a true master at work in an exhilarating live drawing session and hear the stories behind her acclaimed films. Beryl offers a fascinating look into the creative process of Joanna and writer Les Mills, packed with sketches, storyboards, artwork and riotous humour from the duo behind Affairs of the Art and Body Beautiful. This inspiring event will be followed by a signing so you can take Beryl home with you! Book tickets here: MAF Book Club: Beryl with Joanna Quinn plus signing | MAF 2025
Tues 11 Nov, 6-7.30pm (Performance Space 2) – MAF Book Club: Intimate Animation plus signing – Join Skwigly Editor in Chief Ben Mitchell and Dr. Laura-Beth Cowley for a special presentation of their new book, Intimate Animation. Explore the landscape of contemporary animated films that deal with themes of love, intimacy, relationships, anatomy and sexuality — and the incredible artists behind them. MAF Book Club: Intimate Animation plus signing | MAF 2025
Wed 12 Nov, 9.30am-7.30pm (Performance Space 1) – Animated Immersive Experiences (15) – A selection of the best in immersive animated content submitted to Manchester Animation Festival from around the world. VR and 360 films showcase brave new worlds for animation fans to explore.
Wed 12 Nov, 9.30am-7.30pm (Performance Space 2) – Cartoon Saloon On Loop (12A) – Celebrating over a quarter of a century of Cartoon Saloon we will be playing selections from their short film back catalogue back to back at Manchester Central Library. See how the studio has evolved and indulge in stylishly told tales delivering messages that will stay with you forever.

Free – drop in – except Tues 11 Nov events where indicated tickets needed.
For more information about the festival visit: Manchester Animation Festival 2025 | 9-13 November 2025
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Cole Stacey - Live
2025-11-18 18:00 - 20:30 | Performance Space
Cole Stacey performs his debut album live in the magnificent Manchester Central Library, part of a series of 5 concerts in truly remarkable places.
Immerse yourself in this remarkable space in the heart of Manchester, for one of five unique concerts with Cole Stacey as he presents his critically acclaimed debut album Postcards From Lost Places.
The concert itself will take place in the Performance Space in Manchester’s iconic Central Library. Internally, the room sits alongside Archives+, with the landmark Midland Hotel forming the external backdrop beyond the grand floor-to-ceiling windows.
Bringing together his years of experience on stage, Cole’s deeply personal solo shows are rooted in storytelling, directed by a love of popular song and have connection with people and places at their heart.
See Cole’s latest video – an acoustic re-imagining of Fade To Grey featuring Midge Ure, which is climbing the charts.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN EARLY EVENING SHOW STARTING AT 6PM

“A magnificent sound” – Patrick Kielty, BBC Radio 5 Live
“Breathtaking, that incredible voice” – TradFolk
“He is incredible”– Times Radio
The first 20 tickets available for a reduced price of £13
Book Tickets by clicking the ‘Book Now’ button below or on eventbrite here

Stroboscopic Synergy
2025-11-22 08:00 - 2025-12-13 17:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Photographer Tracey Welch and five musicians from diverse musical backgrounds come together in an exploration of photography and music. A fascinating collaborative project and exhibition, inspiring new connections, shared experience and experimental composition.
In 2022, photography and music came together in the Stroboscopic Project, an exploration of photographic technique and musical inspiration. Such was its success, the project has continued to evolve and its latest incarnation, Stroboscopic Synergy is about to emerge, in the form of new visuals, cross genre musical composition and a documentary film. Un-Convention Manchester will be the first opportunity to view the latest still images from the project, featuring musicians Leonore Wheatley (vocals and synth), Inder Goldfinger (Tabla), Rich Westley (drums), Charlotte Cartwright (piano and vocals) and James Adrian Brown (guitar). The exhibition will then move to Manchester’s Central Library, where visitors will also get an insight into the stop motion style moving imagery and music.
Stroboscopic Synergy has once again attracted support from Arts Council England. Photographer Tracey Welch, who co-founded the project with drummer Rich Westley (Reverend and the Makers) feels this underlines the creative value of their latest collaboration:
“The artists involved in Stroboscopic Synergy are from really diverse musical backgrounds. The stop motion style of photography enables them to reflect on their performance in a really unique way. This, in
turn, inspires musical experimentation and an exchange of creative ideas. It has been really fascinating to document the process in film”. The collaboration culminated in a studio session where artists came together to develop and deliver a completely new, organic composition. “We’re excited to share the new, stroboscopic images in Manchester, alongside some of the music and some stop-motion style film. Like the musicians, I’m learning from the experience and inspired by the energy and creativity the project has generated.”
Free please drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Electronic Sound Past, Present and Future: Delia Derbyshire Day 2025
2025-11-22 14:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
The tenth anniversary of Manchester-based charity Delia Derbyshire Day celebrates the unique work and legacy of this electronic music pioneer. Join us for an array of family-friendly creative activities. Be inspired, play with weird and wonderful sounds, and experience new artworks that reflect this fascinating heritage. Delia’s most famous work was the original Doctor Who theme in 1963, and her archive is based in Manchester.
Drop-in activities/displays:

Listening stations with creative electronic music by Delia Derbyshire and other pioneers
Play a game inspired by Delia’s music-making with Morse Code
Play with dreamy sounds and effects with Flowfal motion control accessible tech
Enjoy a hands on tape demo by North West Sound Archive
Explore some of the heritage of the Delia Derbyshire Archive
Create your own art and 3d models at the crafts station
Enjoy the quiet space with sensory/low stimulation listening and hands on creative activities
Explore new creative commissions available to listen to/view

Performances/screening:
2:30pm – Live audio-visual performance of ‘Glimmers’ – a collaborative 2025 commission by Zolatec (music) & hippiezilla (visuals). A 10 minute piece about resilience, hope and inspired by Delia’s playful spirit and innovative approach to sound.
3pm – Screening of ‘Daydreams’ (1972, 8 mins) – Delia Derbyshire composed the soundtrack for this experimental short film by Madelon Hooykaas and Elsa Stansfield. The film will be introduced by Madelon Hooykaas herself!
3:30pm – Live audio-visual performance of ‘Glimmers’ – a collaborative 2025 commission by Zolatec (music) & hippiezilla (visuals). A 10 minute piece about resilience, hope and inspired by Delia’s playful spirit and innovative approach to sound.
This event is supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Library Live at Manchester Central Library, Northwest Sound Archive, John Rylands Library
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Mystery International Film Screening
2025-11-24 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Welcome to the seventh edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.
This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.
Event Details:
• Doors open: 17:00
• Introduction to the film: 17:20
• Film starts: 17:30• Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
• Popcorn: FREE!
• Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!
With Manchester Literature Festival finished up and winter well and truly at the door, it seems about time to open the doors to the Manchester Central Library Performance Space once more to another entry into our monthly international film screening series. The rules are simple: we give you five films to vote from here and you’ll find out what won out at the screening.
The theme this month has very loosely turned out to be the cold of winter, but we’ll be sure to keep It nice and warm for you.
This month’s contenders are:
The White Reindeer (1952, Finland)
In the endless white lands of Lapland, a woman’s ritual to rekindle love turns her into a mythical predator. This eerie folk horror explores loneliness, suppressed desire, and ancient Sámi beliefs. Its haunting visuals earned acclaim at Cannes and the Golden Globes.
My Night at Maud’s (1969, France)
A chance evening with a bold, intellectual woman forces a devout Catholic to confront his ideals. Through quiet dialogue and moral tension, Rohmer crafts a philosophical study of faith, choice, and romantic projection—widely praised as a French New Wave gem.
Dead Mountaineer’s Hotel (1979, USSR)
A detective’s routine inquiry at a remote hotel spiral into a surreal mystery that feels like a Lynchian dive into the heart of Soviet sci-fi. This sci-fi noir critiques rigid authority and human fear of the unfamiliar, gaining cult status for its genre-defying style.
Under the Blossoming Cherry Trees (1975, Japan)
A bandit falls under the spell of a woman who demands increasingly grotesque acts. Set beneath ominous blossoms, this stylised trip blends folklore and madness, with Shinoda’s theatrical direction and Takemitsu’s score elevating its eerie beauty.
Ga-Ga: Glory to the Heroes (1986, Poland)
On a dystopian planet, a convict becomes a state-manufactured hero destined for execution. Szulkin’s biting satire skewers authoritarianism and media spectacle, earning cult acclaim for its bold, bleak vision.

