Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Spectacular New Year's Eve firework display confirmed for Manchester. Credit: Unsplash, Chris Curry
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Back with a bang!
🎆 Council-organised firework displays are set to return from next year, find out more at https://t.co/Klj6mDvsrP pic.twitter.com/pDTBoCxTzW— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) November 26, 2025
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Read more:
- Manchester’s Bonfire Night celebrations have officially been cancelled this year and ‘will not return’ in the future
- New survey claims Bonfire Night has ‘fizzled out’ as 78% of Brits want fireworks banned
- Corrie star blasts ‘little sods’ who let off fireworks at Salford Quays in the early hours
Cllr Craig said that the return of Council-organised firework displays is ‘building up for a spectacular 2026.’
More information on their return is set to be announced in due course.
Featured Image – Chris Curry (via Unsplash)