Manchester’s New Year’s Eve fireworks – location, start time, how to get there and everything you need to know
Two free events will take place in the city centre to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Manchester
10:31, 29 Dec 2025
A stunning view of Manchester shows Albert Square, the Town Hall clock and the skyscrapers of Deansgate in the background(Image: Mark Waugh Photography)
This New Year’s Eve, Manchester is set to welcome in 2026 with two city centre events. The celebrations will include a free firework and light spectacular on Wednesday evening.
In a first for the city, two events will take place in two of its most historic city centre squares, giving families, friends and anyone who wants to ring in the new year in the city centre plenty of choice. The events will be held in Albert Square and St Peter’s Square.
For those keen to see the city lit up with fireworks on New Year’s Eve you’ll want to head to St Peter’s Square, which will be hosting a family friendly event. The DJ-led event will be hosted by BBC Radio Manchester presenter Joe McGrath, while DJ Jimmy the Gent will be on the decks.
Vistors have been told to expect high spirits and party tunes in the run-up to the traditional midnight countdown, which will be followed on the stroke of twelve by a firework and light display off the roof of Manchester’s iconic Central Library building.
Thousands watch as Manchester celebrates the start of 2019 , with a fireworks display in front of the Town Hall in Albert Square(Image: Joel Goodman)
Meanwhile, over on Albert Square New Year revellers will be able to experience all the fun of the fair including Manchester’s giant festive Ferris Wheel alongside a food fest, plus festive tipples from stalls that have had the crowds packing out the square every day since Manchester’s Christmas markets opened back in November.
With a host of independent craft stalls on the square, those with a head for heights can swap a view of midnight fireworks for a view instead from the top of the big wheel, of the rooftops of Manchester and beyond as the city and its neighbours bring in the new year.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “We all know how much Mancunians of all ages love to get together and party which is why we’re thrilled this year to give them not one but two celebrations to take their pick of this New Year’s Eve.
Albert Square Manchester Christmas Markets And the ferris
“Whether you’re a Ferris Wheel fanatic with a head for heights, or a music-loving feet-on-the-ground firework fan it promises to be a brilliant night out. So get yourselves ready to have some fun and dance the night away – wrap up warm, grab your family and your friends and come down and join us!”
Below we take a look at the full programme for the two events, timings and how to get there as well as key travel information.
Where are the New Year’s Eve events taking place in Manchester City Centre?
St Peter’s Square:
(Image: Mark Waugh Photography)
Fireworks and a DJ-led family event will take place at St Peter’s Square on New Year’s Eve. The alcohol-free event kicks off at 10pm with entry into the square through security-controlled entry points around the square with bag searches in operation. Hot drinks and food snacks will be available.
Anyone planning to attend should be aware that it is a standing-room only event and will not be seated. There will 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. The nearest entry point for this area will be on Dickinson Street, next to Anthologist bar.
Visitors should also note that guide dogs only will be allowed on St Peter’s Square. Portaloo toilet facilities, including accessible toilets will be available on St Peter’s Square, and the Lloyd Street public toilets serving both squares will also remain open until 1am.
Albert Square
A Santa’s Sleigh view of Manchester city centre at Christmas in new images across the rooftops(Image: Mark Waugh Photography)
Open throughout the day as usual on New Year’s Eve, entry into Albert Square will continue to be allowed throughout the evening on a controlled basis using the existing entry points until it reaches capacity. The event will end at 12:30am.
Those wanting to join in with the celebrations on either Albert Square or St Peter’s Square should note that the number of people on both squares will be strictly controlled and once each space reaches capacity no further entry will be allowed.
There will be no direct walk-through between the two squares. Entry into one of the squares will not guarantee entry into the other square once capacity is reached.
People attending either of the two events are asked to limit any bags they bring with them to no bigger than A4 in size and no glass is allowed. Bag searches will be in operation at each of the entrances into both Albert Square and St Peter’s Square.
How to get there
St Peter’s Square(Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)
Metrolink
Services will operate from 6am until around 1am at a 12-minute frequency. After 9pm, service changes will be in place to allow for the fireworks display in St Peter’s Square – no trams will travel through St Peter’s Square after 9pm.
From start of service until 9pm:
- Altrincham – Etihad Campus
- Bury – Piccadilly
- Ashton-under-Lyne – Eccles (via MediaCityUK)
- East Didsbury – Rochdale Town Centre (via Exchange Square until 8pm, then via Market Street)
- Manchester Airport – Victoria (via Market Street)
- The Trafford Centre – Deansgate Castlefield
From 9pm until end of service:
- Bury – Piccadilly
- Ashton-under-Lyne – Victoria
- Eccles – Deansgate-Castlefield (via MediaCityUK)
- Rochdale Town Centre – Exchange Square
- East Didsbury – Deansgate-Castlefield
- Manchester Airport – Deansgate-Castlefield
- The Trafford Centre – Deansgate Castlefield
Last trams will depart Manchester city centre around 1am. Make sure to check the last tram times before travelling.
From 9pm until end of service, no trams will operate between Deansgate-Castlefield and Market Street/Piccadilly Gardens/Exchange Square.
Bus:
If you’re travelling in and around the city centre, consider hopping onboard the Free Bus 1 & 2 services.
Both bus routes will run to a Saturday timetable on New Year’s Eve, with the Free Bus 1 services operating every 30 minutes until 11.30pm, and the Free Bus 2 services operating every 30 minutes until 11.15pm.
Taxis
In terms of taxis, the Peter Street taxi rank located outside of The Midland Hotel will not be accessible.
Accessible parking
A limited amount of unreserved accessible event parking will be available on Dickinson Street (George Street to Portland Street) and George Street (between Princess Street and Dickinson Street). The nearest entrance to the event site is on Dickinson Street next to Anthologist bar.
Road Closures
A Santa’s Sleigh view of Manchester city centre at Christmas in new images across the rooftops(Image: Mark Waugh Photography)
1pm 31 December 2025 – 2am 1 January 2026Library Walk (St Peter’s Square to Mount Street)
7.30pm 31 December 2025 – 2am, 1 January 2026Peter 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 31 December 2025 – 2am 1 January 2026Lower Mosley Street (Windmill Street to St Peter’s Square)Princess Street (Cooper Street to George Street)Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickinson Street)
Parking Suspensions
9am 27 December 2025 – 9am 2 January 2026Mount Street (4 accessible bays closest to Central Library loading bay)
6pm 30 December 2025 – 6am 2 January 2026Peter Street (Lower Mosley Street to Mount Street)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) for accessible parkingBack George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert SquareDickenson Street (Portland Street to Back George Street) for accessible parkingBootle Street (Mount Street to Southmill Street)Central Street (Mount Street to Southmill Street)
Bus Diversions
Due to Princess Street and Peter Street being closed for the New Year’s Eve celebration, a number of bus services will be on diversion from 8:30pm until 3am. The following bus services affected are: 35, 36, 37, 38, 50, V1, V2, V4 & X39.
