Free Bonfire Night 2026 events across the North West

With Bonfire Night fast approaching, some dazzling firework displays are set to light up skies across north-western England from 31 October to 7 November.

From digital displays to funfairs, live music and Halloween crossovers - here's all you need to know about the free events taking place across the region...

Manchester:

• Irish World Heritage Centre, Cheetham Hill

There will be two free firework events at The Irish World Heritage Centre.

On Saturday 31 October everything will run from 13:00 GMT to 21:00, with the fireworks being set off at 19:30.

On Thursday 5 November the event will run from 17:00 to 21:00, with the fireworks being lit from 19:30.

On both nights there will be a fire show and live music from 17:00.

• The Printworks in Manchester city centre will be providing an alternative to traditional firework celebrations on 5 November from 16:30 until 19:00.

The venue is hosting a free digital firework display featuring story-telling from BBC Radio One's Katie Thistleton and Hacker T Dog, followed by the main "fireworks" and music from 18:15.

• Manchester City Council will be hosting free firework night celebrations at Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park and Platt Fields Park on Saturday 7 November.

The council said each event would open at 15:00 and finish at 21:00 - with fireworks at both 17:00 and 20:00 at each site.

The earlier displays will be quieter.

Rochdale:

A number of free-to-attend non-ticketed events are being hosted by Rochdale Borough Council:

• Middleton Bonfire and Fireworks Display will take place at Bowlee Community Park on Monday 2 November

• Heywood Bonfire and Fireworks Display will place at Queen's Park Road, Heywood - opposite Queen's Park - on Tuesday 3 November.

The Middleton and Heywood events will feature funfairs, open from 18:00.

• Rochdale Bonfire and Fireworks Display will be at Cronkeyshaw Common, Rochdale - on Wednesday 4 November.

The lighting of the bonfires is set for 19:00 at all three events, with the fireworks to follow at 19:30.

Salford:

• Salford Firework Weekend:

The free Buile Hill Park firework display will be put on by Salford Council on 31 October - with The Prince's Park display in Irlam set for the following day on 1 November.

Both events will start from 16:00.

Oldham:

• Feast of Fire will be at Parliament Square on 31 October. Set up by Oldham Council, the joint Halloween and Bonfire Night celebration will start from about 17:30 and will feature a puppet display followed by fireworks.

Fleetwood:

• Fleetwood Firework Extravaganza - from 17:00 on Thursday 5 November, Fleetwood Town Council will be hosting its annual firework event at Marine Hall Gardens. The council said while there would be no bonfire due to health and safety reasons related to the venue, there would still be fireworks (which will be lit from 18:45)

Morcecambe and Heysham:

• J.Bird Fireworks Extravaganza Morecambe - Morecambe Promenade. Sunday 1 November.

• J.Bird Fireworks Extravaganza Heysham - Heysham Village Monday 2 November.

Entry is free for both events and there will be a funfair, food stalls and an on-site bar.

Preston:

• Pear Tree Park, Penwortham - Penwortham Town Council will be hosting its annual free firework event at Pear Tree Park in Middleforth Green on 5 November.

The event will start from 19:00.

Lancaster:

• Light up Lancaster For those looking for an alternative to traditional firework displays, a free city-centre light festival will be taking over Lancaster from 5 to 7 November.

• Station House, Warrington

A free-to-enter community bonfire night will be held at the Station House in Padgate on Friday 6 November, starting at 18:00 GMT, with the fireworks set to start at 19:30.

• The Billinge Arms

The Billinge Arms will be hosting its annual firework display and bonfire event - kicking off at 17:30 with fireworks at 19:30. The event is on Thursday 5 November and while entry is free, the pub has said it requires attendees to leave a £5 deposit to book their slot.

Liverpool:

• The Elephant in Woolton Village, in Liverpool, will be hosting two firework events.

Thursday 5 November - a full night of celebrations with live music, food and drink and fireworks. The event will run from 16:00 to 19:00, with fireworks at 18:00.

Saturday 7 November - The pub will also host a more relaxed sensory bonfire night, with live music and food.

• River of Light, Liverpool city centre. For those who prefer an alternative to fireworks there is a free light trail on across Liverpool city centre from 23 October to 1 November.

Run by the council, the trail can be visited from 17:00 to 21:00 between those dates.

Wirral:

• Central Park, Wallasey, Fireworks Event - Wirral Pyrotechnics and Events Team Fairground rides are hosting a free firework display on Thursday 5 November - with fire breathers and other entertainment at Central Park in Wallasey.

The event will run from 15:00 until 22:30.

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