ACTING UP! tells the story of 40 years of HIV activism in the region through archives, testimonies and films. The exhibition honours the memories of lives lost and continues the fight for a world free of HIV stigma and discrimination. Visit the exhibition in the ground floor of Central Library from 2 April till 31 […]
Explore the history of independent radio in Manchester from the birth of Piccadilly Radio in 1974 through to Key 103’s 1990s heyday. This free exhibition tells the story of the DJs, programme makers and listeners through audio, photography and ephemera. Listen to clips from your favourite DJs, find out what it was like to work […]
A new exhibition explores how punk exploded from the streets of 1970s Britain - raw, loud, and unapologetic. Born of crisis, it raged against capitalism, racism, and conformity. Through music, fashion, protest, and art, punk gave voice to the voiceless, challenged gender roles, and still shapes culture today. Free – just drop in. Please make […]
2025 marks 50 years of queer hope and joy for LGBT Foundation—and the heart of the celebrations begins in the centre of Manchester. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and proudly sponsored by Barefoot Wine, the 50 Years of Queer Hope & Joy Exhibition at Manchester Central Library invites the public into a powerful, […]
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 […]
Pop in and view this fascinating exhibition at Central Library - Libraries 175: Celebrating 175 years of the Public Libraries Act 1850. 175 years ago the Public Libraries Act was passed, which allowed Local Authorities to raise taxes to fund free public libraries. The borough of Manchester was the first borough in the country to […]
Following a hugely positive response to our spring and summer workshops, Manchester Histories is delighted to offer a brand-new series of 10 weekly (every Wednesday) crafting connections sessions this autumn. These workshops bring people together through fun, hands-on heritage-inspired activities like weaving, singing, sketching and storytelling. Designed with well-being and connection in mind, each session […]
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word. Presented by Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries. Doors open 5.40pm and free entry. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Lisa Moore. Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 16th September via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk. N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is […]
Join us for a special performance featuring Macdara Yeates and Jennifer Reid trading ballads and broadsides on related topics to illustrate the shared cultures of Dublin and Manchester and the song traditions that would have been active in the two cities in the industrial revolution. Macdara Yeates is an Irish folk singer. Born and raised […]
Join us for a special performance featuring Macdara Yeates and Jennifer Reid trading ballads and broadsides on related topics to illustrate the shared cultures of Dublin and Manchester and the song traditions that would have been active in the two cities in the industrial revolution. Macdara Yeates is an Irish folk singer. Born and raised […]
Come and join Amani Creatives CIC at the launch of The National Heritage Lottery funded FUMBO Exhibition and event to explore the heritage of naming traditions of African communities in North West England. Enjoy free music, dance and drumming workshops, face painting and African cuisine. Exhibition runs 2-31 October 2025 near the café area, ground floor. […]
Join us for this free family event where people come together to share their skills, passions and interests! Meet a professional beekeeper, get involved with some ABBA-themed crafts, and much more! Visit www.librarylive.co.uk for more info. Free entry – just drop in.
