The New Year is being marked in style across the world as Manchester prepares for its own party tonight to bring in 2023. More than one million people were expected to gather on the waterfront in Sydney, Australia for a spectacular firework display.
About 9,000 fireworks were set off from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the nearby Opera House as 2023 began down under at 1pm, UK time. There was a similarly spectacular pyrotechnics display in Auckland, New Zealand, where the New Year started at 11am UK time.
But the first country to experience 2023 was the Pacific nation of Kiribati, where the New Year began at 10am. Manchester is holding its annual New Year's Eve celebration tonight, but fireworks will not feature in the event.
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Council bosses have blamed budgetary pressures for the decision. The event in Piccadilly Gardens will include a big screen countdown to midnight, DJs as well as a bar space serving alcohol, and a separate family-friendly, zero alcohol viewing platform.
People are being advised that entry to the two spaces is first come first served, and once capacity has been reached the doors will be shut. Manchester council previously said it had decided not to put on fireworks due to 'significant and ongoing budget pressures'.
Coun 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.
"So join us before midnight in Piccadilly Gardens and help us bring in 2023 in style."
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