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6 events,
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 […] 
For the first time, this exhibition tells the story of how seven personalities transformed Manchester into a global centre of Shakespearean theatre in the Victorian era and reveals present day evidence of the city’s innovative engagement with the works of Shakespeare. Free - please drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live […] 
"Building China: People’s Infrastructure" invites audiences to encounter China from the kitchen table and the street corner rather than the skyline. Bringing together photographs and prints from the 1950s to the 1980s with field images from the early 2000s and contemporary works, the exhibition traces urban change through the ordinary spaces where life unfolds. Across […] 
Exhibition featuring 12 UNESCO Heritage Forts. Organised by Leena Desshmukh, Founder of Sahyadri CIC UK, in collaboration with Sahyadri Pratishtan India. This exhibition honours the extraordinary hill forts of the Sahyadri mountain range, recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their outstanding universal value. These formidable structures stand as enduring symbols of architectural innovation, strategic […] 
Take a poetry journey from loss to hope, from home to infinity, to find your own personal True North. 80 people from Cornerstone Day Centre in Hulme, many affected by homelessness and other issues, have made poetic paths for all to follow, opening eyes to a wider world. These restless poems leap from the page […] 
This exhibition from Polonia Northern England uncovers the remarkable history of a Polish community (Polonia) deported and displaced during WWII. Through photographs, letters, and personal documents, it showcases experiences of forced deportation, war crimes, refuge, and significant contributions to Britain's freedom. The exhibition also explores post-war resettlement in exile in Northern England and community efforts […] |
7 events,
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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! Whether you always wanted to try Carcassone, or whether you are a champ at backgammon or Trivial Pursuit, this is the place for you. Try new games, […] |
7 events,
Featured
Recurring
Would you like to improve your English conversation skills? Join our friendly group to practice your English and meet new friends. Suitable for adults. 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 |
7 events,
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Our monthly morning sessions are interactive and fun, involving a blend of themed stories, rhymes, and a final craft activity. Learn new phrases whilst gesturing, chanting, and singing. We can’t wait to meet you! Staying in the city for the Easter Bank Holiday? Come and join our special Italian story time treasure hunt session! We are […] |
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9 events,
Join us at Central Library for two weeks of school holidays fun! Expect child-friendly gardening activities, storytime sessions, Lego, STEM clubs and much more! Suitable for families: Little Movers and Shakers - Tuesday 7 April, 11-11:30am, Music Library (Central Library, 1st Floor) Calling all little groovers! Show us some moves at this fun and interactive music […]
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Calling all little groovers! Enjoy a fun, high-energy session filled with music and dance. Get ready to show off some moves – we’ll bring the tunes! Most suitable for under 4s. Free entry - just drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless […] |
9 events,
Voices of the City exhibition is a powerful and welcoming photography exhibition of a creative project which celebrated identity, belonging and community. Created by Community Arts North West, the project brought together a group of diverse young people and adults to tell their stories by working with drama facilitator and physical theatre director, Julia Wilson […] 
Calling all budding gardeners! Get potting at our interactive session for the whole family. We’ll provide all the equipment you need for your gardening skills to bloom! 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 |
9 events,
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 […] |
10 events,
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Families are invited to Manchester City Centre Library for a special chance to meet Nya, the TransPennine Express therapy dog who has captured hearts across the rail network. She’ll be in the children’s section for strokes, cuddles and photos, and visitors can pick up a free copy of her brand-new children’s book. Nya the Train […]
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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 […] |
9 events,
Featured
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Featured
Join us on the Lower Ground Floor of Manchester Central Library for an afternoon of fun and crafts provided by legendary American Football Club: Manchester Titans! You might even get a chance to try on an American Football helmet and shoulder pads! Open to all children, beginners + American Football pros welcome! Suitable for ages […] |
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10 events,
Calling all budding gardeners! Get potting at our interactive session for the whole family. We’ll provide all the equipment you need for your gardening skills to bloom! 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
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Come along and spend an hour with Phelps the librarian, a kind, wise librarian who LOVES stories. Phelps spends lots of time listening to the wild and wonderful tales Matilda creates and knows quite a bit about telling stories herself too - thank you very much! Phelps could use your imagination to help with the […] |
