Bonfire Night 2026: where to see fireworks around Manchester

Bonfire Night is spread across the calendar this year, with events running from Saturday 31 October right through to Sunday 8 November. The traditional night falls on Thursday 5 November, so whether you want to get it out of the way early or wait until the weekend, there is plenty to choose from across Manchester and the surrounding boroughs.

For a free evening in the city centre, the Digital Bonfire Night at Printworks on Thursday 5 November is the one to know. It runs from 16:30 to 19:00 in the Pumpyard and swaps real fireworks for Europe's largest digital ceiling, with lights and surround sound. It opens with the 'Manchester Stars' animation, where the names of real Manchester heroes appear across the ceiling and the public can nominate someone special. At 17:00 there are storytime sessions with BBC Radio 1 presenter Katie Thistleton and puppet Hacker T Dog, with SEN-friendly versions that include light-up headphones in a dedicated chill-out zone and a quieter display at the start of the evening. The main fireworks and music experience lands at 18:15, followed by a live choir from 18:30, with free sweets and seasonal drinks throughout.

If you are after a proper bonfire, the community displays are the best bet. The council's free events on Saturday 7 November at Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park and Platt Fields Park are built for families: gates open at 15:00 with Z-arts story-telling and craft activities, a reduced-noise display at 17:00 for young children and those sensitive to noise, lantern parades at 19:00 and the main musical fireworks at 20:00. Whalley Range Cricket Club on the same day keeps it traditional with an enormous bonfire lit at 18:30 and fireworks at 20:00, plus hot food, snacks and two bars. Over in Altrincham, Bowdon Bonfire on Friday 6 November adds a drone light show at 19:20 between its three firework displays, with a real bonfire, a kids' funfair, BBQs, toffee apples and sweet stalls. Tickets are on Eventbrite and under-3s go free.

For a quieter or more themed evening, Cockfields Farm Park in Oldham runs low-bang Disney-themed choreographed fireworks at 19:00 from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 November, with the farm opening at 16:00 and an optional s'mores kit for a bit extra. Reddish Vale Farm's Vale Fire and Fireworks Festival on 5 and 6 November pairs Pyrotex fireworks set to music with live fire performers, outdoor games and marshmallow roasting. And if you are happy to travel a little further, Rochdale Borough Council puts on free displays on 2, 3 and 4 November at Bowlee Community Park in Middleton, Queen's Park Road in Heywood and Cronkeyshaw Common, with the bonfire lit at 19:00 and reduced-noise fireworks at 19:30. None of the Rochdale sites have onsite parking or toilets, so walking or public transport is the way to go.

Round out the weekend with West Didsbury & Chorlton AFC's all-ticket night on Sunday 8 November, with a bonfire, fireworks and food and drink from 17:30. There is no car or bike parking at the ground, so it is one to walk or bus to. Between the free council displays, the club bonfires and the themed farm nights, there is a version of Bonfire Night to suit almost any plan, and plenty of it spread across the week.