Read Manchester

21/08/2026

Our lovely friends at Manchester Settlement have set up a Reading Trail across four parks in Openshaw: Red Rec, Sandywell Park, Openshaw Park and Delamere Park!

18/08/2026

One last stop for our Summer Reading Roadshows!

We have one more event to go, this Saturday 22 August at Philips Park, and we hope to see you all there.

Come along for storytelling, choose a free book to take home, and take part in fun activities, inspired by this year's Summer Reading Challenge, Read to the Beat.

Once again, the wonderful Manchester Libraries team will also be there, answering any questions about your local libraries.

We're so grateful to everyone who's come along with us on this summer of reading, let's end on a high note!

17/08/2026

A love of sport can kick-start a love of reading.

When children read, write or talk about something they enjoy, they deepen their interests while building important literacy skills. It’s a win-win.

Help your family get even more from the sports they love by drawing a comic strip retelling a great sporting moment. Capture the drama, excitement and celebration using pictures, speech bubbles and captions to bring the story to life.

Which sporting moment inspires your comic?

13/08/2026

Step into Manchester’s parks and discover a hidden poem trail running throughout the summer🍃

Collect each verse, piece together the full poem and pick up a free book!

It’s a fun, free activity for families and a great way to explore your local green spaces.

You can get involved until 5 September in all parks across Manchester!

Check out more info here: https://loadstodo.co.uk/events/poetry-in-the-parks/

12/08/2026

Please see important update to this event below!

Due to the heat, our early years activity is now not going ahead on Thursday 13 August🌞

Stay tuned on this page to see where we'll be next with fun activities for 0-5s.

🔔 Important update for Gorton families: due to the heat, our early years activity is not going ahead on Thursday 13 August. Stay tuned on this page to see where we'll be next with fun activities for 0-5s!

Families in Gorton! Looking for free fun for your 0-5s this summer?

Join us for free outdoor activities your family will love🍃

Where?
West Gorton Community Park

When?
Thursday 13 August from 3–6pm

Drop in anytime, no need to book.

What’s on?
Digging, planting and making clay animals.
Nature story walks around the park.
Outdoor play and forest school activities.
Choose a free book to take home and keep – pick a book about funny birds, snails, scooters or football!

Come and receive a warm welcome from our early years team, who are joining forces with Groundwork Greater Manchester and other wonderful local partners for an amazing afternoon of family fun and discovery outdoors.

11/08/2026

A love of sport can kick-start a love of reading.

When children talk about something they enjoy, they’re developing their literacy skills. It’s a chance to put their thoughts into words and build confidence in their communication.

Help your family get even more from the sports they love by talking about why you love your favourite sport. Share your enthusiasm and hear what others enjoy too.

Tell us why your favourite sport, team or athlete is the best!

11/08/2026

We're back at the Wythenshawe Games🎉

Join us this Sunday 16 August at this brilliant community event, back by popular demand!

Come and say hello, and pick up a free book of your choice!

The wonderful Manchester Libraries team will also be there, sharing everything you need to know about the Summer Reading Challenge and answering any questions about your local libraries.

Will you be joining us?

05/08/2026

A love of sport can kick-start a love of reading.

Sport is full of incredible stories, from record-breaking achievements to tales of determination and teamwork. When children read these stories, they dive deeper into their interests while building confidence in their literacy skills.

Help your family get even more from the sports they love by reading a sporty book. It could be an inspiring autobiography or an action-packed novel. There's a sporting story for everyone.

What’s your favourite sports book? Share your recommendations in the comments!

03/08/2026

Celebrate National Play Day with us this Wednesday 5 August🛝

We'll be at Platt Fields Park from 11am, as part of our summer reading roadshows series!

Come along for storytelling, choose a free book to take home, and take part in fun activities inspired by this year's Summer Reading Challenge, Read to the Beat. We'll be making our own junk instruments and discovering how stories, music and imagination go hand in hand.

The wonderful Manchester Libraries team will also be there, sharing everything you need to know about the reading challenge and answering any questions about your local libraries.

Will you be coming along?

31/07/2026

We were thrilled to be part of the city's biggest celebration, Manchester Day, last weekend!

In the National Year of Reading, the parade shone a spotlight on books and reading.

Community groups worked with Walk the Plank to design and create their fantastic book-themed costumes.

Families were able to choose books to read as part of the Summer Reading Challenge too. The Manchester Libraries team of 'book doctors' were on hand to recommend books for anyone looking for reading inspiration.

Julie, one of our brilliant Literacy Champions, helped on the day, while our Project Officer, Caroline was 'hooked' by Captain Hook and W***y Wonka.

Over 7,000 people visited Manchester Central Library, making it their busiest Sunday Funday ever!

Keep an eye out for more details as our roadshows continue across August.