Manchester Literature Festival
11-26 October 2025
What's On
From Page to Stage: 20 Years of Manchester Literature Festival Exhibition
12 September – 16 December 2025, Central Library (Reading Room)
Feast your eyes on two decades of literary magic with From Page to Stage, a photographic exhibition celebrating Manchester Literature Festival’s 20th anniversary.
Featuring photographs by Jon Parker Lee, Chris Bull, Chris Payne, Matthew Priestley and Ed Swinden, this collection of intimate photos charts the Festival’s journey from its early days to becoming one of the UK’s most distinctive literary events. Through striking portraits, we revisit the unforgettable moments and remarkable voices that have shaped the Festival – from award-winning novelists and poets, to leading songwriters and musicians, artists, comedians, children’s writers, activists and change-makers.
We’re fortunate to have welcomed some of the world’s greatest writers to our UNESCO City of Literature and From Page to Stage captures international authors Margaret Atwood, Armistead Maupin, Celeste Ng, Elif Shafak, Jo Nesbo and Asako Yuzuki rubbing shoulders with homegrown favourites Jackie Kay, Jeanette Winterson, Maxine Peake and Lemn Sissay. It also documents some of the city’s most treasured venues and landmarks.
See Johnny Marr, Guy Garvey, Bernardine Evaristo, Edward Enninful and Vivenne Westwood backstage at the RNCM. Encounter Elif Shafak, Jo Nesbo, Jackie Kay and Linton Kwesi Johnson at Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Town Hall and Contact. Glimpse best-selling authors and poets in every nook and cranny of Central Library from the Stacks to the Chief Librarian’s Office. Revisit the Cornerhouse with crime writer Walter Mosley and raise your spirits with Lemn Sissay and Henry Normal at The Dancehouse. Finally, dance in the rain with poet Ian McMillan outside the Hallé St Peter’s.
The exhibition is in the Reading Room on the 1st Floor of Manchester Central Library and will be open Monday – Saturday during normal Library opening hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-8pm; Fri & Sat 9am-5pm.
You can find more information about the photographers on their websites: Jon Parker Lee, Chris Bull, Chris Payne, Matthew Priestley, Ed Swinden.
12 September – 16 December 2025, Central Library (Reading Room)
Feast your eyes on two decades of literary magic with From Page to Stage, a photographic exhibition celebrating Manchester Literature Festival’s 20th anniversary.
See Full 2025 Programme and Download Festival Brochure
Check out the full programme for the 2025 Manchester Literature Festival and download a copy of the Festival Brochure and our programme of autumn events and activities for Children and Families.
Get Involved
From volunteering or participating in Festival activities to partnering on a new project or commission, there are many ways for individuals and organisations to get involved in MLF
Support Us
If you'd like to support us to keep our ticket prices affordable and our events accessible, there are several ways you can do this, either as a business or a fellow book lover.
About Us
Manchester Literature Festival offers unique experiences for audiences to interact with some of the finest writers and thinkers from across the globe.
It’s a welcoming place where people come together to share their passion for language, to be entertained, to learn and reflect on their connections with place, politics and people.
As well as our annual Festival and Spring programme of events, MLF also delivers a year-round Creative Learning programme, nurturing the next generation of readers, writers and creative practitioners.
Manchester Literature Festival offers unique experiences for audiences to interact with some of the finest writers and thinkers from across the globe.
It’s a welcoming place where people come together to share their passion for language, to be entertained, to learn and reflect on their connections with place, politics and people.