Word Central
2025-11-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word.
Presented by Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries.
Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Kieren King.
Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 11th November 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 be offered a place on the reserve list.
Our special guest Kieren King is a Salfordian spoken word artist, a four-time UK National Slam finalist, and a Great Northern Poetry Slam champion. He was a host of Bang Said the Gun: Manchester, and the creative mind behind the acclaimed spoken word nights Slamchester, Evidently, and the Word War slams. He has featured on BBC Radio 4, performed for Musicians Without Borders and Amnesty International, and at the Kendal Calling, Edinburgh Fringe, and Glastonbury festivals. Kieren has also been a special guest at former NME journalist and Haçienda DJ Dave Haslam’s Not Quite Light Weekender, and been commissioned by Guy Garvey of Elbow to curate a spoken word event for Meltdown at the Southbank Centre, by Sky to write and perform a poem to launch their channel Blaze, and by Salford Red Devils Rugby League FC to celebrate their appearance in the Super League Grand Final. His new poetry collection, Spit & Sawdust, was published in September by Flapjack Press.
Event host Tony Curry is a performance poet, playwright and workshop facilitator. Raised in Crawley by English and South African parents, he has lived and worked in Manchester for three decades, running literature-in-the-community projects with a specific leaning towards mental health and wellbeing. His play, The Teddy Bear, was staged at Manchester’s Contact Theatre, whilst his solo spoken word shows include Brit Boy, Complicit Relations, Moving and The Odyssey, performed at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. Tony has recently toured his solo show Tall Tales for All Men, adapted from his collection Tall Tales for Tall Men Who Fall Well Short (Flapjack Press, 2012), at the Brighton Fringe and Chorlton Arts festivals.

The Great Hall Exhibition
2025-11-26 08:00 - 2026-07-31 17:00 | 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 is the Town Hall’s centrepiece. It includes a huge variety of conservation and restoration projects and is a great example of the work we’re doing throughout the building. Our approach to the unique elements of this space reflects the level of care needed for the whole project. This exhibition looks at just three details of the Great Hall to tell some of the story of the Our Town Hall project.

Free – just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Crime Central
2025-11-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
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 the scenes!
Showcasing blockbuster bestsellers, emerging talent and industry insiders, Crime Central will share the real story of what goes on in the crime world.
Meet your favourite authors!
With giveaways, audience interaction, book signings, the chance to ask questions and more – while bringing a crime fiction buzz back to this great northern city.
Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can basis from £2-£6 and can be booked here or click on the ‘book now’ link at the bottom of the page.

