Bonfire night in Manchester has been cancelled for 2021.
Manchester City Council has announced that popular council-run bonfires will not take place this year, citing the pandemic as the reason behind the cancellation.
Hosting an array of large-scale events every single year for the community to enjoy, bonfires that usually take place in Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park, Etihad Campus, Platt Fields Park, Brookdale Park and Debdale Park will no longer go ahead, with no alternatives planned for this year’s Guy Fawkes Night.
Citing the need for extra ‘infrastructure and security’ to ensure all attendees could prove their Covid vaccine status, the council made the decision to once again cancel the events, following mass cancellations last year as a result of the nationwide lockdown. Councils were also concerned about a rise in infections both locally and nationally.
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly and I know that many people who look forward to these events will be disappointed, especially when we could not host them last year because of coronavirus restrictions.
“But the health of Manchester people, and the logistical considerations around that, has to come first. Concerns around high Covid infection rates, especially among children and young people who would traditionally make up the bulk of the attendance for this sort of event, also have to be factored in.
“This is not a blanket ban on fireworks events in the city. We would support externally organised, pre-ticketed events provided they have suitable Covid-management plans in place. But it does mean that we are simply not in the position to host the free, non-ticketed events in our parks.
“We would encourage anyone who is planning to purchase their own fireworks to do so safely and responsibly and, as usual, will be working with partner agencies to help promote safety messages and prevent anti-social behaviour.”
While bonfire night in Manchester has been cancelled for 2021, Mancs can rest assured that the Christmas Markets will be going ahead – as councillors continue to work hard to ensure restrictions can be put into place ahead of the event.
Which bonfires are affected?
- Heaton Park
- Wythenshawe Park
- Etihad Campus
- Platt Fields Park
- Brookdale Park
- Debdale Park
Will they be returning for 2022?
It’s currently unclear whether council-run bonfires will return for 2022.
Are any other bonfires taking place in Greater Manchester this year?
A number of bonfires will take place in Greater Manchester this year, including: