Road closures will be in place as Manchester city centre prepares for its spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
Once the hustle and bustle of Christmas dies down, Boxing Day has been and gone, and we enter the time where nobody knows what day it is, everybody then begins waiting for New Year’s Eve to arrive, and for 2026 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 occasion with a bang.
2023 was the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic where Manchester city centre hosted one of its famous fireworks displays that ‘say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new’, and it proved to be a huge success with both residents and visitors alike – so it only made sense that it would return again for 2024 and 2025.
Families from all across Greater Manchester are invited down to the ‘fun-filled event’ in St Peter’s Square this Wednesday 31 December from 10pm onwards.
And, for the first time ever this year, Mancs are being given the pick of two different events to enjoy with their families and friends as the city counts down to the new year – with events being held on Albert Square too, as well as St Peter’s Square.
You can find out more about all the events happening this New Year’s Eve in Manchester here.
The Council says that, in order to ensure ‘a safe and celebratory event for all’ to see in 2026, security staff will be keeping a close eye on revellers to minimise any disruption and allow everyone to see in the new year together.
To best accommodate the event and everyone attending, the following road closures and parking suspensions have been confirmed:
From 1pm on 31 December 2025 to 2am on 1 January 2026
From 7:30pm on 31 December 2025 to 2am on 1 January 2026
From 9pm on 31 December 2025 to 2am on 1 January 2026
From 9am on 27 December 2025 to 9am on 2 January 2026
From 4pm on 30 December 2025 to 6am on 2 January 2026
Portaloo toilet facilities, including accessible toilets will be available on site and the Lloyd Street public toilets will remain open to serve both Squares until 1 am.
Hot drinks and food will be available on site, but alcohol is not permitted.
There will be no tram services through St Peter’s Square from 9pm on 31 December until the end of the fireworks display.
Full details of Metrolink service and accessible shuttle buses can be found here.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)