Library Live

Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors
2026-08-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-06 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-08-08 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Henry Watson Music Library
TheatreMCR presents The Comedy of Errors: a compact hour-long slapstick rollercoaster ride of Shakespeare’s most ridiculous comedy.
Expect comic capers, original music and acapella singing from the talented ensemble in the beautiful wood panelled setting of the Henry Watson Music Library.
Shakespeare’s classic comedy will be performed live at Central Library’s Henry Watson Music Library at these dates and times as follows:
Tuesday 4 August @ 6pm
Thursday 6 August @ 6pm
Saturday 8 August @ 1pm + 3pm
Tickets are simply ‘pay-what-you can’. Available below, or via Eventbrite here.
All donations go to Manchester Libraries to support future activities.
Instagram: theatre.mcr

LEGO Club
2026-08-05 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-08-08 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-19 13:30 - 15:30 | City Library
Do you love Lego? So do we! Drop in, pick your favourite bricks and build anything that takes your fancy. From castles to spaceships, the possibilities are endless! No need to book in advance. First come first served. Suitable for ages 4 and above.
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

Board Games Café
2026-08-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Ground Floor (Handling Tables)
Are you a wizard at Ticket to Ride? A fan of tableau building games? Join our free weekly boardgames sessions and enjoy 20% off in the library café! Open to all ages and abilities.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online

Craft Session: Princess Hat Making
2026-08-06 14:00 - 16:00 | Lower Ground Floor
Join us at Central Library for a fun and interactive craft workshop where we will be making princess hats. We’ll provide all the materials, just bring your creativity.
Free entry – 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

In the ordinary, there is always the extraordinary
2026-08-07 08:00 - 2026-10-31 17:00 | Ground Floor (Oculus Area)
As a working-class artist and photographer, Tricia Ashworth has always been fascinated by what society deems ordinary. The beauty, the nuances, humour, strength and steeliness of everyday life in the ordinary. This exhibition of portraits, from the north-west and beyond, explores and celebrates the extraordinary.
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.

Film Fridays
2026-08-07 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-14 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Unleash the musical theatre kid in you with this programme of music-themed films! Watch a family classic on the library’s huge screen, get involved in music-themed crafts and find out how you can take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. Suitable for children up to 12 years old.
Free entry, 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

Knitting, Cross-stitch and Embroidery Group
2026-08-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Lower Ground Floor
Join our new friendly group and spend a cosy afternoon meeting new people and learning a new skill! Have a go at knitting, cross-stitch and hand embroidery in a relaxed environment. All materials provided, just bring yourself. All levels welcome.
Pay what you feel.
Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online.

Ukrainian Storytime
2026-08-08 13:30 - 14:00 | Children’s Library
Привіт! Join our monthly Ukrainian storytelling sessions! Learn new words, listen to stories in Ukrainian and English and have fun! Suitable for children aged 4 to 7.
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

Arabic Storytime
2026-08-08 14:00 - 15:00
Join us in Central Library’s Children Library to hear stories and sing songs in Arabic and English.

Learn new words and make new friends! Suitable for children aged 4-7. Free – just drop in.
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

Intergenerational Music Making: Access All Ages Creative Community Hub
2026-08-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Henry Watson Music Library
Intergenerational Music Making invites you to join our age inclusive creative sessions, designed to bring communities together. Every session will include opportunities to get creative through music, art, poetry, movement, storytelling, and meaningful conversations that bring people together. Held in the beautiful Henry Watson Music Library within Manchester Central Library, the sessions are relaxed, flexible, accessible and welcoming to everyone.
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

Summer Reading Challenge: Feel the Beat with Drumroots!
2026-08-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Performance Space
Get ready to move, groove, and feel the rhythm! Drumroots brings the heart of Africa to life with high-energy drumming, vibrant beats, and joyful vibes. Whether you’re clapping, dancing, or drumming along, this is your chance to connect through rhythm and let the music tell a story. No experience needed, just bring your hands and your happy feet!! Suitable for ages 4-11. Space is limited.
Book your free spot via this Eventbrite link
Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library

Library Lunchtime Choir
2026-08-11 12:30 - 13:15 | Henry Watson Music Library
Fancy a sing on your lunch break? Or just a feel-good sing to boost your day? Then come along to our regular Library Lunchtime Choir session!
There is no pressure to be a virtuoso, we’re just singing to feel better. The session will be 45 minutes of warm-ups and an arrangement of a well-known tune. You don’t need to be able to read music, we will learn everything by ear using the lyrics.
Sessions are run by Sarah Adams (Choirs Manchester) and the ethos is all about setting a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy singing together as a group.
Come along with a friend or on your own, it’ll be a friendly, laid back session!
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