Hannah Brine – Live
2025-12-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Join jazz singer Hannah Brine for an intimate afternoon of winter music designed to get you right in the mood for Christmas. Those lucky enough to see Hannah open for Rumer at this year’s Buxton International Festival know how great her voice and her original songs are. There’s a reason why she’s been awarded Best Solo Vocal at Buxton Fringe for the last two years!
Hannah has spent 2025 performing all over the UK, including at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall and London Jazz venues the 606 and Pizza Express Live’s Pheasantry.
Hannah will be joined by a fabulous pianist to give things a beautiful, festive twist. So, if you’re in the mood for a White Christmas, come and enjoy a gloriously festive musical afternoon brought to you by one of our best local talents.
“Serene, velvety vocals…a new singer giving the world her valuable point of view” – Jazz Journal
“Brine’s effortless voice is smoothly in control throughout” – Jazzwise
“Brine’s voice is distinguished by its’ clarity, warmth and an inviting, rounded tone that draws the listener in” – All About Jazz
“Hannah’s honey toned voice caresses the melodies imbuing the words with a lightness of touch” – Jazz Views
“Brine’s touching vocal captures the emotional gradients of each syllable” – Old Gray Cat
Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Disability History Month Celebration - JOY!
2025-12-04 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
The Disabled People’s Archive (DPA) and North West Film Archive (NWFA) are hosting a free, disabled-led event to celebrate UK Disability History Month and the launch of DPA’s new project. Expect a DPA object handling table, a creative group film-making activity, a community lunch, and much more.
For more information and to book your free spot, click ‘book’ below or visit the eventbrite page here

Book Launch: Spit & Sawdust by Kieren King
2025-12-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Join Great Northern Poetry Slam Champion Kieren King for the launch of his new collection. Including an author performance, interview, Q&A, and book signing.
Pull up a stool, mind your pint, and drink in perfectly pitched poetry from the Great Northern Slam champion and four-time UK National Slam finalist.
With poems of pubs, politics, love, and life in Salford, Kieren King’s first solo collection is funny, fearless, and unapologetically Northern – poetry that belongs as much in the bar as on the bookshelf.
FREE EVENT, EVERYONE WELCOME.
“Stunning.” Adam Farrer
“Wonderful.” Mike Garry
“Beautiful.” Oliver James Lomax
“Alive with craft, wit, and spirit.” Reece Williams
“The best of working-class poetry.” Louise Fazackerley
Flapjack Press: flapjackpress.co.uk

Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
2025-12-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Business Generator
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a wreath making session! Join us for a relaxing hands-on workshop and learn how to create a beautiful wreath to take home with you. Suitable for adults. All materials provided.
Tickets: £27.80. Book your place here or click ‘Book Now’ below.
The workshop will take place in our new Generator Suite next door to Central Library. Please ask a member of staff for directions.

Embroidery and Cross-Stitch for wellbeing with artist Nabila Nabi
2025-12-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Ground Floor (Handling Tables)
Stories live within us — in our memories, our hands, and the quiet rhythm of a needle pulling thread. Join us to explore how storytelling and hand embroidery intertwine — how a single stitch can hold a memory, a dream, or a piece of expression. Free entry! All materials provided. Beginners welcome!

Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Mystery International Film Screening
2025-12-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Rebellion, identity, and survival

This event is for individuals aged 15 and over.
Welcome to the event page for the eighth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series.Event Details:

Doors open: 17:00
Introduction to the film: 17:20
Film starts: 17:30
Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3)
Popcorn: FREE!
Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or soft drink from the fully stocked café!

With the year winding down and the festive season approaching, we’re back in the Manchester Central Library Performance Space for another round of our monthly international film screening series.
The rules are simple: we give you five films to vote from here, and you’ll find out what won at the screening. This month’s (unintentional) theme? Rebellion, identity, and survival—stories that challenge norms and explore the human spirit across cultures and decades.
If I could show all five I really would as every one of these films is absolutely cracking, as it stands however I can only show one so get voting:
This month’s contenders are:
The Working Class Goes To Heaven (1971, Italy)
A factory worker’s life spirals after an accident, exposing the alienation and exploitation of industrial labour. Petri’s biting critique of capitalism and class struggle remains a cornerstone of Italian political cinema.
The Story of a Three Day Pass (1967, France/USA)
Melvin Van Peebles’ debut feature follows a Black American soldier on leave in France, navigating love and racial tension. A bold, stylish exploration of identity and prejudice during the civil rights era. An outsiders French New Wave film and one of the finest, a rediscovered masterpiece.
The Harder They Come (1972, Jamaica)
In honour of the late Jimmy Cliff revisit this reggae-infused crime drama about a musician turned outlaw, this cult classic captures the grit and dreams of Kingston’s streets. Its soundtrack helped bring reggae to the world stage.
Bacurau (2019, Brazil)
In a remote village, residents face a chilling threat that turns their quiet life into a fight for survival. A genre-bending mix of Western, thriller, and political allegory, Bacurau is a modern masterpiece of resistance and one of the last major roles of the late Udo Kier.
Enamorada (1946, Mexico)
A fiery romance unfolds during the Mexican Revolution as a revolutionary general clashes with a strong-willed woman. Fernández’s lush visuals and María Félix’s commanding presence make this a gem of the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.
We’ve made it easier to vote. Just click on the link here to book tickets and fill in your details. You’ll then see a drop down menu of the five films on the shortlist. You just need to select your favourite!