10 events,
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Come along and spend an hour with Phelps the librarian, a kind, wise librarian who LOVES stories. Phelps spends lots of time listening to the wild and wonderful tales Matilda creates and knows quite a bit about telling stories herself too - thank you very much! Phelps could use your imagination to help with the […]
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Fancy a sing on your lunch break? Or just a feel-good sing to boost your day? Then come along to the first ever 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 […] |
11 events,
Brought to you by Manchester Literature Festival, Little Reads is a fun, interactive workshop using drama, dance, songs, play and craft to explore children’s picture books. Most suitable for children aged 2 - 6, but all family members are welcome. Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural […]
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 […]
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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. |
10 events,
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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 – just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or […]
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Join us for Manchester Confucius Institute's first public talk of the year, launching our anniversary exhibition, Building China: People’s Infrastructure. Explore the spontaneous and ingenious adaptations found in China’s urban marketplaces, where everyday materials become functional art. This talk delves into the world of informal architectural practices that thrive without formal design processes, reflecting a […] |
9 events,
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Join us at Central Library for a spring-themed craft session suitable for families. All materials provided, just bring your creativity! Suitable for ages 5-11. 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 |
14 events,
Featured
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Featured
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 […]
Brought to you by Manchester Literature Festival, Little Reads is a fun, interactive workshop using drama, dance, songs, play and craft to explore children’s picture books. Most suitable for children aged 2 - 6, but all family members are welcome. Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural […] 
Age 13 -16 and love books? Want to read more and chat about books? Join Central Library Teen Book Club! Discover your next favourite read, share recommendations and join book themed activities. This activity is for ages 13-16 year olds only. Part of Super Duper Family Festival. Discover the full programme at https://www.visitmanchester.com/super-duper-family-festival/ Free - […] |
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8 events,
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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. Book your free ticket at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1986065030971?aff=oddtdtcreator Free – just drop in. Please make […] |
8 events,
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Crime Central is the monthly crime and thriller fiction event at Manchester Central Library. APRIL'S BUMPER GUEST AUTHORS ARE ISABELLE BROOM, LUCY ANDREW, HEIDI AMSINCK AND JAMIE WEST!! 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 […] |
9 events,
Featured
Recurring
Would you like to improve your English conversation skills? Join our friendly group to practice your English and meet new friends. Suitable for adults. 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
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Celebrate World Book Night with us! It's World Book Night, so how could you miss the ultimate book quiz at Central Library. Join us for an evening celebrating your love of reading with quizzes, party games, prizes and the odd surprise challenge! Our cafe will also be open serving snacks, cakes and a range of […] |
10 events,
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 
Hola! Come and join María at the Spanish Story Time monthly sessions, where you can listen to a story in Spanish and learn phrases and vocabulary, whilst having fun. We end each session making a simple craft related to the story. Suitable for children aged 4-7 Free - just drop in. Please consider making a […]
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One of the hottest emerging talents in the North West, The Fleecers, will be performing live in the Henry Watson Music Library this Spring. A group of prodigiously talented music students aged 14-17, The Fleecers formed in Cheadle Hulme in 2025. In their short time together, the rising indie-rock four-piece have since been making ripples […] |
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9 events,
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'Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love' is a people's history of the biggest rock band in the world. And on Thursday 30 April, its author Richard Houghton will be talking all about it, in the Henry Watson Music Library. This extraordinary book tells Zeppelin's story in the words of over 750 fans, as recounted by […]
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Punk poet, latterly dub poet, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Attila the Stockbroker exploded into public consciousness in 1982-3 via two John Peel sessions and a Melody Maker front cover, and is now celebrating 45 years earning a living doing what he loves. Fiery Words for Hellish Times is his most topical and incendiary publication yet. As […] |
From dedicated performance spaces to stairwells, screens, nooks and domes, Central Library might directly inspire your next event or intervention. Contact us to arrange a tour.
