Calling all Santas!
An extra-special treat is in store this year to help celebrate the return of the magical Manchester Christmas Parade on Sunday 8 December, with over a thousand free festive hot drinks on offer for the first people to show up early for the parade, wearing either their finest full Santa suit, or a Santa hat.
On Manchester’s very own ‘Santa Sunday’, the first 1500 people to pay a visit ahead of the parade to the Christmas Grotto in the Royal Exchange Arcade, dressed head-to-toe as Santa or at least sporting a Santa hat, will be given a voucher for a hot chocolate winter-warmer from our world-famous Christmas Markets.
To be in with a chance of a free hot choc – while stocks last – Santa wannabes must present themselves between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm with a ho-ho-ho to (the real) Santa’s team of mischievous cheeky elves at the Grotto, who will be playing around getting everyone in the festive spirit.
Adding to the seasonal cheer will be The Royal Exchange Manchester Christmas Choir who will be performing at various times throughout the morning in the Arcade, which runs between Cross Street and St Ann’s Square.
Arrive early for the Manchester Christmas Parade and from 12:30 pm those same cheeky elves will also be making mischief along the parade route to get everyone smiling as they help spread a little extra Christmas fun, with goodies and giveaways galore ahead of the parade at 1 pm.
Manchester’s now annual parade has become a festive favourite with families in the city since first taking place two Christmases ago in December 2022.
This year’s unmissable parade promises even more festive fun for families, with over 400 participants taking part in a joy-filled promenade through the city centre, sprinkling pure festive magic along the way and guaranteed to melt even the hardest of hearts.
With live music bringing the sounds of the season and colourful dancers at every turn, the centre-piece of this year’s parade is sure to be Manchester’s very own Elf Express – a spectacular train with carriages full of elves that will be making a special stop in Santa’s favourite city on its way to Santa’s workshop in the North Pole.
Look out too for the Mistletoe dancing mice, Christmas horse-riding Elves on stilts, an oversized Polar Bear with playful giant paws and Christmas Robins, or the Aurora Borealis Stilt Walkers, Robot Drummers and toe-tapping Hip Hop Elf.
And check out Ski Sunday as one-of-a-kind segway skiers swoop and slide along the parade route, donned in vibrant retro ski gear, complete with cheeky personalities and blasting out 80s tunes and festive Christmas classics, creating an illusion of downhill fun in a flurry of entertainment!
Prepare also to be amazed by the spellbinding and beautiful airborne puppetry of Cloud Travellers Nimbus and Cumulus who from their illuminated clouds cast magical raindrops from the tips of their fingers, and enjoy a singalong with Elton Wrong piano man as he rides along on his portable stadium stage whilst playing the piano and crooning his way through his top ten of pop hits and show tunes.
And of course it wouldn’t be the Manchester Christmas Parade without the return of everyone’s favourite, the enchanting Snow Queen mesmerising all as she sits in her giant snow globe gliding through the city streets.
The city council is working with a range of partners including outdoor arts organisation Walk the Plank, Global Grooves, Handmade Parade, and Fools Paradise to help make sure that this year’s Manchester Christmas Parade is the best yet.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “Everyone in Manchester knows there’s nowhere quite like our brilliant city at Christmas and we’re counting the sleeps until Santa Sunday when we’ll be going all out to help make some amazing Merry Christmas memories for our children and families.
“Only three years old and the Manchester Christmas Parade is already the stuff of Christmas legend. An absolute must-see and one hundred per cent the heartwarming event of the festive season. Grab a Santa hat and some tinsel and come and join us – don’t miss it!”
This year’s Manchester Christmas Parade has been sponsored by Rosgal Ltd.
‘Santa Sunday’ has been supported by Manchester Business Improvement District and the Royal Exchange Manchester, in partnership with Manchester Christmas Markets.
Councillor Pat Karney added: “I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at Rosgal Ltd who are sponsoring our Manchester Christmas Parade this year. And a big shout-out also to Manchester BID, The Royal Exchange Manchester, and to all the Manchester Christmas Market stall-holders who are generously donating free festive drinks to our wannabe Santas on the big day. Thank you!”
This year’s Manchester Christmas Parade will start at 1 pm and follow a longer route than previous years that starts and ends at Manchester Cathedral:
Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Deansgate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral
More information about the Manchester Christmas Parade and Christmas in Manchester here
