News
This is why Manchester’s firework displays have been cancelled and ‘will not return’ in the future
Emily Sergeant -
29th October 2024 
Manchester’s Bonfire Night celebrations won’t be going ahead this year, and they “will not return” again in the future either.
In case you missed it, Manchester City Council officially confirmed last year that it “will not be reinstating Bonfire events” in its parks throughout the city, after rumours swirled following several consecutive cancellations in previous recent years, due to both social distancing COVID restrictions and also “escalating costs”.
No large Council-run Bonfire Night events have been held in the city since 2019, when the impacts of the pandemic initially caused them not to go ahead.
The Council also says its “position remains the same” now following that post-COVID review.
Which means while there are plenty of privately-organised displays taking place around town, some of the region’s best-known events like the Heaton Park Bonfire Night display are off.
Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who is the Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods at Manchester City Council, says the authority “looked carefully at the cost benefit of putting on these huge bonfire events” before making the decision to cancel them going forward.
As mentioned, she pointed to “continuing rising costs” and “pressure on budgets” as the reason for the cancellations.
Since the formal decision was made to not continue with Council-run Bonfire Night events going forward, the Council has decided to refocus its attentions on delivering a “bespoke programme of autumn and winter park activities” for its local communities each year instead.
Cllr Igbon explained last year that the positive feedback received from smaller-scale events in previous years informed its decision to continue doing the same in the future.
“We want to support families through the cost of living crisis,” Cllr Igbon.
“We feel that this is much better way to target resources by providing a programme of events, whether that is sports and physical activity, arts and crafts, educational activities or initiatives that provide free or low-cost food, that are relevant and meaningful to residents in their local neighbourhoods.
Read more:
- Council cancels Bonfire Night firework displays in Manchester over ‘escalating costs’
- Corrie star blasts ‘little sods’ who let off fireworks at Salford Quays in the early hours
- MPs debate banning domestic fireworks displays after 300,000 sign petition
“The Council will continue to work with our partners to ensure that all our residents stay safe this season.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
