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 the Círculo de Leitura da Comunidade da Língua Portuguesa em Manchester for a special reading and cultural session exploring Mozambique through the work of award-winning Mozambican writer Paulina Chiziane. Using O Alegre Canto da Perdiz as the main reference, we will explore Mozambique through literature, stories and conversation, discovering aspects of the country’s history, culture, traditions, […]
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 […]
This September, prepare to explore new worlds with David Attenborough, Wallace & Gromit, Matthew Bourne, Vaughan Williams and more at your local library. For three weeks in September, Manchester Libraries will be hosting state-of-the-art VR headsets and a feast of FREE digital experiences. Manchester Libraries are one of nine library services in England to take […]
Join Karen McBride for a special evening where she will present 'Just a Girl from North Manchester: A Photographic Exhibition'; talking about the stories behind the photographs, the making of the exhibition, and the journey that led to 'Just a Girl from North Manchester'. For over 30 years, Karen has documented the people, places and music that […]
This September, prepare to explore new worlds with David Attenborough, Wallace & Gromit, Matthew Bourne, Vaughan Williams and more at your local library. For three weeks in September, Manchester Libraries will be hosting state-of-the-art VR headsets and a feast of FREE digital experiences. Manchester Libraries are one of nine library services in England to take […]
This September, prepare to explore new worlds with David Attenborough, Wallace & Gromit, Matthew Bourne, Vaughan Williams and more at your local library. For three weeks in September, Manchester Libraries will be hosting state-of-the-art VR headsets and a feast of FREE digital experiences. Manchester Libraries are one of nine library services in England to take […]
This September, the acclaimed music journalist, industry head, and broadcaster Tony Fletcher will be discussing his brand new book 'When Pop Went Punk 1980-84' with a special in-conversation event at Central Library. Before authoring eleven books, including best selling biographies of Who drummer Keith Moon, R.E.M. and the Smiths, Tony Fletcher was a teenaged music magazine publisher […]
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 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.
Aged 12 – 16 and love reading? Join our teen book club. We don’t have a set text we simply come together to chat about what we have read over the last month. At the same time, we might do a craft, zine making, make a reading journal or bookmark etc. We are a friendly […]
Come along for a free afternoon of folk music taking place in the Henry Watson Music library. Bringing together established acts within the Manchester folk scene, expect a showcase of some of its best talents including... Jack Twaites - An introspective singer-songwriter influenced by Folk music across the spectrum, his single 'In the Folds' was […]
Comic Book Swap with zine and comic strip making for ages 11 plus. Come and swap your comic books and stay to make a Zine, chat to other comic book fans and find out about our collections. Bring your comics to swap, stay to make a zine, or your own comic strip and chat to […]
Home Educators are invited to bring their young people aged 12 - 16 to our monthly teen book club. This is a relaxed club where we will chat about what we have been reading over the last month. We will sometimes set themes, but for this first club of the new term we will chat […]
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. Free - book your free place here or click 'Book Now' below Please […]
Manchester Town Hall closed in 2018 for major restoration to repair and upgrade the building to modern standards. The work includes conservation of many original heritage features. The Heritage Lectures in Central Library shine a light on some of this fascinating work and the next one – on Tuesday 22 September – will focus on […]
Calling all Crime Fiction fans... Not long now until the next Crime Central!! This month, Rob Parker is welcoming Remi Kone, Alis Hawkins and MRG Davies to Central Library! 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 […]
Hosted by the charity Women in Sport, this photo exhibition celebrates everything women bring to coaching. Still in 2026, women are still undervalued and underrepresented in sports coaching. Women in Sport's research has found that 30% of female coaches report being bullied (twice as many as men) and are 18% less likely to say their […]
Join Manchester Histories and Queer Up North for a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring how queer culture can build community, connect generations and sustain radical creative practice. Reflecting on the legacy of Queer Up North, the conversation will consider what the festival built, what it inherited, and what we can learn from it today. The panel […]
Celebrate the European Day of Languages with Instituto Cervantes at Manchester Central Library! Come along as we sing and bring stories to life in English, Spanish, Polish and Italian. Whether you are looking to introduce your child to new sounds, practice a second language, or simply enjoy the magic of live storytelling, this interactive session […]
We're celebrating 'Older Peoples Day' with a special Saturday afternoon singalong with the brilliant Dee Dee Allen! We're inviting local community groups for over 55's to get your dancing shoes on for an afternoon full of classic tracks from the 70's to the 90's! Places are free but limited so please phone Central Library on […]
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 […]
Join us for a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing - an eye-opening 50-minute film bringing together nine leading UK scientists and experts with the latest evidence and why it matters for things like: Extreme weather, food security, health and the cost of living. The film is based on the National Emergency Briefing in Westminster […]
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. Free - book your free place here or click 'Book Now' below Please […]
A bilingual poetry reading and conversation exploring poetic craft, creative vision, and the nuances of poetry translation. The Instituto Cervantes in Manchester invites you to the second session of its “Poetry Encounters” programme, this time featuring a discussion between Argentinian poet Claudia Masin and author and academic Charlotte Shevchenko Knight. Poetry Encounters was created with the aim of promoting […]
Join Manchester Histories and Queer Up North for a panel discussion exploring what today’s queer cultural spaces can learn from Queer Up North, cultural activism and the radical past. Looking back at the festival in the context of the AIDS crisis, Section 28 and wider movements for LGBTQ+ rights, the conversation asks what should be […]
An evening with staff of the Manchester School of Architecture celebrating the 1826 visit to Manchester of the Prussian architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel which will include discussion of the making of architectural models of buildings in Manchester and Berlin, an exploration of the influence of his visit and an opportunity to play Schinkel Bingo. Free - […]
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 […]
Get ready to celebrate Fun Palaces weekend at Central Library with a whole afternoon dedicated to the Mid-Autumn Festival, one of the most important festivals in the Chinese calendar! Join us for an afternoon of traditional Chinese music, interactive workshops and lantern-making with Manchester Confucius Institute and Chinese Music Classroom at Chetham’s School of Music. Programme: 2-4pm - […]
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.