Manchester City Council has taken the decision to cancel this year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The decision has been taken due to current government guidance regarding the use of vaccine passports for large outdoor events – which would prove extremely challenging to manage due to the open and public nature of the event.
Winter Gardens (Piccadilly Gardens) will be open throughout the festive period and on New Year’s Eve Winter Gardens will be serving food and drink from 10am till 5pm. In addition, Winter Gardens at Piccadilly is home to a stage area with music and live entertainment each night- perfect for festive fun seekers.
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s City Centre spokesperson, said:
“It’s a massive disappointment that we have had to cancel the New Year’s Eve celebrations for a second year running and we know that many people will be upset about this.
“It was a difficult decision to make but with the new Covid variant spreading quickly – and Government regulations around large events – we have to put the health of our residents first.
“For those who want to indulge in festive fun, get down to the Winter Gardens and enjoy the stalls that are open until 2 January. But think about your own safety and of those around you. It’s not too late to get your vaccine and booster to protect yourself from serious illness.”
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has been called off for the second year in a row and New Year’s Eve celebrations in Trafalgar Square are also cancelled.
