Manchester will host the official countdown to 2023 in Piccadilly Gardens.
Hot on the heels of a brilliant six-week Christmas Market run, the Piccadilly platform features two areas – a bar space and a separate family-friendly, zero alcohol viewing platform.
DJs will provide musical entertainment throughout the evening and ahead of the all-important countdown to midnight, which will be broadcast via a big screen.
Both spaces will be limited capacity and will be closed once they are full.
The usual New Year’s Eve Fireworks will not take place this year.
Given significant and ongoing budget pressures, the Council has agreed to use the limited resources available to provide free community events throughout the year, rather than one off moments such as New Year’s Eve. For example, the recentChristmasParade – the first event of its kind in the city that attracted thousands of visitorsto the citycentreearlier this month.
Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson,said:
“We know that New Year’s Eve is a special night – one that everyone looks forward to – and we are all disappointed that we can’t go ahead with our usual fireworks this year.
“Unfortunately, we simply cannot justify the increasing costs of putting on a big display while also worrying about funding essential Council services. We believe that we should use the limited funding we have to put on free events in communities throughout the year and we look forward to seeing more of this in the coming months.
“But we couldn’t let New Year’s Eve go by without a true Mancunian countdown.Sojoin usbefore midnight in Piccadilly Gardens and help us bring in 2023 in style.”
