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Explore bold and beautiful material from Queer Up North 1992–2002. Established in 1992 by Tanja Farman and Gavin Barlow as part of the original Manchester Festival, Queer Up North quickly became a beacon for queer culture, drawing artists and audiences from across the globe. Over its first decade, the festival showcased groundbreaking performances and played […] 
As a working-class artist and photographer, Tricia Ashworth has always been fascinated by what society deems ordinary. The beauty, the nuances, humour, strength and steeliness of everyday life in the ordinary. This exhibition of portraits, from the north-west and beyond, explores and celebrates the extraordinary. Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to […] 
An exhibition of architectural models by students from the Manchester School of Architecture of early nineteenth buildings in Berlin and Manchester created to celebrate the bicentenary of the brief visit of the Prussian court architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841) to Manchester on July 17 1826. During his ‘English’ journey Schinkel was brought into direct contact […] 
Featured
For over 30 years, Karen McBride has documented the people, places and music that have shaped Manchester. Her new exhibition brings together a personal collection of black-and-white photographs, stories and memories from behind the camera. The work follows on from her book, 'Just a Girl from North Manchester', and explores a lifetime spent documenting musicians, […] 
Join Manchester Histories for Threads of a City: The Manchester Tapestry Project, an ambitious community artwork celebrating the stories, people and heritage of Greater Manchester. Together, communities are helping to create 30 large tapestry panels exploring different aspects of the city-region’s history, from 1853 to the present day. Now it’s time to bring those stories […] 
Exhibition of unseen photographs of Vivienne Westwood by Paul Wolfgang Webster 
Exhibition of photographs of Tony Wilson in 1996 
Exhibitor Wolfgang Webster: 'In 1996, I had the opportunity to photograph Tony Wilson - the man many called Mr Manchester. Hacienda FAC51 impresario, television presenter, record label owner and one of the most influential cultural figures to emerge from the North of England. Thirty years later, I find myself looking back through these photographs with […] 
Exhibitor Wolfgang Webster: 'My experience of working with Vivienne Westwood remains a rare and significant chapter in my photographic journey. It revealed a powerful connection between fashion, culture, inclusivity and protest. It also showed me how someone from the world of fashion could step outside that world and stand shoulder to shoulder with people fighting […] 
Our half term programme is back! Come and find out why people say we are the ‘perfect place for school holidays. 10/10'! Full Schedule Mimi and the Golden Touch Monday 26 October, performances at 11am and 2pm Performance Space Everyone at her school has something unique that expresses who they are: soft lemur tails or […]
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Everyone at her school has something unique that expresses who they are: soft lemur tails or beautiful golden wings. Everyone, that is, apart from Mimi. Until one day, she befriends a boy called Sonni and the most incredible thing happens... she sprouts donkey ears! Overjoyed with her new friend, Mimi sets off on a quest […]
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The French Film Club is an invitation to discover the best of Francophone and French cinema. Screenings of exclusive French-language films (with English subtitles) take place once a month and are free and open to all. Join us and Alliance Française de Manchester for this month’s film, Les Choristes. Synopsis: 'Pierre, a successful orchestra conductor, […] |
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Join us for a fun and interactive storytime session in Farsi and English! Expect singing and crafts as we learn new words and make new friends. Suitable for children under 5. Free – just drop in. Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation […]
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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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Join us for a storytime session with local author Moniza Hossain! Expect readings from Ritu in the Sun followed by a craft session where you will design your own rub-on henna tattoos! All materials provided. Free – drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash […]
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What if a story could inspire an invention? Join Science Owl and Dr Renee for a fun, hands-on workshop where reading meets creativity, imagination, and invention. We'll begin by reading a picture book together, then explore a real-world environmental challenge inspired by the story. With the help of Science Owl's scientists and engineers, you'll design, […] |
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Join us at for a FREE afternoon of football-themed family fun this half term! We've partnered with British Gas and Barclays Women’s Super League for an afternoon of free activities. Enjoy a theatre show 'Footy Fairy Tales', crafts, archives, activities with the National Football Museum and pick up a free copy of the brand-new Match […] |
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Rhythms of the Diaspora: A DJ & Drum Performance Bring the family this half-term to Manchester Central Library for this Black History Month day rave. From 2–4pm, expect a live performance bringing together DJing and traditional drumming from across the African and Caribbean diasporas, for all ages. DJ Atiké and percussionist, dancer and multidisciplinary artist […] |
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Join us at Manchester Central Library for an afternoon of spooky storytelling and Halloween crafts! Programme 1pm-3:30pm Face Painting for Children (£2 per child – Performance Space) Please note: you will be asked to pay at the gift shop’s till before joining the queue. For any questions, please ask a member of staff. 1pm - […] |