Blooming in the West – Flowers from China
2025-12-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
In this talk, Dr Fang ZONG will introduce some traditional garden plants of China and their journeys to the West. Their cultural symbolism, presence in art and medical applications will also be discussed. The seasonal plants will be highlighted, for example, bamboo, flowering plum and evergreen pine as the ‘Three Friends of Winter’.
Dr Fang ZONG was a biomedical academic researcher and tutor (PhD in Medical Science from the Karolinska Institute, Sweden), and is now a museum professional, providing research, consultancy, and curation of Chinese culture. She has been working at the Manchester Museum for more than 10 years and was part of the team which established the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery. She was personally awarded an Exceptional Performance Award by the University of Manchester in 2024.
Book your tickets now.
This event is part of the Manchester Confucius Institute Public Talk Series.
Photo By Zhao Mengjian 趙孟堅 b. 1199 – d. circa 1264 Taipei: National Palace Museum., Public Domain

Saturday Spectacular - Christmas Special
2025-12-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Our Saturday Spectacular turns Christmassy this December! With family favourite films shown on our big screen, some delicious snacks to dig into, Christmas crafting, plus a seasonal singalong too; this Saturday Spectacular is guaranteed to fill the whole family with yuletide cheer.
A family friendly event, suitable for children up to 12 years old.
Free- just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

United in Rebellion: The Story of the Anti-Nazi League
2025-12-13 13:30 - 14:30 | Henry Watson Music Library
Join us for this talk inspired by Geoff Brown’s book, ‘A People’s History of the Anti-Nazi League, 1977-1981’. Discover how the Anti-Nazi League (ANL) emerged from the streets, schools and music scenes of late 1970s Britain to confront racism and the far right.
Free – book tickets here and click ‘Book Now’ below.

Christmas Extravaganza!
2025-12-14 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us at Central Library for a special Sunday opening as we celebrate all things Christmas. Bring the whole family and get stuck in our craft sessions, listen to Christmas carols perform by local choirs, including Chinese Music Classroom at Chetham’s School of Music, and much more!
Performance Programme
Ground Floor
12 noon – Loreto Big Band
12.45 – Chinese Community Choir from Chinese Music Classroom at Chetham’s School of Music
1.30 – Manchester Community Choir
2.15 – Streetwise Opera
3.00 – Manchester Musical Youth
Music Library
12.15-1pm – Stretford Ukulele
2-2.30 – Chinese Community Choir from Chinese Music Classroom at Chetham’s School of Music
+ Christmas family crafts throughout the afternoon
Suitable for families.
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

Carol of the Bells-Film Screening
2025-12-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Performance Space
Join us for a special screening of Shchedryk, a feature film by director Olesia Morgunets-Isaenko (122 min), in Ukrainian with English subtitles. At its heart is the world-famous melody by Leontovych, Carol of the Bells. The film intertwines the lives of Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, and Russians against the backdrop of Soviet repression, occupation, and war.
This is a charity screening, with registration and donations welcome. A huge thank you to the film’s producer, Taras Bosak, for providing the film.
The event is organised by Sunflower Manchester in partnership with Kryla Culture CIC, with the support of the “Watch Ukrainian” Association.
Doors: 4.30pm. Film Start: 5pm.
Book tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below

Christmas Singalong
2025-12-17 17:15 - 18:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Ho Ho Ho! Come and join the New Horizons Choir for some Christmassy songs, a mince pie and some festive cheer. The choir will be singing in the Henry Watson Music Library on 17 December at 5.15 pm. All welcome to be serenaded by the singers and to join in with all your favourite Christmas tunes. See you then! Merry Xmas!

