Manchester will host a spectacular free fireworks event to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the city centre. There will be a capacity for up to 20,000 revellers at St Peter’s Square for the event – the first time its ever been held in the historic location.
Fireworks will be released from the roof of Manchester Central Library in another first for this year’s event. There will be a DJ and hosted live stage with an official countdown to midnight to welcome in 2025 in style.
Given the scale of the event, there will be no tram services through St Peter’s Square from 8pm to end of service on Tuesday December 31.
The New Year’s Eve event will be family friendly, with no alcohol allowed. But council bosses have confirmed there will be a couple of stalls selling hot food and non-alcoholic drinks.
Fireworks in Manchester city centre back in 2019 on Albert Square – this year it will be on the other side of the Town Hall on St Peter’s Square
(Image: Joel Goodman)
The event will open from 10pm on Tuesday, and run through to 12.30am. Entrance will be on a first come, first served basis and once capacity is reached there will be no further entrance.
There will be a live stage show, with radio presenter and DJ Joe McGrath hosting proceedings and leading the countdown to midnight.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said in announcing the event: “If there’s something we do well in Manchester, it’s getting together for a big celebration – and there’s no better time for a big do than New Year’s Eve.
“This is the time to remember the year we’ve just had and to look ahead to the new one and all it may bring, surrounded by the people we love.
“Everyone knows Mancunians of all ages love a party, and this New Year’s Eve is going to be fantastic – a chance to dance the night away, with one of the biggest fireworks displays in the region for everyone to enjoy.”
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re heading along on Tuesday, December 31.
Rules of entrance
There will be entrance points all around St Peter’s Square to get into the New Year’s Eve event, and security staff will also be directing pedestrians where to get in. Once the capacity of 20,000 is reached, no further entrance will be admitted to the square on the night.
Anyone attending the free event is asked to limit any bags they bring with them to no bigger than A4 in size. Bag searches will be in operation at each of the multiple entrances into the event space.
Anyone planning to attend the event should be aware that it is a standing room only event and will not be seated. There will however be a managed designated accessible viewing area located on the Metrolink tram platform closest to Central Library, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Owing to the nature of the event, visitors should expect bright lights and loud noises. But it will be family friendly, and a reminder that no alcohol will be allowed on St Peter’s Square during the event.
In order to ensure a safe and celebratory event for all attending, security staff will be keeping a close eye on revellers to ensure there is no disruption and that everyone is able to enjoy seeing in New Year together.
Is there any parking?
A limited amount of unreserved accessible event parking will be available on Mount Street.
But anyone thinking of driving to the event should be warned there’s a number of road closures and parking bay suspensions in place. These can be found below.
Are there toilets?
Portaloo toilet facilities, including accessible toilets, will be available on site. The Lloyd Street public toilets will also remain open until 1am.
Road and tram closures announced
The council say a number of temporary but necessary traffic management measures will be put in place on the day so the event can go ahead.
Road closures – 31 December 2024
7.30pm–2am
Peter Street westbound (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Peter Street eastbound (Deansgate to Lower Mosley Street)
Oxford Street (Peter Street to Portland Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
Bale Street (Lower Mosley Street to Hall Street)
Hall Street (Bale Street to Oxford Street)
9pm–2am
Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
Parking suspensions from 8am on 29 December until 6am on 2 January
Peter Street (Mount Street to Lower Mosley Street)
Parking suspensions from 6pm on 30 December until 6am on 1 January
Oxford Street (Lower Mosley Street to Portland Street)
Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)
Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Princess Street)
Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)
Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Southmill (Windmill Street to Bootle Street)
Accessible parking
Unreserved accessible event parking is available on Mount Street.
Metrolink
There will be no tram services through St Peter’s Square from 20:00 on 31 December until the end of service.
Full details of Metrolink’s service and their accessible shuttle bus service can be found here: www.tfgm.com/new-years-eve