Calendar of Events
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1 event,
2 events,
The Society of Bookbinders – 50th Anniversary Activities
The National Society Of Bookbinders was founded in Manchester in 1974 and celebrates it's 50th Anniversary with a number of events, workshops and displays at Central Library between October-December. All events are free and there is no need to book in advance. The Journey of a Book: a display about making books by hand, Archives […]
Crime Central
Crime Central
ROB PARKER WILL BE WELCOMING THE BRILLIANT DAVID COSTA, LOUISE MINCHIN AND TIM SULLIVAN TO THIS MONTHS CRIME CENTRAL! 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 coming to Manchester! Go behind the scenes! Showcasing blockbuster […]
3 events,
Reimagining Black History Month
Reimagining Black History Month
Join us for a discussion on the future of Black History Month, where we will be joined by award-winning author, broadcaster and Professor of Sociology, Gary Younge, as well as members from youth group 8% club We will be discussing different ways to think about Black History Month and ensure that Black histories are explored […]
3 events,
Migration Stories North West Exhibition & Preview
A history of migration in and out of North West England told through 100 stories from Roman times to the present day. Explore the region’s long history of migration and ways in which it has shaped and continues to shape our social landscape. Browse the stories of individual women, men and children arriving in and […]
Knock Out Blow
Knock Out Blow
Join us for an evening of art and discussion dedicated to the life and legacy of Len Johnson— Britain's uncrowned boxing champion, dedicated local activist, and revered Manchester legend. The event will feature live music, poetry, an interactive play, archive photos of Len, and an exhibition, followed by a thought-provoking discussion on Johnson's life and […]
4 events,
Northern Publishers’ Fair
Northern Publishers’ Fair
Immerse yourself in the vibrant literary landscape of the North at the Northern Publishers' Fair, organised by Fly on the Wall Press. Discover dynamic new voices, meet authors and buy books directly from regional independent presses including Bluemoose, Carcanet, Comma, Commonword, Flapjack, Saraband, Salt, Northodox and many more. Enjoy live pop-up performances from Nicholas Boniface, […]
Manchester Central Library Fun Palace
Manchester Central Library Fun Palace
Manchester Central Library will join hundreds of Fun Palaces nationally and internationally set to explode with free and fun activities for all. Join us on Saturday, 5 October, and master new skills from your neighbours, share hobbies with friends old and new, and celebrate the passions and enthusiasms of all of us! 10.30am-4pm: Informal Bookbinding Workshops (Ground […]
5 events,
Northern Publishers’ Fair
Northern Publishers’ Fair
Immerse yourself in the vibrant literary landscape of the North at the Northern Publishers' Fair, organised by Fly on the Wall Press. Discover dynamic new voices, meet authors and buy books directly from regional independent presses including Bluemoose, Carcanet, Comma, Commonword, Flapjack, Saraband, Salt, Northodox and many more. Enjoy live pop-up performances from Nicholas Boniface, […]
Manchester Central Library Fun Palace
Manchester Central Library Fun Palace
Manchester Central Library will join hundreds of Fun Palaces nationally and internationally set to explode with free and fun activities for all. Join us on Saturday, 5 October, and master new skills from your neighbours, share hobbies with friends old and new, and celebrate the passions and enthusiasms of all of us! 10.30am-4pm: Informal Bookbinding Workshops (Ground […]
Mandarin Storytime
Mandarin Storytime
Bring the family along to join in our Mandarin and English Storytime. We will share the stories in Mandarin then English and it will be a chance for the children to have some fun and learn some new words. This session is suitable for children aged 4 - 7 years old. For more information, email […]
5 events,
Yuan Yang
Yuan Yang
UNFORTUNATELY, THIS EVENT IS NOW CANCELLED Yuan Yang is no longer able to travel to Manchester due to her new parliamentary commitments and constituency obligations and is very sorry to miss the opportunity to meet our audience. Quaytickets will be in touch with all existing ticket holders to offer a refund. In Private Revolutions: Coming […]
Lindsey Hilsum
Lindsey Hilsum
‘I was standing outside an apartment block that had been split apart by a missile. The words of a poem came to me when I could no longer find my own.’ In the four decades she’s spent as a foreign correspondent, Lindsey Hilsum has always carried a book of poetry with her. Poetry has helped […]
Asako Yuzuki
Asako Yuzuki
PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS CHANGED VENUE FROM WATERSTONES DEANSGATE TO CENTRAL LIBRARY 'There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.’ A Japanese bestseller, Butter is the story of gourmet cook and serial killer Manako Kajii. Convicted of seducing lonely businessmen with her cooking and killing them for their money, Manako is […]