SORRY, THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT. IT'S THE ABBA OVER 50'S PARTY! Take a chance on a super trouper afternoon at Central Library. Two hours of Abba classics to celebrate Older People’s Day! Featuring the fab solo Abba tribute artist ‘One of Us’! Mama Mia * Money Money Money * Fernando * Super Trouper […]
Full Volume returns for something of a Manchester Literature Festival Special this October. With the festival now marking its 20th Anniversary, host Alan Lynch chats to the acclaimed author Kate Mosse about her two upcoming appearances at Central Library this month, and gets the scoop on her latest book ‘Feminist History for Every Day of the Year’. […]
Calling all students! Manchester Central Library is getting involved with the Oxford Road Corridor's #CulturalWelcomeWeek. With events in venues up and down Oxford Road 6-12 October, at Central Library we're inviting new students to the city to come and join us for a host of FREE activities... Share your passions for Manga and Anime, Chess, […]
As part of our Black History Month celebrations, we're proud to welcome Tynan Matembe. This award-winning money coach, global speaker and passionate advocate for financial inclusion will be launching her new book, Conquer Your Financial Giants: Proven Steps to Master Your Money and Build Wealth. Free – booking advised via Eventbrite
Poet Laureate and Festival favourite Simon Armitage returns to Manchester Literature Festival to read from his two new collections, Dwell and New Cemetery. In Dwell, inspired by the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, Armitage brings to life the fragile homes of animals and insects, blurring the lines between human and creature, nature and artifice. […]
Poet Laureate and Festival favourite Simon Armitage returns to Manchester Literature Festival to read from his two new collections, Dwell and New Cemetery. In Dwell, inspired by the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, Armitage brings to life the fragile homes of animals and insects, blurring the lines between human and creature, nature and artifice. […]
The Hallé Ancoats Community Choir was founded in 2014 to bring the joy of communal singing into the heart of Ancoats. Led by inspiring choral conductor Stuart Overington, the Community Choir sings regularly across city centre locations and has performed at numerous special events including: ‘With One Voice’ Manchester Arena commemoration; the ‘Somme 100’ event […]
Join us for a captivating afternoon with two of Britain’s most original literary talents, Sarah Hall and Daisy Johnson, as they discuss their haunting new books exploring nature, myth, folklore and the female body. In Helm, Sarah Hall (twice Booker Prize–nominated, winner of the BBC National Short Story Award) conjures a ferocious wind in the […]
MLF are sorry to announce that due to unavoidable personal reasons Jennie Godfrey is now unable to take part in this event. The event will however still be going ahead with Andrev Walden in conversation with Naomi Frisby. See debut authors Jennie Godfrey and Andrev Walden discuss their brilliant, best-selling novels, The List of Suspicious […]
Explore the work of two of Sweden’s most acclaimed contemporary writers, Lisa Ridzén and Agnes Lidbeck, as they discuss their powerful debut novels and the shared themes of care, memory and emotional resilience. In When the Cranes Fly South (translated by Alice Menzies), international bestseller and Swedish Book of the Year winner Lisa Ridzén offers […]
South Manchester Camera Club 2025 Exhibition of Members’ Images. SMCC welcomes everyone to visit Manchester Central library to view a wide selection of members’ images. Pictures have been captured across a wide section of our members representing their individual skill, technique and style. SMCC is an active, friendly and progressive photography club offering a wide range […]
Enjoy an evening with acclaimed writer and podcaster Alice Vincent as she discusses her new book Hark: How Women Listen - an intimate, lyrical exploration of what women listen to, what their worlds sound like, and how it feels to be expected to listen in a world of noise made by men. Alice returns to […]
Enjoy an evening with acclaimed writer and podcaster Alice Vincent as she discusses her new book Hark: How Women Listen - an intimate, lyrical exploration of what women listen to, what their worlds sound like, and how it feels to be expected to listen in a world of noise made by men. Alice returns to […]
From Paul McCartney to Pierre Henry, Nils Frahm to John Cage, Radiohead to Polish Sonorism, Donna Summer to Stockhausen via 70s Kosmiche. In her fascinating new book, Everything We Do is Music, BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Elizabeth Alker explores how visionary classical composers helped shape the sound of modern pop and rock. See Elizabeth uncover […]
From Paul McCartney to Pierre Henry, Nils Frahm to John Cage, Radiohead to Polish Sonorism, Donna Summer to Stockhausen via 70s Kosmiche. In her fascinating new book, Everything We Do is Music, BBC Radio 3 broadcaster Elizabeth Alker explores how visionary classical composers helped shape the sound of modern pop and rock. See Elizabeth uncover […]
Author Kimberly shares her journey writing Quiet Storm and how she found her voice. A powerful event about confidence, friendship and being yourself. For Year 7 students. Presented by Manchester Literature Festival and supported by Library Live. Free - book tickets by emailing miriam@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
