PRESS RELEASE: Manchester to host its first ever Manchester Christmas Parade

27th Nov 2022

Joint Press Release: Manchester Business Improvement District and Manchester City Council

NEW for Manchester City Centre: A Christmas Parade on Sunday 11th December

A magical parade filled with all the sights, sounds and sparkle that spell Christmas, will weave its way through the streets of the city centre, to help bring some extra special Christmas cheer to the city.

Building on the success of the city’s world-famous Manchester Day Parade, which after starting small for its first parade back in 2010, now regularly sees thousands of people flock to the city centre to watch it, the inaugural Manchester Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday 11 December.

Manchester BID, working in partnership with Manchester City Council and outdoor art experts including Walk the Plank, Global Grooves, Handmade Parade and others, will host the city’s first-ever Christmas Parade.

With well over 100 parade participants, spectators can expect to see everything from Jacks of Frost and Fairy stilt-walkers, an Arctic Fox, and runaway Christmas Presents, to Cocky Robins, Glowing Gastropods with elf riders, and a never-before-seen Christmas Toy Procession that will wind its way through Manchester Arndale.

Also making a special appearance in the parade will be the Town Hall Clock, wound up and looking its very festive best, helping make sure the parade runs like clockwork.

Starting at 1pm on Sunday 11 December, the Manchester Christmas Parade will take in Deansgate, St Ann’s Street, Cross Street, St Mary’s Gate and the Arndale.

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 #FestiveSundays, which are seeing sparkling street performers including illuminated bands, roaming puppets and stilt-walkers take to the city’s shopping streets every Sunday up to 18th December.”

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “Nowhere else does a parade quite like Manchester and 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.”

Manchester BID’s #FestiveSundays

Businesses based in the city centre have been working in partnership throughout the festive season via the Business Improvement District, and our partnership with Manchester City Council’s Christmas Markets, to help make sure Christmas is magical in Manchester this year.

Our #FestiveSundays are proving hugely popular. Filling the streets with sparkling street performances to delight and surprise families in the run-up to Christmas. With many thanks to all our performers and partners.

For media information please email anoushka@echo-pr.co.uk