Festive Sundays in Manchester City Centre

Name: Festive Sundays in Manchester City Centre
Start: 2023-11-26T00:00:00
End: 2023-12-17T00:00:00
Location: St Ann’s Square

Shekina Rose, Families Editor Last Updated 12 November 2023

Festive Sundays at St Ann’s Square, City Centre Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, City Centre 26 November — 17 December 2023 Entrance is free — Visit now

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!

Festive Sundays at St Ann’s Square, City Centre Exchange Square, Manchester Arndale, City Centre 26 November — 17 December 2023 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near Festive Sundays in Manchester City Centre

City Centre

Restaurant

Corbieres

Superb little hidden-away bar on Deansgate

City Centre

Shop

Aston’s Of Manchester

In Royal Exchange Arcade, Aston’s of Manchester is a tobacconist that recently branched out into whisky sales. In their shop you’ll find an interesting selection of bottles to buy, including some real rarities, and tasting events here are just getting going.

City Centre

Theatre

Royal Exchange Theatre

The Royal Exchange is one of the most celebrated theatres in the country, highly regarded for both new writing and its take on the classics.

Manchester

Restaurant

The Rivals Bar & Restaurant

High-quality food and wine in the in-house restaurant for the Royal Exchange Theatre on St Anne’s Square

City Centre

Restaurant

Brickworks

Great-looking events space beneath the Grade II listed Barton Arcade

Manchester

Restaurant

The Remedy Kitchen

The Remedy Kitchen is a Manchester restaurant dedicated to healthy eating, with the goal to detox the body and mind.

City Centre

Cross Street Chapel

Located in the midst of Deansgate, this community chapel regularly hosts cultural events, socials and activities. Check out their website for info and upcoming performances.

City Centre

Place of worship

St Ann’s Church

Historic Grade I listed church on St Ann’s Square, Manchester.

City Centre

Hotel

Hotel Motel One Manchester-Royal Exchange

Hotel Motel One Manchester-Royal Exchange is an affordable hotel in Manchester’s city centre, perfect for a business or family stay in the city.

City Centre

Restaurant

Rola Wala Deansgate

Healthy Indian street food from this bright, socially-conscious dining space on Deansgate.

Manchester

Bloom Cafe

Bloom Cafe is a stunning cafe based on Deansgate in Manchester, serving up an array of hot and cold drinks, including a range of CBD options.

City Centre

Bar or Pub

The Botanist

The Botanist on Deansgate, Manchester, does botanical cocktails and toothsome food with aplomb.

See all places

What's on: Families

Until 31 Aug

Families

The Great Northern Giant Sandpit

Head to the Great Northern Sandpit in Manchester this summer and expect hours and hours of free entertainment for children.

free entry

Until 24 Dec

FamiliesManchester

Factory International Gift Membership

If you’re hunting for the perfect present – a Factory International Gift Membership could be just the ticket.

from £45.00

A band plays on a stage infront of a big crowd with lots of sparkling spotlights shining on them

Until 18 Jan 2025

FamiliesCity Centre

Factory International Membership

Get priority booking on the best seats, special discounts, invitations to exclusive events and much more. Are you in?

from £45.00

Until 31 Jul

FamiliesManchester

The 100 Story Hotel at Z-arts

Pack your curiosity and enjoy a special stay at the 100 Story Hotel.

from £9.00

Image of a stage with a band playing and a crowd of audience members stood and sat down.

Until 28 Sep

FamiliesPreston

Preston: City Event Programme

From Easter egg rolling to the 50th anniversary Caribbean Carnival, find out what’s happening in Preston this year.

free entry

Until 1 Sep

ActivityManchester

Summer Factory at Aviva Studios

Head into the city for a dreamy summer of live events (many completely free) all by the riverside at Aviva Studios.

free entry

Large beige tapestry with intricate colourful beading hanging on a white wool

Until 3 Nov

ExhibitionsWakefield

Igshaan Adams: Weerhoud at the Hepworth Wakefield

Igshaan Adams’ opulent textile works takes centre stage at his solo exhibition ‘Weerhoud’ at the Hepworth Wakefield.

from £0.00

Until 1 Sep

FamiliesManchester

Summer of Fun at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

Summer is here again so bring everyone along for family fun over the school holidays.

from £0.00

Culture Guides

Food and Drink in Manchester and the North

Gearing up for a sunny July? Take some eating-out tips from this month's guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

A close-up image of freshly baked challah bread. The bread is golden-brown, braided, and has a light, fluffy texture. Multiple loaves are visible in the background, all exhibiting a warm, inviting appearance with a slight dusting of flour.

Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North

Make bread, throw axes, learn costume design and drink beer like you've never done before in this month's Tours and activities guide.

Music in Manchester and the North

All-dayers make a strong showing in our latest music picks, from dance music marathons to vibrant showcases of South Asian artistry.

Family things to do in Manchester and the North

School year, complete! And as we say goodbye to what seems like a rather long summer term, we can look forward to the summer holidays, with lots of exciting activities...

Cinema in Manchester and the North

This month we look at Indie Horror Summer, outdoor movies, and a brand new film festival in Sheffield.

Theatre in Manchester and the North

Interactive circus, arts festivals and new writing, our guide features a show-stopping selection of theatre happening indoors and outside.

Literature Events in Manchester and the North

In between working out, then working through, your holiday reading pile this summer, find inspiration for your next bookish acquisitions from our selection of live events and exhibitions.

Dark landscape photo with a tree outlined against pale starry sky. There are green traces of fireflies in the foreground.

Exhibitions in Manchester and the North

Virginia Woolf and lasers, environmental recovery through wildness and thoughts on motherhood - all this and more in our exhibition top picks!

Classical Music in Manchester and the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

See all guides