4 events,
Asako Yuzuki
Asako Yuzuki
PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS CHANGED VENUE FROM WATERSTONES DEANSGATE TO CENTRAL LIBRARY 'There are two things that I can simply not tolerate: feminists and margarine.’ A Japanese bestseller, Butter is the story of gourmet cook and serial killer Manako Kajii. Convicted of seducing lonely businessmen with her cooking and killing them for their money, Manako is […]
An Evening with Alan Hollinghurst & Andrew McMillan
An Evening with Alan Hollinghurst & Andrew McMillan
Unfortunately, due to illness we are having to postpone this event with Alan Hollinghurst. We are hoping to reschedule the event for later in the year. Quaytickets will be in touch with customers to offer the option of transferring ticket(s) to the new date once confirmed or receiving a refund now. ‘Did I have a […]
3 events,
Paula Hawkins
Paula Hawkins
‘Reminiscent of du Maurier and extremely hard to put down. The Blue Hour is destined to be a big hit.’ Mick Herron When a bone at the centre of a famous sculpture is identified as human, the life the recently deceased artist Vanessa Chapman led with her companion Grace on the remote tidal island of […]
3 events,
Rumaan Alam in Conversation
Rumaan Alam in Conversation
‘This is what governs all of life. We agree to rules. Most of us. There are some, though, you know, who do not obey, who are not asked to observe them.’ When Brooke Orr starts a new job at the Asher and Carole Jaffee Foundation, helping an 80-year-old billionaire to give away his vast fortune, […]
3 events,
Rumaan Alam in Conversation
Rumaan Alam in Conversation
‘This is what governs all of life. We agree to rules. Most of us. There are some, though, you know, who do not obey, who are not asked to observe them.’ When Brooke Orr starts a new job at the Asher and Carole Jaffee Foundation, helping an 80-year-old billionaire to give away his vast fortune, […]
4 events,
Lord of the Flies with Aimee de Jongh
Lord of the Flies with Aimee de Jongh
70 years after the publication of William Golding’s story of a group of British schoolboys who descend into savagery after being stranded on a desert island, Aimee de Jongh has created a stunning, first ever graphic novel version of Lord of the Flies. Aimee joins us to discuss her experience of adapting the book, her […]
My Beautiful Voice with Joseph Coelho
My Beautiful Voice with Joseph Coelho
Join us for an exciting and heartwarming event as we welcome the Waterstones Children's Laureate: 2022 – 2024, Joseph Coelho! This award-winning performance poet, playwright, and children's author is ready to enchant us with his captivating storytelling and poetry. Get ready for a delightful journey into the world of Joseph's wonderful picture book, My Beautiful […]
5 events,
Lord of the Flies with Aimee de Jongh
Lord of the Flies with Aimee de Jongh
70 years after the publication of William Golding’s story of a group of British schoolboys who descend into savagery after being stranded on a desert island, Aimee de Jongh has created a stunning, first ever graphic novel version of Lord of the Flies. Aimee joins us to discuss her experience of adapting the book, her […]
My Beautiful Voice with Joseph Coelho
My Beautiful Voice with Joseph Coelho
Join us for an exciting and heartwarming event as we welcome the Waterstones Children's Laureate: 2022 – 2024, Joseph Coelho! This award-winning performance poet, playwright, and children's author is ready to enchant us with his captivating storytelling and poetry. Get ready for a delightful journey into the world of Joseph's wonderful picture book, My Beautiful […]
Spooky Poems Aloud with Joseph Coelho
Spooky Poems Aloud with Joseph Coelho
Prepare to jump into the SPOOKY, spellbinding world of spoken word poetry, with your guide: Joseph Coelho. In this interactive session with the Waterstones Children’s Laureate, you’ll be thrilled (and maybe even a litttttle scared) by performances from Joseph as he brings you his latest poetry compendium, Spooky Poems Aloud: 25 Poems to Frighten and […]
4 events,
Joe Boyd
Joe Boyd
“New technologies may divert our attention, but music created in the moment can still be found where it always has been, in the feet, fingers, voices and spirits of musicians in every corner of the world.” Legendary music producer Joe Boyd (White Bicycle: Making Music in the 1960s) invites you to open your ‘minds and […]
Susanna Clarke: My Life in Books
Susanna Clarke: My Life in Books
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT. ‘Some stories sink down into your bones.’ Award-winning novelist Susanna Clarke (Piranesi) joins us to discuss how writing and reading have shaped her life. From her worldwide bestseller Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, to her enchanting new story The Wood at Midwinter. […]
4 events,
Susanna Clarke: My Life in Books
Susanna Clarke: My Life in Books
THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT. ‘Some stories sink down into your bones.’ Award-winning novelist Susanna Clarke (Piranesi) joins us to discuss how writing and reading have shaped her life. From her worldwide bestseller Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, which celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year, to her enchanting new story The Wood at Midwinter. […]
Andrew O’Hagan & Dave Haslam
Andrew O’Hagan & Dave Haslam
‘Andrew O’Hagan has made more than a great book – he has made a social miracle.’ Joshua Cohen Scottish author Andrew O’Hagan joins us to discuss his gripping new state-of-the-nation novel Caledonian Road with host Dave Haslam. Art historian and celebrated critic Campbell Flynn is beguiled by his provocative student Milo Mangasha who leads him […]
5 events,
Andrew O’Hagan & Dave Haslam
Andrew O’Hagan & Dave Haslam
‘Andrew O’Hagan has made more than a great book – he has made a social miracle.’ Joshua Cohen Scottish author Andrew O’Hagan joins us to discuss his gripping new state-of-the-nation novel Caledonian Road with host Dave Haslam. Art historian and celebrated critic Campbell Flynn is beguiled by his provocative student Milo Mangasha who leads him […]
Crochet and Chat Club
Crochet and Chat Club
Do you want to learn how to crochet and make new friends? Why not come along to our new monthly group? Free – just drop in. For more info, email angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk
Migration, Identity and History – Talk
Migration, Identity and History – Talk
To what extent through history has British identity been influenced by migration? An event with speakers, short film screening and discussion. Speakers from the Migration Stories North West project will explore the nature of migrant identity throughout British history and the intersections between the history of migration and issues at the forefront of Black history. […]
5 events,
Our Town Hall – Portraits of a Workforce
Our latest first-floor exhibition comes courtesy of the team currently working on the Our Town Hall Project to repair, renovate and refurbish Manchester's iconic Town Hall. Extraordinarily little is known about the artisans who built the Town Hall between 1868 and 1877, and certainly no photographs exist. But fast-forward 150 years and today’s skilled workers […]
creative:connection
creative:connection
In partnership with Create, disabled and non-disabled students from Manchester and Salford schools come together to create, build connections and break down barriers. Working with top class musicians they will write and perform original songs on the theme of JOY at this celebratory event presented by Manchester Literature Festival and supported by Library Live. Email miriam@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk for […]
Daisy Johnson & Andrew Michael Hurley
Daisy Johnson & Andrew Michael Hurley
Two masters of folk horror join us to discuss their chilling, atmospheric new books, both set in a single location over a significant period of time. The Hotel by Daisy Johnson begins with a hotel built on a possessed plot of land - its origins evident when a woman is accused of witchcraft – and […]
5 events,
A Day in The Afterlife: Francesca Beard Workshop
A Day in The Afterlife: Francesca Beard Workshop
Acclaimed poet and creative facilitator Francesca Beard will lead a workshop inspired by the work of cult writer Philip K Dick (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?). In this playful, hands-on session, participants will use poetic and improvisational story-telling techniques to create text that explores big philosophical questions such as ‘What does it mean to […]
Your Local Arena presents A Day in The Afterlife
Your Local Arena presents A Day in The Afterlife
Join us for a rare screening of the 1994 Arena documentary A Day in The Afterlife about cult author Philip K Dick (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?). Afterwards, see writers Kate Feld, David Hartley and Irenosen Okojie discuss his speculative / science fiction and imagination. Poet Francesca Beard will also perform a new commission inspired by his […]
4 events,
Mindfulness, Painting and Music Workshop
Mindfulness, Painting and Music Workshop
Get creative at our free craft activities inspired by Black History Month. Artist Tina Ramos Ekongo and musician Johanna Leung will help you do some mindful painting to music. This workshop is suitable for families and lasts two hours. All materials are provided. Free - no booking required Please make a donation to support our […]
4 events,
Half Term Science Special
Half Term Science Special
Who said that science can’t be fun? Join our science-inspired activities for half term. You will make balloon rockets and find out how strong paper can be! Free, just drop in. Suitable for families. Free – just drop in. For more information email angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme […]
4 events,
Half Term Family Fun Special!
