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Manchester city centre road closures confirmed for New Year’s Eve fireworks display
Here's everything you need to know.
Emily Sergeant -
27th December 2023 
A number of road closures have been confirmed as Manchester city centre prepares for its first New Year’s Eve fireworks display in three years.
The hustle and bustle of Christmas has died down, Boxing Day has been and gone, nobody has a clue what day it is currently, and we’re all just waiting for New Year’s Eve to arrive, and for 2024 to bring new beginnings and a fresh start.
And case you missed it, Manchester City Council confirmed last week that Manchester will be celebrating the big occasion with a bang.
In what is the first time since 2019, and post the COVID-19 pandemic and several accompanying lockdowns, Manchester city centre is gearing up to host a “spectacular” fireworks display that will “say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new”.
Families from all across Greater Manchester are invited down to Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city centre this Sunday 31 December for the “fun-filled event” that’s free to attend.
Hosted in partnership wit Hits Radio, and kicking off from 10pm and running until the clock strikes midnight and beyond, you can expect a live DJ set from Hits Radio DJ Jordan Lee, a traditional time-to-hug-all-your-friends countdown to midnight, followed by a huge firework display to celebrate the start of the new year.
Capacity for the event is 10,000, and is being operated on a first-come first-served basis, the Council has confirmed.
The event is also alcohol-free, standing only with no seating – except for disability access points and dedicated viewing areas – and anyone attending is asked to limit the bags they bring with them to no bigger than A4 in size, as bag searches will be in operation.
The Council says that, in order to ensure “a safe and celebratory event for all”, security staff will be keeping a close eye on revellers to minimise any disruption and allow everyone to see in the new year together, while being mindful that this part of the city centre has a large residential population by making sure the event arena is promptly cleared after the fireworks display is finished.
To best accommodate the event and everyone attending, the following road closures and parking suspensions have been confirmed ahead of time.
Road Closures
- Duke Place (Duke Street – Arena): 8:30pm – 1am
- Rice Street (Duke Street – Arena): 8:30pm – 12:45am (resident vehicles managed in and out of closure)
- Liverpool Road (Potato Wharf – Lower Byrom Street): 8:30pm – 1am
- Duke Street (Stone Street – Castle Street): 11pm – 12:45am
- Beaufort Street (Collier Street – Duke Street): 11pm – 12:45am
- Castle Street (Car Park – Canal Bridge): 11pm – 12:30am (restrictions out of car park between 11:30pm – 12:15am)
Parking Bays Suspended and ‘No Waiting’ Orders
- Liverpool Road – 31 December, x4 bays (bays opposite Potato Wharf/Castlefield Hotel)
- Duke Place – 31 December, x7 bays
- Duke Street – 31 December, x4 bays
- Beaufort Street – 31 December, x4 bays
“We think the time is now right to show how proud we are of our fantastic city, and to celebrate it as we close the door on 2023 and look ahead to 2024 and beyond,” explained Councillor Pat Karney, who is Manchester City Council’s Christmas and New Year spokesperson, as he confirmed the return of the annual new year tradition.
“Mancunians really are the best people in the world, and we can’t think of a better way of welcoming in a new year filled with new possibilities for all of us than spending it with those we love.”
Read more:
- Council confirms New Year’s Eve firework display will return to Manchester this year
- Shocking new survey reveals 78% of Brits want fireworks banned
- Manchester cocktail bar One Eight Six finally reopens two years after devastating New Year’s Eve fire
Customer access to all businesses within the closures will be maintained on the night of New Year’s Eve (31 December), Manchester City Council has confirmed.
More information about the event, and road closures planned can be found on the Council website.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
