Manchester Christmas Parade

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

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Manchester Christmas Parade

11 December 2022

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

Manchester Christmas Parade
The Manchester Christmas Parade
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Christmas is coming… and a festive first is on its way as Manchester hosts its inaugural Christmas Parade on 11 December, providing free, festive fun for the whole family!

After the extremely popular world-famous Manchester Day Parade in the summer, the first-ever Manchester Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday 11 December, bringing all sorts of festive vibes to the city, from magical sounds, spectacular sights to dazzling sparkle. This awe-inspiring parade will be lacing its way through the streets of Manchester City Centre next weekend, casting a Christmassy spell across the most popular city in the Northwest.

Starting at 1pm, the Manchester Christmas Parade will be bringing joy to the streets of Manchester in Deansgate, St Ann’s Street, Cross Street and St Mary’s Gate, and will feature over 100 participants. You might see Jacks of Frost and Fairy stilt-walkers, an Arctic Fox, and runaway Christmas Presents, to Cocky Robins, Glowing Gastropods with elf riders, and a stunning Christmas Toy Procession, on its first ever outing! The Town Hall Clock will also be making an appearance, helping make sure the parade is right on time and runs like clockwork. Yes – it sounds bizarre and wacky – but that’s all part of the Manchester Christmas Parade’s charm! The day promises festive fun and delight for all ages, and it’s free – what’s not to like?

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “Nowhere else does a parade quite like Manchester and we can’t wait to bring the first-ever, not-to-be-missed Manchester Christmas Parade to Santa’s favourite city.

“Of all the places in the world that Santa could have chosen for this magical festive first, Manchester is the obvious choice. It’s going to be fabulous, and we can’t wait!”

Jane Sharrocks, Manchester BID Chair and General Manager at Selfridges Exchange Square said: “We’re delighted to be involved in what will be Manchester’s first official Christmas Parade! As well as being a huge draw for families, it’s also a fantastic headline event for our programme of Festive Sundays which will see sparkling street performers including illuminated bands, roaming puppets, stilt-walkers, supersized penguins and more, take to the city’s main shopping streets for six consecutive Sundays during November and December.

It’s going to be fun! Come along and experience a Manchester Christmas like never before.

Where to go near Manchester Christmas Parade

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Busy backstreet Sicilian restaurant in the Northern Quarter, serving up traditional dishes with well-executed vegan versions that more than match up.

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Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant on High Street, Northern Quarter, founded by Teddy Lee. House-made noodles, eight-hour broths, plus sushi, donburi and vegan options.

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A hidden gem in the suburbs of Greater Manchester, serving high-level British small plates to a soundtrack of indie rock and roll.

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Pigeon Beer Wanderer brings wine-level ceremony to Manchester’s new “Beermuda Triangle”, courtesy of Joshua Lightfoot and his crack team of booze experts.

Image courtesy of Unitom.
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The exhibition arm of Manchester indie bookshop UNITOM is a dedicated space for contemporary visual culture in the St John’s neighbourhood.

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Portfolio

Portfolio is a Champagne boutique on Manchester’s Bridge Street, offering a set menu of fine-dining small bites.

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