What's on

Naomi Alderman in Conversation

Performance Space

The future is coming. The Future is here. When Martha Einkorn fled her father’s isolated compound in Oregon, she never expected to find herself working for a powerful social media mogul hell-bent on controlling everything. Across the world, in a mall in Singapore, Lai Zhen, an internet-famous survivalist, flees from an assassin. Martha and Zhen’s worlds are […]

£12

Medicine Unboxed – Lifting the Lid on Medical Innovation

Performance Space

Medicine Unboxed - Lifting the lid on medical innovation Doctors, artists, scammers - discover the people who have shaped the medical field and how this has impacted people’s lives. Forget about unboxing an advent calendar, join us for this one day pop up exhibition that unpacks objects and history from the beginnings of ‘modern’ medicine […]

Christmas with Elvis!

Performance Space

Join us for a Rock 'n' Rolling Christmas Celebration with Manc Elvis and his Magical Band. Manchester’s premier Elvis tribute act present an evening packed with greatest hits and Christmas classics to get you up and dancing all night! Including... That's Alright Mama, Merry Christmas Baby, Jailhouse Rock, Santa Bring My Baby (Back to Me), […]

£6

Day of Music

Henry Watson Music Library

A day of varied musical performances from local artists, including a choir, a soprano, a solo clarinettist and a dancing new wave legend.

Empire Windrush: In Conversation Event

Performance Space

Join editor, Onyekachi Wambu, ‘In Conversation’ on the topic of his recently-published, ground-breaking anthology,  ‘Empire Windrush’, presenting some of the best and most significant writing - poetry, fiction, journalism, essays and memoir - of the Black experience in Britain. Onyekachi Wambu is a Nigerian-British journalist and writer. He has directed television documentaries for the BBC, […]

Reimagined City Workshops

Henry Watson Music Library

Join us for percussion and singing workshops. Part of a weekend of International Migrant Day activities, showcasing migrant culture through art and music. Suitable for all ages. Free - drop in

Snowflakes and Symmetry Workshop

Archives+ Ground Floor

Mathematician Katie Steckles and illustrator Hana Ayoob will help you design your own mathematically accurate snowflake artwork, incorporating design ideas from traditional shapes and patterns. All materials and equipment will be provided. Free - book tickets here

Classic Christmas Film Marathon!

Performance Space

Have we got the ultimate selection box for you! Escape from the shops and join us for a magical day of festive films. Suitable for families. 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

Untold Stories of the Village

Ground Floor

In partnership with The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre and Education Trust, Holding Her Space presents 'Untold Stories of the Village' exhibition. Working with photographer Tanya Weekes and artist Tina Ramos Ekongo, the exhibition follows 12 mothers as they share their stories within pregnancy, birth, postpartum as well as highlighting personal and cultural experiences. The […]

10 Years – David Gleave Photography

First Floor Exhibition Hall

David Gleave is a Manchester-based image-maker who took up photography through his passion for social history. He chronicles his life and the people and events he has encountered. David sees the present as the past, rescuing moments in time for ever. This exhibition covers the first ten years of his record. Free – just drop […]

Book launch: Selected Plays by Cathy Crabb

Performance Space

Selected Plays by Cathy Crabb Monday 22nd January  6pm at Manchester Central Library No need to book tickets. FREE entry. Everyone welcome.  Doors open 5.40pm. Celebrating twenty years of productions, award-winning playwright Cathy Crabb has selected eleven of her works for staging. Filled with humour and emotional resonance, these texts explore themes of family, trauma, neurodivergence, […]

Ros Atkins – The Art of Explanation

Performance Space

We are delighted to welcome Ros to Manchester Central Library, where he will be discussing his book in conversation. Explanation - conveying meaning - is an art. And the BBC presenter and journalist Ros Atkins, creator of the viral 'Ros Atkins on...' explainer videos, is something of a master of the form. In this book, Ros […]