A Harry Potter Celebration at Central Library

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
Read Manchester

A Harry Potter Celebration at Manchester Central Library, Manchester 4 February 2017 Entrance is free

Raid your wardrobes for your finest Hogwarts threads as Central Library celebrate Harry Potter Book Day this weekend with an afternoon of wizarding wonder as part of the city’s Read Manchester campaign.  Although tickets to pre-bookable workshops flew out in no time like a drove of Nimbus 2000 broomsticks, a myriad of drop-in magical activities will keep both diehard and new Harry Potter fans out of trouble.

We can’t wait to feast our eyes on the transformation of Central Library’s Wolfson Reading Room into Hogwarts’ Great Hall. See live owls and flying displays (to manage expectations  – this will be by the owls not witches and wizards), be sorted by the Sorting Hat, get involved in Harry Potter storytelling and a Harry Potter quiz. There is even the chance to meet and take a selfie with Dumbledore and HP in person.  Magic indeed.

A Harry Potter Celebration at Manchester Central Library, Manchester 4 February 2017 Entrance is free

a white middle aged woman stands in front of flower beds and a soft beige stone garden wall with ivy.  she is wearing a white blouse and pale blue jeans and is smiling. She has dark, short hair.
LiteratureManchester
Olivia Laing at Manchester Central Library

Previously commissioned by MLF as writer-in-residence at the Midland Hotel, Olivia Laing returns to Manchester to talk about her latest book, The Garden Against Time.

from £10.00
2024 Northern Publishers' Fair
LiteratureManchester
Northern Publishers’ Fair 2024 at Central Library

Join readers and writers alike at this free event celebrating independent publishing. Peruse books from 16 publishers across genres including literary fiction, genre fiction, middle-grade and children’s, poetry and memoir.

free entry

Where to go near A Harry Potter Celebration at Central Library

St Peters Square Manchester
City Centre
St Peter’s Square

St Peter’s Square is a public space in Manchester – home to the city’s iconic library, town hall, Pankhurst statue, art gallery and famous Midland Hotel.

Manchester Art Gallery. Photo by Andrew Brooks
City Centre
Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery

The Charles Barry-designed, Grade I-listed Manchester Art Gallery is one of the city’s leading galleries and is back open for visitors once more.

Chinatown
Hotel
The Alan

This high-end city-centre restaurant has an excellent afternoon tea option that more than matches up to the superb main menu.

Salut Wines
Chinatown
Bar or Pub
Salut Wines

Salut wines pride themselves in offering “wider horizons beyond the safe choices.” With 42 wines by the glass and a regularly changing selection of bottles in their Enomatic wine preservation machines (or  “wine jukebox,” as they’re colloquially known), this is one of be best bars in Manchester for exploring new vintages.

Manchester
Restaurant
Friska

Latest branch of Friska, the independent healthy fast food chain.

Manchester
Restaurant
Don Giovanni

Traditional Italian restaurant, serving everything from pizza to steak. All this in a large modern venue with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Manchester Art Gallery Cafe

Summery bakes, seasonal salads and fresh light meals at Manchester Art Gallery’s in-house café, courtesy of highly-regarded Head Chef Matthew Taylor.

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Manchester Town Hall

Re-opening in 2024, Manchester Town Hall is a monument to Victorian Manchester’s ambition, and one of the city’s most-loved landmarks.

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Albert Square

A public square in the heart of Manchester which plays hosts to festivals and major events. Home to the Albert Memorial and statues of Bishop James Fraser, John Bright, Oliver Heywood and William Ewart Gladstone.

Contemporary Six, art gallery in Manchester
City Centre
Gallery
Contemporary Six

Contemporary Six is an independent commercial art gallery in Manchester city centre, set up by Alex Reuben in 2010.

What's on: Families

OUTDOOR ART CLUB AT THE WHITWORTH
Until
ChildrensManchester
Outdoor Art Club at The Whitworth

Enjoy fun and creative activities designed to encourage your little ones to play freely in the fresh air, while exploring nature and the outdoors with family and friends.

free entry
The cast of 42 Balloons at The Lowry
Until
TheatreMediaCityUK
42 Balloons at The Lowry

A remarkable true-story with a toe-tapping ’80s soundtrack, be lifted to new heights with this eagerly anticipated world premiere.

from £29.50

Culture Guides

Festival-goers at Green Island
Music in Manchester and the North

Gazing longingly towards the good times that will accompany the surely imminent sun, we take a look at the best music festivals coming up in Manchester and Salford.