Join us for a film screening and discussion exploring Manchester's urban history and development from the 1940s to today. Organised in collaboration with The Modernist and the current exhibition at Central Library, Architecture for the people: the works of Manchester City Architect’s Department (1902-2003), this Manchester Urban Film Series screening and discussion will revisit Manchester's urban […]
Join us and the Meet Your Muslim Neighbours team for a special one-day community led event and exhibition about Islamic culture and Muslim people, at Central Library on Saturday 14 February, 11am-4pm. Filled with free activities for all ages, including henna painting, interactive word hunts, Arabic tea and coffee, costume dressing, arts and crafts, and more, there's […]
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, 'Le Petit Nicolas - Qu'est-ce qu'on attend pour […]
Manchester Central Library and the Instituto Cervantes of Manchester proudly present the Hispanic Film Club. Join us for this month's film, Elisa, vida mía. The Manchester Central Library and Instituto Cervantes Manchester present the Hispanic Film Club, a programme designed to celebrate the richness of Spanish-language cinema. This new series is dedicated to the acclaimed […]
Join us for a symposium celebrating 40 years of LipService Theatre with retrospective footage, silly props and cake. LipService was part of the Manchester Fringe Forum, a consortium of 1980’s artists, whose work reached all four corners of the globe. We will have a panel of original members and explore why there was such an explosion […]
Enjoy a special edition of the Central Library’s legendary Family Film Club! Bring the family for an afternoon of themed crafts and a family classic on the library’s huge screen. Screenings start at 1.30pm – drop in from 1pm. Most suitable for under 12s. Part of Super Duper Family Festival. Discover the full programme at […]
Celebrate the languages and cultures of Manchester’s local communities. Enjoy live performances, and try your hand at traditional crafts. Suitable for all ages, everyone is welcome. ] Part of Super Duper Family Festival. Discover the full programme at https://www.visitmanchester.com/super-duper-family-festival/ Free - just drop in. Please consider making a donation to support our cultural programme if […]
Bring a book. Get cosy and read alongside other book fans. Take some time for yourself and escape into a story. Join our Cosy Reading Club at Manchester Central Library, our new silent reading group, offering a relaxed, shared space to read in peace and quiet in the company of others. This is no ordinary […]
Voiced, the UK’s first creative festival for endangered languages, presents an unmissable evening of Queer poetry and performance. Presenting Polari, a hidden language of Queer experience, which will come to life in performance with Jez Dolan. Rosie Garland performs poems from Polari Prize-shortlisted What Girls do in the Dark and her recently published This Is How I Fight, an Observer Poetry […]
A celebration of contemporary Japanese fiction, this special event brings together Satoshi Yagisawa and Emi Yagi to discuss storytelling, love and loneliness. From the tender life-affirming novel Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, to the joyful, queer love story of When the Museum Is Closed, hear two of Japan’s most exciting writers. Presented by Manchester Literature Festival. Supported by Library Live. Book tickets at manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk or click on […]
#LoveStoriesEtc romance festival is returning for a third year to Manchester Central Library on 17th and 18th July 2026 for two packed days of exciting author panels, industry expert led workshops, and creative sessions! The schedule for Friday 17th July includes... 'How to Boss Booktok’ with Ash Jayy from The Picture of Romance ‘What Can […]
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.
