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Festive Sundays in Manchester City Centre

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

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Festive Sundays

St Ann’s Square, City Centre Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, City Centre
26 November-17 December 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Free
Festive Sundays
Matt Eachus
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Get in the Christmas spirit at Festive Sundays in Manchester City Centre, starting on 26 November and running every consecutive Sunday until 17 December. Festive Sundays will feature dazzling toy procession street performances, live music and incredible puppetry for families in the weeks running up to Christmas.

Commissioned and produced by Manchester Business Improvement District, on behalf of the city centre’s leading retailers and hospitality venues and in partnership with Manchester City Council, Festive Sundays will see puppets and supersized arctic foxes roaming Manchester’s shopping streets to the backdrop of live music reverberating around the city centre. This special entertainment will make for a fun and festive atmosphere for Christmas shoppers, or those out having a mulled wine at the Christmas markets – and they’re free!

The first Festive Sunday (26 November) will see themed performances around the central shopping district, moving around the Manchester Arndale, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street and Deansgate. Expect giant roaming puppets and street performers, accompanied by amazing live music played by the Fat Cat Brass Band and Bloco Band.

On the next Sunday (3 December), shoppers, families and Manchester visitors can enjoy the Manchester Christmas Parade, packed with extraordinary spectacles, as larger-than-life characters and fabulous live acts to dazzle audiences with their Christmas magic.

The final two Sundays (10 and 17 December) bring a spectacular Toy Procession to Manchester’s Christmas Markets, for families of all ages to enjoy. This is where we get really, truly Christmassy, with giant stilt-walking acts including Sugar Plum Fairies, Toy Soldiers, Christmas Elves and Fairy Mouse. Feeling peckish for some Christmassy food? While enjoying the Christmas Cheer at the market, you could also get yourself a hot dog (or two), or a yorkshire pudding wrap. Those with a sweeter tooth might prefer churros…

Our mouths are watering and we can’t wait. Christmas is COMING!

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