• Lords and Ladies of Middleton Manor

    Performance Space

    Join us for an evening exploring the fascinating Assheton family of Middleton. Meet a medieval Middleton Bowman and discover everyday life through close-up encounters with  original historic documents from the Assheton collection. Free event with refreshments. Free – just drop in Please make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of […]

  • An Evening with V. E. Schwab

    Performance Space

    We are hugely excited to welcome bestselling author V.E. Schwab to Manchester Central Library as we celebrate the publication of her new genre-defying, unforgettable novel Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil. From the author of the incredible standalone novel The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue comes a spellbinding queer love story following the desires and dreams of […]

  • Crime Central

    Performance Space

    CRIME CENTRAL RETURNS 25 JUNE 2025 With the brilliant Rachel Wolf, H Critchlow and Antony Johnston! 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 bestsellers, emerging talent […]

  • Word Central

    Performance Space

    Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word. Presented by Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries. Hosted by Tony Curry with special guest Kim Moore. Book your open mic slot from noon on Tuesday 10th June via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk. N.B. Open mic slots are 3 minutes per performer – it is essential that you stay within this […]

  • Saturday Film Club: Refugee Week Special!

    Performance Space

    Join us at Manchester Central Library for a fantastic afternoon for the whole family dedicated to Refugee Week 2025. Watch a family favourite on the big screen and join themed craft sessions. Free entry, just drop in! Check out our full programme below: 1pm-4pm: Film Screening with Crafts Join us for a screening of The […]

  • Mystery International Film Screening

    Performance Space

    This event is for individuals aged 15 and over. Welcome to the voting page for the fifth edition of Manchester Central Library’s International Film Club’s Mystery Screening series. Event Details: Monday 16th June. • Doors open: 17:00 • Introduction to the film: 17:30 • Film starts: 17:40 • Entry: Pay what you can (recommended donation of £3) • Popcorn: FREE! • Drinks: Grab a coffee, tea, or […]

  • Out of This World!

    Performance Space

    Have an interest in science? Enjoy getting creative with words? Join Wendy from Daresbury Laboratory and Dan Worsley, children’s author and storyteller as they collaborate to create an extra-terrestrial event that mixes science fact and science fiction. Prepare to believe the unbelievable as Dan takes you on an interplanetary journey using his mind-boggling storytelling skills. […]

  • ‘Threads’ by Coalesce Dance Theatre

    Performance Space

    Threads is a poignant and powerful story about mental health, friendship and identity. This latest work from Coalesce Dance Theatre uses stories from young people across the North of England to delicately weave together an emotive and uplifting contemporary dance and physical theatre performance about growing into adulthood. threads turns the spotlight on mental health […]

  • Inspired by Libraries with Shaun Keaveny and Guy Garvey

    Performance Space

    Manchester City of Literature and Manchester Libraries present this special Festival of Libraries event. Join us at Manchester Central Library for a special one-off event featuring two of the city’s most distinctive and much-loved voices — Guy Garvey, Mercury Prize–winning frontman of Elbow and presenter of BBC 6 Music’s Guy Garvey’s Finest Hour, and Shaun […]

  • The Embassy of Utopia 2025

    Performance Space

    The Embassy of Utopia came to Manchester Central Library in June 2024 as part of Festival of Libraries for its UK premiere, and was a collaboration between Manchester UNESCO City of Literature and Capital of Culture 2024 Tartu UNESCO City of Literature. Due to popular demand, we are running this event again for Festival of […]

  • VE Day: From Siberia to Bologna – A Polish Odyssey

    Performance Space

    “Other soldiers were here in transit and had a ‘return ticket’ home. The Poles acted as if they had come home. Why? Because they had no home. Poland had been taken over by Stalin.” Alberto Spadoni, recalling the liberation of Bologna by Polish soldiers on 21 April 1945. Join us for a unique glimpse into the […]

  • Laura Bates

    Performance Space

    AI-powered technologies are revolutionising our lives and putting women and girls in danger. In her urgent and gripping new book The New Age of Sexism, Laura Bates delves into our future and finds it wanting. From chatbots to sex robots, from deep fakes to the metaverse, Laura examines how existing forms of discrimination, inequality and harassment […]