Summer Reading Challenge: Guitar Craft
2026-08-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Lower Ground Floor
A relaxed, drop-in creative session inspired by music. Children can design and decorate their own cardboard guitars using craft materials. Join the “big doodle” artwork which will be passed around for everyone to add to. Music will play throughout to spark ideas and create a fun, shared atmosphere. Suitable for ages 4-11.
Free entry, 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

Ukulele Workshop - Small group session!
2026-08-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Henry Watson Music Library
Led by tutor Jim Wallace, this Ukulele Lesson is all about confidence, connection, and enjoying music together in a welcoming setting.
For 25 years, Jim has been bringing his passionate music teaching experiences to venues across Manchester – and now he will be coming to Central Library for a evening of strumming and good company for folks of all abilities.
Whether you’ve never picked up an instrument before or you’re tempted to try something new, this workshop is open to complete beginners and rusty returners alike. No music reading required — and instruments are provided.
Perfectly timed for an after-work drop-in, expect a friendly, low-pressure session where we’ll learn a few simple chords, play familiar songs together, and enjoy making music in a supportive small group.
Come along, give it a try, and discover just how enjoyable making music can be.
Small group – limited places available. Tuesday 11 August, 6pm-7pm.
Instruments provided – just bring yourself!
It’s never too late to play…

STEM Club
2026-08-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Lower Ground Floor
Put your lab coat and goggles on and join us for an interactive session that will get you excited about science! Expect spectacular hands-on experiments and lots of fun! Suitable for ages 6-11.
Free entry, 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

Polish Storytime
2026-08-15 08:00 - 17:00 | Children’s Library
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 boxes in Central Library

Colouring to Music
2026-08-17 10:30 - 12:00, 2026-08-24 10:30 - 12:00 | Children’s Library
Join us for a relaxed colouring session in the children’s library. Let yourself be transported by the music and use the materials provided to create your next masterpiece. Perfect for those who want to discover the Summer Reading Challenge at their own pace.
Free entry – 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

Cosplay Teen Event
2026-08-18 12:00 - 16:00 | Performance Space
Join us for this accessible and inclusive cosplay event for teens that has been co-created with young people. Come in your best cosplay outfit, it might be bought or made by hand, it could be cosplay or wardrobe play, it can be anime, manga or book related.

Crafts
Cosplay competition
A panel – participants to be announced
Selfie area
Chill out area
Stalls selling related items

The event will be held in the Performance Space which will be closed to the public without a ticket.
Photography of participants will only be allowed with express permission of the attendees.
Open to young people aged 12-18. All adults must be accompanied by a 12–18-year-old or you may be refused entrance.
Free – please book via this Eventbrite link or click ‘Book Now’ below

Crochet and Chat Club
2026-08-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Ground Floor (Handling Tables)
Do you want to learn how to crochet and make new friends? Why not come along to our new monthly group?
Free – drop in – please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library.

Can You Dig It? Britannica Summer Challenge
2026-08-20 14:00 - 16:00 | Lower Ground Floor
Join us for Britannica Education’s “Can You Dig It?” Summer Reading event. This fossil-tastic drop-in event will provide a fun, dinosaur-themed activity kit to every attendee and the opportunity for children to explore Britannica Library to discover cool facts!
Free entry, 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

The Puppet Folk Experience!
2026-08-20 19:00 - 20:00
Manchester Libraries are so excited to welcome the wonderful Puppet Folk Experience to Central Library this August. It’s going to be the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational show!!

The Puppet Folk Experience is a joyful live show combining acoustic music and beautifully crafted puppetry.
Musician Andy and puppeteer Liam bring songs, characters, and playful storytelling together in a performance full of humour, nostalgia, and warmth. Featuring lively banjo-led music and an ensemble of expressive puppet characters, the show celebrates the charm of classic puppetry and musical storytelling.
The Puppet Folk Experience delights audiences young and old with a performance that is heartfelt, imaginative, and full of fun.
Doors open 6.30pm
Performance starts 7pm
Cafe and bar will be open all evening.
Tickets are only £5 plus booking fee. There is also a buy 4 tickets for the price of 3 offer!