Half Term Family Fun Special!
Looking for a fun Saturday activity for the whole family? Look no further. Join our engaging Saturday half-term session. Expect music, crafts, and lots of fun! Suitable for children of all ages. Free - just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless […]
5 events,
Spooky Sunday
Spooky Sunday
We're getting ready to welcome little spooks and ghouls to a very creepy Central Library for a fun-filled family Halloween spectacular. Are you brave enter the world of fearsome face-painters, spooky silent discos, creepy crafts, torturous treats and sinister surprises? £12.50 family ticket. Sorry, no unaccompanied adults allowed.
4 events,
Manchester Theatres Exhibition
Visit this latest exhibition showcasing items from our unique archive, including playbills, programmes, posters and other memorabilia, dating from the 18th century to the present day and documenting the vibrant history of theatre in Manchester. Free - just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our […]
5 events,
Word Central
Word Central
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word. Presented by Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Oliver James Lomax. Tuesday 29th October, 6.00pm – 7.45pm. Doors open 5.40pm and free entry. October’s special guest Oliver James Lomax is a poet, educator and trustee of Salford’s Working-Class Movement Library, whose poems are […]
5 events,
Instruments in Chinese Music: The erhu
Instruments in Chinese Music: The erhu
Join us and the Manchester Confucius Institute for talk hosted by Po Hang Yuen, focusing on the historical development of the erhu, or Chinese fiddle. With Chinese conductor, erhu player, and pianist Xinjie Yang, we will explore how the instrument is made and learn about its diverse repertoire since the early 20th century. Free - book tickets here
5 events,
Crime Central Halloween Special!
Crime Central Halloween Special!
Rob Parker and Manchester Libraries invite you to a CRIME CENTRAL SPOOKTACULAR!! With Jo Callaghan, Graeme Cumming and Steve Kedie! 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 coming to Manchester! Go behind the scenes! Showcasing […]
7 events,
BSL Storytime
BSL Storytime
Join us and Manchester Deaf Centre’s Children and Young People’s Service for this session, which helps deaf children and young people to nurture friendships, skills and confidence for a bright future ahead! You will also have the chance to learn some signs during the session. For more information, contact angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk or alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk Free - Please make a donation […]
NEW! Ukrainian Storytime
NEW! Ukrainian Storytime
Привіт! Join our new 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 […]
LEGO Club
LEGO Club
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. For more information, email angela.rawcliffe@manchester.gov.uk or alessia.benedetti@manchester.gov.uk […]
5 events,
Greg Jenner- Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy
Greg Jenner- Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy
EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES Join ex-Horrible Histories historian and chart-topping You’re Dead to Me podcaster Greg Jenner, as he goes back in time to explore Roman Britain! You can expect myth-busting, quick-fire quizzes and to discover mind-boggling truths about everything from Roman gods and emperors to invasions and life in a fort! So, hold […]
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.
