What's on

Zebra Tribe Comic Book Festival

Performance Space

Black (African Caribbean and mixed heritage) creatives will get together and showcase their talent. Come along and listen to speakers Corey Brotherson, UK comic creator, and Yomi Ayeni, historic comic creator. There will also be writing workshops for young people and adults, and creative activities for families. An UBUNTU Festival of Events activity in collaboration […]

The Welcome Roadshow

Performance Space

Get ready Greater Manchester! The Welcome Roadshow is coming to Manchester Central Library on Monday the 23rd this October half term, bringing the magic of dance, circus skills and craft workshops. We're visiting all 10 boroughs in Greater Manchester, offering FREE workshops. It's not just about honing your dance, circus and craft skills; it's about connecting with your […]

Cosy Club

Children's Library

A cosy evening of independent reading for 8 to 11-year-olds. We’ll build dens, decorate our own cosy reading nooks and settle down for an evening of independent reading and escapism – hot chocolate included! You’ll get all the tips, tricks and kit to build your own home-reading den. Part of ‘Take 10 Week’, supporting mental […]

Word Central with special guest Jolivia Gaston

Performance Space

Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word  Presented by Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press Celebrating Black History Month Tuesday 24th October, 6pm Free entry Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Jolivia Gaston Book your open mic slot from noon on Tues 10th October via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk NB Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer […]

Behind The Scenes Tours at Manchester Central Library

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 in the space where Patrick Stewart and Helen Mirren - amongst many others - played their first roles? All these questions - and many more […]

£12.50

Spooky Sunday: Horrible Family Halloween Party!

Central Library opens its doors to little spooks and ghouls for a fun-filled family spectacular. Fearsome face painters, spooky silent disco, creepy crafts and maybe a few treats and scary surprises. Fancy dress is absolutely encouraged. So dust down your capes, polish your broomsticks and enjoy a spooktacular evening filled with ghoulish delights! £10 per […]

£10

3 Chord Ukulele Club

Henry Watson Music Library

Join us for an informal ukulele lesson and singalong. Ukulele's available. Beginners welcome! Free - please book by emailing catherine.rooney@manchester.gov.uk

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Celebration

Archives+ Ground Floor

Join us for this special ancient Mexican celebration celebrating the cycle of life. Dia de los Muertos features traditional dances performed by Colibri Mexican Folkdance UK, followed by themed activities and craft workshops. An example of an ofrenda, a Mexican altar typically present in Mexican households at this time of the year, will be on […]

Under the Little Red Moon

Performance Space

Join Lulu, Monty and their friend Tom on a vibrant and colourful journey in English Touring Opera’s new opera for babies, which explores the development of language with the help of music and movement. Composed by Russell Hepplewhite. Suitable for babies aged 6−24 months. Free - booking required below

How Manchester Made Shakespeare Modern – Rosa Grindon, the Suffragist Shakespearean Scholar

With Dr. Monika Smialkowska and Dr. Ian Nickson. Never previously recounted, Dr. Monika Smialkowska and Dr. Ian Nickson chart Rosa Grindon’s journey from modest beginnings in a Derbyshire village to becoming a leading figure in literary and theatrical circles in Manchester, a ground-breaking Shakespearean scholar and, as a Suffragist, an outspoken champion of women’s rights. […]

How to Find Where You Belong by Rose Condo

Performance Space

AUTHOR PERFORMANCE AND BOOK SIGNING WITH SPECIAL GUESTS LISA O'HARE AND SHARINA LEE SATTI. Twenty years since moving from Canada to the UK, critically-acclaimed and multi-award-winning poet Rose Condo considers the features, facets and philosophies for determining a sense of belonging. This collection explores community, identity, personal growth and societal wellbeing through compassion, sharp political […]

Conserving Our Town Hall’s heritage: Pulling out all the stops – restoring the Town Hall organ

Performance Space

AFTERNOON SESSION 1PM EVENING SESSION 5.30PM Manchester Town Hall has been closed since January 2018 for an extensive restoration programme that will repair and upgrade the building to modern standards. The work will include the conservation of many heritage features. Our series of Heritage Lectures aims to shine a light on some of the fascinating […]