About this event
Activities taking place between 5–30 June 2026. Manchester City of Literature’s Festival of Libraries, the county-wide celebration of Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries, returns.
- Dates:
- The festival takes place between Wednesday, 10 June 2026–Sunday, 14 June 2026.
- Some activities take place between Friday, 5 June 2026–Tuesday, 30 June 2026.
- Times: see activity for more details.
- Do I need to book? see activity for more details.
- Contact: Contact Manchester City of Literature
- Event organiser: Manchester City of Literature
The award-winning festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, features a vibrant programme that highlights the library network’s full offer, across wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information, and, of course, reading.
This festival allows citizens to celebrate the important community and cultural roles of libraries across Greater Manchester. It encourages everyone to use the diverse library service offer creatively. Partner libraries around the city host performances, exhibitions, concerts, art installations, workshops, writing classes, and family friendly activities. Writers, artists, illustrators and musicians are commissioned to respond to the vital role libraries play to the people of Manchester.
The Festival of Libraries programme takes place across all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester in internationally renowned institutions from the county’s rich tapestry of heritage libraries. This includes Manchester Central Library, with its impressive status as the busiest public library in the country, in addition to Chetham’s Library, The Portico Library, the John Rylands Research Institute and Library and Manchester Poetry Library. Greater Manchester’s vital local libraries will also host a range of events within their communities, reflecting Manchester’s status as a UNESCO City of Literature.
Festival of Libraries won Best Event at the Manchester Culture Awards 2024 and was named the second Most Inclusive Literature Festival by Inclusive Books For Children in 2025.
What's on at Festival of Libraries
Disclaimer
Events and activities are not organised by Rochdale Borough Council unless stated otherwise. Neither is Rochdale Borough Council responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. If you are under 18, ask your parent or guardian before taking part in any event or activity.