Christmas arrives in the city this weekend – stay one step ahead of the traffic

With festive celebrations and fireworks displays galore taking place this weekend and early next week, travellers are being advised to plan ahead to ensure a sparkling time.

Manchester’s famous Christmas lights switch-on and show returns to Albert Square on Saturday evening (November 3) and a host of stars from stage and screen are set to perform – including Jonas Blue, Max George, the cast of Wicked, Dr Do-little and The Producers.

The night will be topped off by a huge 10-minute firework display.

If you are planning to attend, then Transport for Greater Manchester has put together a Christmas lights switch-on travel advice page to keep you all on the move and with changes to the Bury Metrolink line and industrial action taking place on the day please take the time to check.

There are also a number of Bonfire Night displays taking place over the weekend and into next week – with the largest events happening on Monday, November 5 at Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park and Platt Field’s Park.

The Oldham Edge 'Big Bang' bonfire celebrations are returning for the seventh year on Tuesday, November 6.

With around 100,000 people set to attend all the various displays roads are likely to be busier than normal.

To ensure people have a choice of how they want to get around, TfGM is providing additional public transport options and a handy travel advice page is available to help guide customers get around on Bonfire Night.

With roadworks still under way on Regent Road, Chester Road and the surrounding routes, trams, trains and buses are all likely to start getting busier than normal and so operators are looking to provide as much additional capacity as possible.

Customers are advised to plan ahead and allow additional time.

Transport operators will also be providing additional staff throughout the festive period and many of the region’s events will have enhanced security measures in place as well.

Ryan Carter, TfGM’s Events Planning Lead, said: “As we enter another busy festive season, we want everyone travelling to these events, both for Bonfire Night and for the Christmas lights switch on, to have a fantastic time.

"To make getting to the events as stress-free as possible we’ve been working hard to develop detailed travel plans help keep Greater Manchester moving.

"I'd urge everyone to plan ahead, allow a little extra time to plan their journey and to consider all transport options available to them.”

For information on public transport across Greater Manchester, visit: www.tfgm.com, call 0161 244 1000 (7am-8pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-8pm at weekends and bank holidays) or follow @OfficialTfGM on Twitter.

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