Autumn chill has settled firmly across the North West, ushering in the scent of woodsmoke and crisp evening air.

Bonfire Night falls on Thursday 5 November this year, and displays across Greater Manchester run from this weekend until Sunday 8 November. The Manchester Evening News has listed at least 60 events in the region; below are the free council-run displays, checked against the councils' own pages.

Manchester: Heaton Park, Platt Fields Park and Wythenshawe Park

Manchester City Council's free fireworks events return on Saturday 7 November, two days after Bonfire Night. There are no bonfires at these events.

According to the council, each park opens at 3pm, with Z-arts storytelling at 3pm, 3.45pm and 4.30pm. A shorter, reduced-noise, low-impact display designed for young children and anyone who prefers gentler fireworks follows at about 5pm.

Lantern parades start at 7pm, and the main fireworks display set to music begins at 8pm. Events close at 9pm, and the council says times are approximate and may change. Each park will also have a food and drink village and funfair attractions.

TfGM expects 7 November to be very busy, with the first weekend of the Christmas Markets, concerts and football at Old Trafford on the same day. Heaton Park tram stop is next to the park entrance on Bury Old Road, Wythenshawe Park has its own stop on the Airport line, and Platt Fields is on the city's busiest bus route.

Salford: Buile Hill Park and Prince's Park

Salford City Council's free Firework Weekend comes earlier this year. Buile Hill Park on Eccles Old Road opens at 4pm on Saturday 31 October, with three displays: the quieter Little Sparks show at 5.30pm, the louder Firecracker display at 6.30pm and the main show at 7.30pm. There is no bonfire at Buile Hill, and parking must be booked in advance.

Prince's Park in Irlam follows on Sunday 1 November from 4pm, with a Little Sparks display at 5.30pm, a traditional bonfire lit at 6.30pm and the main display at 7.30pm. Free event parking is available at Lidl on Fairhills Road and Tesco Extra on Woodrow Way.

Rochdale: Middleton, Heywood and Rochdale

Rochdale Borough Council is putting on three free bonfire and fireworks displays, each running from 6pm to 10pm: Bowlee Community Park in Middleton on Monday 2 November, Queen's Park Road in Heywood on Tuesday 3 November and Cronkeyshaw Common in Rochdale on Wednesday 4 November.

At Cronkeyshaw Common, the bonfire is lit at 7pm, followed by a reduced-noise display set to music at 7.30pm. No booking is needed, but there is no on-site parking, and alcohol, fireworks and sparklers are not allowed.

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester

Printworks in Manchester city centre is bringing back its digital Bonfire Night display on Thursday 5 November, with storytelling from Katie Thistleton and Hacker T Dog and a musical display from 6.15pm.

Across the other boroughs, local sports grounds, cricket clubs and community groups are hosting their own ticketed displays, many with bonfires, funfair rides and food stalls. The Manchester Evening News has the full borough-by-borough list.

Securing advance entry is wise for the popular ticketed events, as some may sell out.

Safety remains a priority, and councils are urging families to attend organised events rather than hold their own displays at home.

Sources: Manchester City Council, TfGM, Salford City Council (Visit Salford), Rochdale Borough Council, BBC News, Manchester Evening News. This article was produced with the help of AI tools and checked by an editor against the sources above.