‘One of Us is intelligent, darkly humorous and brilliantly written. It is a story for our time.’ Stanley Tucci Join award-winning author and broadcaster Elizabeth Day as she discusses her gripping new novel, One of Us. Set against a backdrop of politics and scandal, One of Us follows Martin, once the best friend of rising […]
Author Kimberly shares her journey writing Quiet Storm and how she found her voice. A powerful event about confidence, friendship and being yourself. For Year 7 students. Presented by Manchester Literature Festival and supported by Library Live. Free - book tickets by emailing miriam@manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
‘One of Us is intelligent, darkly humorous and brilliantly written. It is a story for our time.’ Stanley Tucci Join award-winning author and broadcaster Elizabeth Day as she discusses her gripping new novel, One of Us. Set against a backdrop of politics and scandal, One of Us follows Martin, once the best friend of rising […]
Meet Kiki – her brain is full of brilliant ideas that just won’t stop! Katy from CBBC reads her joyful rhyming story and uses playful activities to help children explore big feelings and wild imaginations. Great for ages 4 – 7, but everyone’s welcome! Free - book advised. Book tickets here or click 'Book Now' below
Meet Kiki – her brain is full of brilliant ideas that just won’t stop! Katy from CBBC reads her joyful rhyming story and uses playful activities to help children explore big feelings and wild imaginations. Great for ages 4 – 7, but everyone’s welcome! Free - book advised. Book tickets here or click 'Book Now' below
Join Serena Patel for a party full of animal fun, stories, a pet quiz and even make your own pet character. Then meet amazing real-life animals in a Wild Science show – maybe even a giant spider! Best for ages 5+. Presented by Manchester Literature Festival and supported by Library Live. Book tickets here or click […]
Sayaka Murata, the internationally acclaimed author of Convenience Store Woman and Earthlings, joins us to discuss her provocative and visionary new novel, Vanishing World. In a society where sex, love and parenting have been reimagined, Amane—born from a taboo act of love—struggles to conform. As an adult, she explores anime relationships and sanctioned extra-marital sex, […]
In this fascinating talk, celebrated mathematician and leading scientist Marcus du Sautoy invites us to explore his new book Blueprints: How Mathematics Shapes Creativity and rethink the boundaries between art and mathematics. From prehistoric stone circles to Zaha Hadid’s sweeping curves, to Shakespeare’s rhythms and Radiohead’s musical experimentation, Marcus discusses how symmetry, prime numbers, fractals […]
International bestselling author Jung Chang brings us Fly, Wild Swans, the long-awaited sequel to her iconic memoir Wild Swans—a book that defined a generation and remains banned in China. Fly, Wild Swans picks up where Wild Swans left off, tracing Chang’s life and China’s transformation from the end of the Mao era to Xi Jinping’s […]
Have you dreamed of a writing career but don’t have the confidence to give it a go? Or feel that there are too many barriers to the publishing world to getting your work published? Join bestselling novelist and Discoveries Chair of Judges Kate Mosse for an inspiring talk about her journey and the Women’s Prize […]
Have you dreamed of a writing career but don’t have the confidence to give it a go? Or feel that there are too many barriers to the publishing world to getting your work published? Join bestselling novelist and Discoveries Chair of Judges Kate Mosse for an inspiring talk about her journey and the Women’s Prize […]
Join us for an inspiring evening with internationally bestselling author and Founder Director of the Women’s Prizes Kate Mosse, as she shares insights from her groundbreaking new non-fiction book, Feminist History for Every Day of the Year. This richly illustrated collection celebrates 366 remarkable women and girls - one for every day of the year […]
Join us for an energising and empowering evening with bestselling author and data scientist Hannah Ritchie, one of the most refreshing new voices in the climate conversation. In her surprisingly hopeful new book, Clearing the Air: A Hopeful Guide to Solving Climate Change in 50 Questions and Answers, she answers big climate questions with clarity […]
Join us for an energising and empowering evening with bestselling author and data scientist Hannah Ritchie, one of the most refreshing new voices in the climate conversation. In her surprisingly hopeful new book, Clearing the Air: A Hopeful Guide to Solving Climate Change in 50 Questions and Answers, she answers big climate questions with clarity […]
Get Online Week is coming to Central Library! Join us for an afternoon packed with digital discovery, hands-on help, and exciting tech experiences — all part of Good Things Foundation’s annual campaign to help everyone unlock the benefits of being online. Activities include: Ground Floor: Digital Marketplace Explore a buzzing hub of stalls offering free advice, […]
Nature writing has seen a powerful resurgence in recent years, but we must ask—whose voices are being heard? And who is being welcomed into the landscape? In this thoughtful reading and conversation, John Siddique of WritersMosaic hosts acclaimed poets and co-editors Mona Arshi and Karen McCarthy Woolf and T.S. Eliot Prize-winner Roger Robinson. Together, they […]
