Manchester will see in 2026 with one heck of a party in the city centre this year – we’ve got all the details as a FREE fireworks display is confirmedCrowds gathered in St Peter’s Square under umbrellas for the New Year’s Eve fireworks at the end of 2024(Image: Sean Hansford)

Manchester will welcome in the new year in style this year in a night that will for the first time see events taking place in TWO of the city centre’s most historic squares. There will also be the return of a big FREE firework display and “light spectacular”, Manchester Council have tonight confirmed.

For the first time ever, revellers will get the pick of two different events to enjoy as the city counts down to the New Year. Events will be held on both Albert Square and St Peter’s Square as the city prepares to usher in 2026.

St Peter’s Square will once again host the city’s big fireworks display, after hosting the New Year’s Eve celebrations for the first time last year. There will be a DJ-led family friendly event hosted by BBC Radio Manchester presenter Joe McGrath, and DJ Jimmy the Gent spinning the tunes.

Party tunes will play out in the run-up to the traditional midnight countdown, which will be followed on the stroke of twelve by a free firework and light display off the roof of Manchester’s iconic Central Library building.

The big Santa and Central Library will be the backdrop to fireworks as Manchester ushers in 2026 on New Year’s Eve(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)

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. Once the capacity of 20,000 is reached there will be no further entry.

There 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.

Over on Albert Square meanwhile New Year revellers will be able to experience all the fun of the fair including Manchester’s giant festive Ferris Wheel – the biggest mobile wheel in the country – as well as a range of food and drink stalls that are having an extended run on this year’s Christmas Markets. Albert Square has been back open and in use this Winter for the first time in six years amid the ongoing Our Town Hall refurbishment.

Albert Square is back in action this year – and will host revellers on New Year’s Eve(Image: Mark Waugh Manchester Press Photography Ltd)

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. It’s important to note that there will be no firework display taking place on Albert Square itself.

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 which will be 2,000. 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 either space reaches capacity no further entry will be allowed.

There will be no direct walk-through between the two squares. And council bosses have warned that 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.

Last year it was a wet and windy New Year’s Eve on St Peter’s Square but it didn’t put off revellers

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.

In order to ensure safe and celebratory events for all attending, security staff will be keeping a close eye on revellers to make sure there is no disruption and that everyone is able to enjoy seeing in the New Year together.

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester 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.

“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 dance the night away – wrap up warm, grab your family and your friends and come down and join us!”

Event staff will be working hard throughout the event and afterwards to make sure that both squares are cleared and people leave promptly once the events are over.

Councillor Karney added: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve in Manchester, including our city centre residents and those working in businesses near to Albert Square and St Peter’s Square. I’ll therefore be working closely with local councillors and others to ensure that we minimise any nuisance to those living and working in the vicinity.”

A number of temporary traffic management measures will be in place in the run-up to and on the day itself to ensure both events can safely go ahead.

The New Year’s Eve fireworks event in Manchester will take place once again on St Peter’s Square(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

New Year’s Eve – Road Closures

1pm 31 December 2025 – 2am 1 January 2026

Library Walk (St Peter’s Square to Mount Street)

7.30pm, 31 December 2025 to 2am, 1 January 2026

· 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 31 December 2025 – 2am 1 January 2026

· 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

9am 27 December 2025 – 9am, 2 January 2026

· Mount Street (4 accessible bays closest to Central Library loading bay)

6pm, 30 December 2025 to 6am, 2 January 2026

· Peter 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 parking

· Back George Street (Princess Street to Dickenson Street)

· Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)

· Mount Street (Windmill Street to Albert Square

· Dickenson Street (Portland Street to Back George Street) for accessible parking

· Bootle Street (Mount Street to Southmill Street)

· Central Street (Mount Street to Southmill Street)

Inaccessible Taxi Ranks

Peter Street (outside The Midland)

Metrolink

No trams will travel through St Peter’s Square after 9pm.

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.