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Join us and Colibri Mexican Folkdance 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 […] |
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Led by tutor Jim Wallace, this Ukulele Lesson is all about confidence, connection, and enjoying music together in a welcoming setting. For 25 years, Jim has been bringing his passionate music teaching experiences to venues across Manchester - and he will be returning to Central Library for another evening of strumming and good company for […] |
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Buzz Hawkins joins us at Central Library to tell us more about the family Bradshaw, and his new novel, 'The Bradshaws Right Up Your Street'. “Even after more than 600 episodes people were still asking me ‘have you written any new ones?’” says Manchester born writer Buzz Hawkins, creator and voices of British radio’s long-running comedy […] |
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Introducing the Music Theory: Monthly Drop-in Session with Owain Roberts. Do you need help with your ABRSM Theory of Music exam? Want to develop your understanding of music theory in a supportive and inclusive environment? Then come along to the Henry Watson Music Library for these free, drop-in sessions designed to give you the help […] |
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RNCM presents… At the Henry Watson Music Library is a brand new series of concerts for 2026. With each edition spotlighting a different musician from the College, the inaugural session will feature another of their aspiring stars, this time the incredibly talented harpist: Yaxin Fang. Yaxin is a harpist currently in her fourth year of […]
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Join our 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 at […] |
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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 our regular 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 tune. […] |
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Join us to celebrate the arrival of Tapestry of Black Britons at Manchester Central Library |
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Join us for our next public talk with Manchester Confucius Institute to learn about the Chinese story of bamboo with Fang Zong. Bamboo, as a model of sustainability, is deeply rooted in Chinese traditions of material application and cultural representation. This talk explores the dual identity of Chinese bamboo both as a vital ecological resource […]
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Author and journalist David Nolan launches his rising Manchester-focused media platform with a creative networking event and exclusive talk. In the three months since its launch the Cult Manchester website has unleashed a series of reassuringly strange stories about Manchester and its pop culture legacy. These include: - Finding Ian Curtis’ record collection - Tracking […] |
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On Saturday 21st November, rising electronic duo Faint Red Star will perform an intimate matinee show at the Henry Watson Music Library. Faint Red Star are a duo born in Manchester, UK. Blending soaring synths with warm, rumbling beats and stirring vocal melodies, their sound is a heady concoction of brooding synth-pop, dark wave, and […] |
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Manchester-based sax-led Woodshed Collective is unified by a shared passion for performing and composing swing, Latin jazz, fusion and bebop. The band takes inspiration from classic artists such as Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley and Oscar Peterson, aiming to develop their own sound based on the great ensembles involving these artists. The core collective consists of […] |
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This screening is presented to you by Nuansa: Indonesian Film Pop-Up in collaboration with Manchester Central Library and Library Live. Delve into the world of spirit-fuelled trance parties in the island nation of Indonesia with the screening of Levitating, a film directed by Wregas Bhanuteja, which recently competed at the Sundance Film Festival. There will […] |
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This screening is presented to you by Nuansa: Indonesian Film Pop-Up in collaboration with Manchester Central Library and Library Live. Delve into the world of spirit-fuelled trance parties in the island nation of Indonesia with the screening of Levitating, a film directed by Wregas Bhanuteja, which recently competed at the Sundance Film Festival. There will […]
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Delia Derbyshire Day returns to Manchester Central Library for 2026 Honouring the work of the electronic pioneer and BBC Radiophonic Workshop icon, expect a relaxed community gathering at the Henry Watson Music Library. This year’s Delia Derbyshire Day offers a mixture of creative activities, opportunities to explore Delia's archive, have a nerdy chat with the people […] |
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Researchers have captured their work in a single image. Now they're sharing the stories behind them. Join us for an evening of true stories told live by this year’s Images of Research 2026 finalists. Working with Heard Storytelling, a selection of finalists will take to the stage to tell personal stories from their experiences of […] |
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A LIVE TRIBUTE SHOW!! THE PUPPET FOLK EXPERIENCE celebrates THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL A Live Tribute Show The Puppet Folk Experience is proud to present a “most sensational” festive tribute show, bringing acoustic mayhem, heart and humour to audiences this Christmas. Featuring two lifelong Muppet fans and a cast of lovingly handcrafted puppet characters, the […] |
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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.