Nature writing has seen a powerful resurgence in recent years, but we must ask—whose voices are being heard? And who is being welcomed into the landscape? In this thoughtful reading and conversation, John Siddique of WritersMosaic hosts acclaimed poets and co-editors Mona Arshi and Karen McCarthy Woolf and T.S. Eliot Prize-winner Roger Robinson. Together, they […]
A brilliant celebration of creativity and inclusion bringing disabled and non-disabled students from Manchester and Salford together to create, build connection and celebrate the songs they have developed with professional musicians over the week. Come and join us for this joyous day presented in partnership with Create. Presented by Manchester Literature Festival and supported by […]
DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES LIV LITTLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT. You’re invited to our first proof party with John Murray Press and Dialogue Books! Be among the first to hear from three exciting new voices as they give us an exclusive sneak peek into their 2026 novels and writing. Then […]
DUE TO UNFORSEEN CIRCUMSTANCES LIV LITTLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT. You’re invited to our first proof party with John Murray Press and Dialogue Books! Be among the first to hear from three exciting new voices as they give us an exclusive sneak peek into their 2026 novels and writing. Then […]
Come and celebrate Green Libraries Week with us at Central Library. Pick up free seeds from our seed library and get creative making your very own cress head to take home. A perfect blend of gardening and crafting! Suitable for families. Free – just drop in Please consider making a donation if you can online or at […]
Looking for something to do over the half term holidays? Check out our half term activity programme coming soon, including arts and crafts, with plenty to see, make and do! . All materials provided, just bring your imagination! Here's what to expect: Make Cress Heads for Green Libraries Week: Monday 27 October, 2-3pm, Lower Ground […]
Calling all little groovers! Show us some moves at this fun and interactive music and dance session in the music library on the first floor of Central Library. We’ll bring the music, so get ready to hit the dancefloor! Suitable for children under 4. Free – just drop in Please consider making a donation if […]
Queer Lit and Manchester Libraries present a truly special evening as we welcome T.J. Klune – the international bestselling author and legend in queer literature – for an intimate conversation at Manchester Central Library. Expect: Thoughtful discussion about his iconic books Book signing opportunities Meet & greet and photo ops A warm, welcoming space to celebrate queer […]
Join us at Central Library for a day of free activities and events celebrating The Festival of Social Science - an annual celebration of research and knowledge about humans and society and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022. The festival is an opportunity for anyone to explore topics relating to social science, from health and […]
Join us at Central Library for a day of free activities and events celebrating The Festival of Social Science - an annual celebration of research and knowledge about humans and society and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2022. The festival is an opportunity for anyone to explore topics relating to social science, from health and […]
Are you 12-18 years old and passionate about inclusive, creative learning that centres the voices, histories, experiences and activism of global majority communities across Greater Manchester? Join the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust for an interactive creative workshop to discuss what inclusive education should look like and contribute to a youth-led set of recommendations that […]
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 […]
Calling all budding gardeners (pun intended)! Join us for this engaging session inspired by Green Libraries Week. You'll get to plant your very own daffodil and take it home with you! We'll provide all the materials, just come ready to get potting! Suitable for families. Free – just drop in. Please consider making a donation […]
We’re getting ready to welcome little spooks and ghouls to a very creepy Central Library for a fun-filled family Halloween. Are you brave enough to enter the world of creepy crafts, torturous treats and sinister surprises? Read on, if you dare! Face painting Throughout the afternoon, 1-4pm - just drop in. £2 per person. Ground […]
Join Helen and Zoe for a spooky story time, with spooky, but not too scary stories such as Room on the Broom, Wake up Do Lydia Doo and more. Please consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
Join us for a vibrant celebration of life, love, and remembrance! 🌟 We're thrilled to bring you Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a unique and special ancient Mexican tradition that's all about honouring our loved ones who've passed on. 🌿💀🇲🇽 In Mexican culture, it's believed that during this time of year, our beloved […]
Привіт! Join our 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
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 […]
Join us for a coffee and a relaxed chat as we reflect on Remembrance Day. Expect presentations from the North West Film Archive, Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society, and more! Programme: 10am: Tea and coffee 10.30am: Film screening and Q&A by the North West Film Archive 12pm: Remembrance Day resources by the Manchester and […]
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.