Free – just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Full Volume Podcast: Christmas Edition
2025-12-19 - 2026-01-18 | Online
Step into Christmas with Manchester Libraries for the final Full Volume podcast of 2025.
Back for one last hurrah before the year is out, presenter Alan Lynch and co-host Gary Parkinson have a nostalgic look back at what was a magical year for Manchester Libraries. Reflecting on the successful launch of the podcast and the litany of special guests who appeared on the show, Gary and Alan also chat to a whole host of staff from across our libraries to get their highlights. Elsewhere Danny Middleton gives us a sneak peak of events coming up in the New Year, whereas Head of Libraries, Galleries, and Culture Neil MacInnes gives us his exclusive insight.
Meanwhile, ascending folk artist Hannah Brine gets a grilling on her favourite Christmas songs following her recent concert at the Library. Plus, we have nostalgic reflections from three Central Library staff who worked in the building during the 1970s and beyond.
There’s also plenty of What’s On Tips, a book review of Christmas classic “A Christmas Carol”, and much more to enjoy on this December edition of Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast. ***** ‘Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast’ takes listeners behind the shelves of our city’s much-loved libraries. Presented by the Central Library’s own Alan Lynch, every month the podcast lifts the lid on a treasure trove of insider tips, exclusive interviews, book reviews, and much more. Receiving rave reviews and overwhelming support from listeners, the podcast has so far featured special guests such as celebrated authors and poets Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Kate Mosse, Jackie Kay, Tynah Matembe, and Kimberly Whittam, Manchester City Council photographer Barrie Leach speaking about his exhibition ‘Our Town Hall: Portraits of a Workforce’, folk musician Cole Stacey, legendary Manchester artist and illustrator Stanley Chow, Manchester’s Lord Mayor, Councillor John Hacking, BBC broadcaster and esteemed newspaper columnist Emma Barnett, International Women’s Rugby player Libby Andrew, plus Manchester City Council’s Head of Libraries, Galleries, and Culture Neil MacInnes OBE more. ‘Episode 11: Christmas Edition’, the new episode of ‘Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast is on all major streaming services now.
Turn it up, and tune in – now: Full Volume: The Manchester Libraries Podcast by Manchester Libraries | Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music | PUSH.fm
Watch out for a new episode in the new year…

Funny Stuff – Exhibition
2026-01-12 08:00 - 2026-02-28 17:00 | Ground Floor
A creative and humorous response to grief, memories and the stuff we accumulate, hoard and hate to let go, from Manchester comedy legend, Lipservice Theatre Company.
Sue Ryding is one half of legendary comedy duo LipService. In 2022 her comedy partner Maggie Fox died and Sue was left with a shipping container full of stage props, costumes, wigs, hats, shoes, sheep, you name it. This exhibition looks at all the “stuff” we accumulate, hoard and hate to let go.
In this humorous and creative response to grief, Sue struggles to part with a life sized stuffed sheep, a badger onesie, some ruby slippers, a sinking bog, Charlotte Bronte’s knickers and a host of soft toys.
Touring anecdotes are combined with archive footage from LipService shows. We follow the stories of things Sue has already given away, the wicker horse that appeared every night in an improvised panto, the vintage suitcases turned into a sculpture in Stockport, the crazy Chief Exec of the Tall Ships Festival who dresses up as a fish! Not all the items will be making it back up the loft ladder, so the audience is invited to take something home.
Sue is aiming to end up with “the right stuff”, a small selection that captures the essence of LipService Theatre to go into a national theatre collection. Help Sue on her journey of letting go.
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Manga Appreciation Club
2026-01-12 14:00 - 15:30 | Lower Ground Floor
Are you a manga fan? Never read a manga before but want to see what the whole fuss is about? Either way, this group is for you! Share your passion, meet new people and join themed activities.
Free – just drop in.
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Book Launch: Forbidden Waters by Rob Parker
2026-01-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Performance Space
Join us to celebrate publication of the second in Rob Parker’s Cam Killick series: Forbidden Waters!

