There will be NO big Manchester Christmas Lights switch-on show for 2022 - as council bosses say there is 'no suitable location'. There has traditionally been a free entertainment event held where families can count down to the big festive lights switch-on - but it hasn't happened in the city since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many had been hoping the event would make a big return for 2022. But the council has now finally confirmed that despite a desperate search for a location they've not found one that is "suitable or safe" to host the annual event.
They've blamed the amount of construction work taking place across the city, including at the traditional location for the switch-on outside the Town Hall on Albert Square which is closed off for construction works. The news comes just a week after the council announced it was scrapping its Bonfire Night events in Manchester parks - blaming the escalating costs of organising the events.
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However, the council says talks are already underway to bring back the Christmas Lights switch-on for 2023. They also say it will officially return for the "biggest and best ever" festive lights event on Albert Square in 2024.
They have also teased a further festive event is being planned to be announced soon in place of a Switch-on show for 2022. It is billed as "not-to-be missed festive treats" ahead of the return of the Manchester Christmas Markets from November 10.
The Christmas Lights WILL still go up across the city centre though - and will be lit to mark the start of the Christmas Markets on November 10. Big Santa will return to his position outside the Central Library on St Peter's Square - but he, and lights across the square, will not be lit until after Remembrance Sunday on November 13.
The full statement from the council today said: "Lack of a suitable and safe location to host the annual event that usually kicks off Christmas in Manchester means that this year there will be no Christmas lights switch-on show in the city.
"Council bosses have spent the last few weeks trying hard to find a location that would be both big enough - with appropriate sightlines for an audience of families with small children - and also safe enough to host the much-loved annual event that regularly attracts thousands of people into the city centre to kickstart the festive season.
"Despite best endeavours and trying everything to make things work, the amount of construction work currently underway at key locations in the city centre this year rules out a big switch-on event."
Confirming the future of the event, it added: "Plans are however already being made to ensure that the event returns to the city centre again next year 2023, ahead of what promises to be the biggest and best ever switch-on event in Manchester's history the following year in 2024 when the event will once again return to Albert Square in front of the city's majestic and magnificent Victorian Town Hall."
Coun Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: "We've tried really hard to make a big Christmas lights switch-on event happen again this year after not being able to have one for the last couple of years, but despite our very best efforts this just isn't going to be possible.
"Anyone who has been in the city centre recently can't fail to have noticed all the development work going on to make Manchester even better than it already is, and as great as this is it does mean we've not got the space needed to safely manage a big switch-on event this year."
Pat pointed to the ongoing work to renovate the Town Hall that has ruled out Albert Square, as does ongoing demolition and construction work at the end of Deansgate. Piccadilly Gardens they say "isn't suitable in its current formation for a switch-on event".
After having a good look at safety and sightline issues they've also had to rule out St Peter's Square as a site that they say "is just too complex to manage to ensure a successful event that could be enjoyed by the thousands of people, including young children, who usually attend".
Coun Karney continued: "We're very well aware how much families enjoy the switch-on and what it means to them and are gutted that we can't deliver an event this year for them.
"We will however definitely be back with a big switch-on event next year for them, followed by Manchester's best ever Christmas switch-on event the year after that in 2024 when our wonderful Town Hall and Albert Square will be back in use again.
"In the meantime we've pulled out all the stops and have got some extra special Manchester Christmas magic in store this year to bring a sparkle to the city's streets and put a smile on everyone's faces.
"Watch this space for more announcements very soon on some absolutely not-to-be-missed free festive treats coming to Manchester this Christmas."
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