What's on

Japan Week

Performance Space

Join us for Japan Week to learn more about leading Japanese destinations from EXPO 2025 in Osaka, as well as hidden gems that will inspire your next visit. You can also view incredible exhibitions and performances from Japanese artists and join workshops to give yourself a taste of traditional Japanese culture right here in Manchester. […]

Recurring

Conversation Club

Ground Floor (Handling Tables)

Would you like to improve your English conversation skills? Join our friendly group, improve your English, and meet new friends. Suitable for adults. 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

From Page to Stage: 20 Years of Manchester Literature Festival

Wolfson Reading Room

Feast your eyes on two decades of literary magic with From Page to Stage, a photographic exhibition celebrating Manchester Literature Festival’s 20th anniversary.  This intimate collection of photos charts the Festival’s journey from its early days to becoming one of the UK’s most distinctive literary events. Through striking images, we revisit the unforgettable moments and remarkable […]

An Evening with Kathy Reichs

Performance Space

​Join #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs for a rare visit to the UK to celebrate over 25 years of her bestselling series. ​Best known as the inspiration behind Fox Television's longest-running scripted drama, Bones, Kathy will be in Manchester for a one-night-only. She'll be discussing her career as an author and forensic anthropologist, how she crafts her […]

Time Travellers Tea Room

Lwr Ground Floor - Manchester Histories Hub

Join Manchester Hstories for Time Travellers Tea Room, a monthly gathering where we explore the personal stories, memories and everyday objects that shape Manchester’s rich and diverse heritage. These relaxed sessions are open to anyone with an interest in the past, whether you're a lifelong Mancunian, new to the city, or simply curious about local […]

Central Library’s Big Language Celebration

Performance Space

Do you speak more than one language? Want to find out more about the languages spoken in Manchester? Then join us for an engaging exploration of our foreign language archives, where visitors can uncover stories, documents, and cultural treasures from Manchester’s amazingly diverse communities. Performance Schedule 1.30pm Welcome by the Portuguese Consulate 1.45pm Irish storytelling […]

Children’s Voices and Archives for Community Action: the Marcus Rashford Mural Collection

Archives+ Ground Floor

Join us as we offer a rare glimpse into this significant collection, much of which is created by children. Read their messages, thoughts and feelings as they voice their inspiring stand, united against bullying and racism. In 2021 following a missed EUFA penalty, a community-funded mural in Withington of local footballer Marcus Rashford was defaced […]

An evening with Katherine Rundell

Performance Space

We are delighted to welcome bestselling author Katherine Rundell to Manchester to celebrate the release of The Poisoned King! The mesmerising follow-up to Rundell's Waterstones Book of the Year 2023-winning Impossible Creatures finds Christopher embroiled in an elaborate rescue mission as he returns to the magical world of the Archipelago. Katherine joins us at Manchester Central Library for a talk, […]

Reading, Rhyming, Remembering: Children’s education from the Past

Archives+ Ground Floor

Explore how children learned Pre-20th Century and Early 1900s, through images, storybooks, rhymes, and moral tales. A fun and nostalgic exhibition for schools and families—where learning met imagination! Discover the storybook world of early childhood learning at Manchester Council’s Heritage Open Day. This special exhibition showcases a rich collection of children’s books published Pre-20th Century […]

Saturday Spectacular: Lowry Takeover

Performance Space

Come join the Lowry at Central Library and get involved in some fantastic fun for all the family. Enjoy arts and crafts, interactive storytelling and engaging workshops. There will also be the chance to watch family classics on the big screen, and more! Free - more info to follow Please consider making a donation if […]

Ghastly Stories for Gruesome Gremlins -EVENT CANCELLED

Children's Library

THIS EVENT HAS  BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.AND WILL BE RESCEHDULED IN THE FUTURE A Spooky & Silly Storytelling Show for 7+ told by Gav Cross. Gav does not believe in ghosts, has never seen a ghost, doesn’t think there are monsters under his bed. But he cannot get enough of the stories that […]

Mystery International Film Screening

Performance Space

Welcome to the sixth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series. Event Details: • Doors open: 17:00 • Introduction to the film: 17:25 • 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! To celebrate half a years’ worth of screenings, we’ll […]