We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of Rob Parker’s Forbidden Waters on the 15th of January at Manchester Central Library! Rob will be in conversation with Luca Veste, author of The Bone Keeper.
Doors: 5.30pm, starts: 6pm.
Tickets are £4. Admission is free when purchasing a copy of the book in advance.
About Forbidden Waters:
It starts with the knife. Found at the bottom of a hidden lake in the Norfolk Broads, covered in blood and heart tissue so fresh the water hasn’t yet washed it all away. What salvage diver Cam Killick has found is a murder weapon from a very recent crime – but how do you solve a murder without a body?
The remoteness of the setting is itself a clue. Only a handful of people know the location of the lake, let alone how to access it. But no sooner have Cam and DS Claire Rogers started working through this ready-made suspect pool than one of them disappears.
The ripples from Cam’s discovery have disturbed a dangerous predator, one who knows the water even better than Cam himself. The question now is what they want – and how many more people will die before Cam can stop them?
About the author:
Rob Parker is the author of Far From The Tree, the No. 1 bestselling thriller for Audible Original and the first instalment in the Thirty Miles trilogy, as well as eight novels for independent publishers. He is the host of both Crime Central Manchester, a monthly showcase of emerging crime writing talent and blockbuster bestsellers, and the Blood Brothers podcast. Rob lives in Warrington with his wife, three children and their dogs, and was inspired to write The Troubled Deep by years of holidays in the Norfolk Broads – during which he has never, he is pleased to say, found a dead body. Forbidden Waters is the second in the Cam Killick series.
If you cannot make the event but would like a dedicated copy of the book, please email events.manchester@blackwell.co.uk or call 0161 274 3331.

My Voice Travelling Exhibition
2026-01-19 08:00 - 2026-02-20 17:00 | First Floor
Manchester Central Library and The Fed’s My Voice Project are proud to announce the launch of the My Voice Travelling Exhibition – a powerful public showcase of Holocaust Survivor life stories that have shaped Greater Manchester.

The exhibition forms a key part of the Sanctuary Through Story: Inspiring Unity After Hate initiative and brings to life the extraordinary testimonies of Survivors who rebuilt their lives in Greater Manchester. Their stories – rooted in courage, resilience, gratitude and hope – offer visitors a deeply meaningful educational experience.

The exhibition helps people of all ages explore:

The dangers of prejudice and antisemitism
The importance of empathy, respect and moral responsibility
How diversity strengthens communities
Why rejecting hate is essential for a safe and cohesive Manchester

This launch is especially significant following the Heaton Park Synagogue terrorist attack, offering a space where communities can come together, reflect and reinforce Manchester’s commitment to unity, understanding and compassion.

The Travelling Exhibition will ensure these vital lessons reach people of all ages.
Free – please drop in

Talk English Circles
2026-01-20 12:30 - 14:30 | Ground Floor (Handling Tables)
Come along to Talk English Circles at Manchester Central Library to practise speaking English and meet other people. Learn English, build skills and step into ESOL with this programme funded by Economic Activity Trailblazer and Manchester Adult Education. Open to all levels.
Every Tuesday, 12.30-2.30pm
Free – just drop in.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Boardgames Club
2026-01-21 17:00 - 19:00
Join our free weekly boardgames sessions! Try new games, rediscover old favourites and make new friends. Open to all ages and abilities. Boardgames provided – just bring yourself.
Free, no need to book – just drop in
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
