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Manchester’s newest gym and wellbeing club is absolutely stunning
Sam Ridgway -
3rd January 2020
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3rd January 2020 What's On
Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
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!
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) November 26, 2025
🎆 Council-organised firework displays are set to return from next year, find out more at https://t.co/Klj6mDvsrP pic.twitter.com/pDTBoCxTzW
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.
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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.
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“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)
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Peter Kay announces final Manchester show on historic run – with all profits going to cancer charities
Daisy Jackson
Peter Kay has announced some final arena shows, including one in Manchester, and he’s donating all profits to cancer charities.
The Bolton-born comedy legend will be playing one more night at the AO Arena as well as extra dates at The O2 in London, The First Direct Arena in Leeds, and plenty more.
What sets these arena shows apart from his record-breaking run, which has seen him sell out arenas for four years now, is that all the profits will be going straight to charity.
Peter Kay has pledged that ‘every single penny’ from his final dates will be going to 12 leading cancer charities.
These will include Children With Cancer UK, the Teenage Cancer Trust, plus charities dedicated to 10 different types of adult cancer.
Peter Kay holds the record as the only artist in the world to have performed a monthly residency at the O2, and has performed more than 100 shows on this tour in his hometown, at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The star made the announcement on BBC’s The One Show this evening.
Speaking of the announcement, he said: “It’s been the greatest privilege of my life to perform for audiences up and down the country.
“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support over the years, and it feels right to give something back. Every single penny of profit from these final shows will go to help fight cancer and support those affected.
“Unfortunately, just about everyone knows someone who’s been affected by one of the cancers on that list.
“I really hope people can get behind this – come out, have a great night, share a few laughs, and do something good for charity at the same time. It’s a win–win.
“You don’t even have to like me – raising money for these twelve charities goes far beyond that. Together, we really can make a difference.”
Peter Kay will perform one more night at the AO Arena Manchester on Saturday 8 August 2026.
Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Sunday 30 November HERE.
The cancer charities Peter Kay will donate his final profits to are:
- Children With Cancer UK
- Teenage Cancer Trust
- Kidney Cancer UK
- Blood Cancer UK
- Bowel Cancer UK
- Prostate Cancer UK
- DKMS
- Ovarian Cancer Action
- Pancreatic Cancer UK
- Anthony Nolan
- The Brain Tumour Charity
- Breast Cancer UK
Peter Kay final show dates in full
- Newcastle – Utilita Arena – Sunday 8 March
- Nottingham – Motorpoint Arena – Friday 20 March
- Glasgow – OVO Hydro – Friday 3 April
- Dublin – 3 Arena – Thursday 16 April
- Birmingham – Utilita Arena – Friday 1 May
- Belfast – SSE Arena – Thursday 4 June
- Liverpool – M&S Bank Arena – Friday 19 June
- Sheffield – Utilita Arena – Saturday 20 June
- Leeds – First Direct Bank Arena – Friday 24 July
- London – The O2 – Friday 7 August
- Manchester – AO Arena – Saturday 8 August
Read more
- Comedy legend Bill Bailey announces arena show in Manchester
- Childish Gambino confirms shock stroke that caused him to cancel his world tour
- Lily Allen adds massive Manchester arena show to West End Girl tour
Featured image: Publicity picture
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