Thousands of people attended public firework displays across Manchester on Saturday night as the council brought back events at Heaton and Wythenshawe parks following a seven-year absence.
The Covid pandemic and subsequent restrictions ended the council-organised displays, which had not returned until tonight. Two nights after Bonfire Night, free firework displays were held in the city's two main public parks, with no bonfires.
Displays across three parks
Organisers staged two different displays at each park. A reduced-noise, low-impact display suitable for families and people with special educational needs took place at 5pm, followed by the main fireworks displays at 8pm at Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park and Platt Fields Park.
Major fireworks events had been paused in 2019 following the Covid-19 pandemic, when funding challenges spurred a change of direction. The council chose to invest in a range of community-focused events across the city's parks through the autumn season rather than the major one-off fireworks events.
Return after seven years
Our pictures show that the big public firework displays are back, and with a bang. The return marks the first time the council-organised displays have been held since they were discontinued.
