There’s a new Manchester Christmas TV advert – and it’s a real tearjerker

Tearjerker alert!  The new Manchester Christmas TV advert has been released, and it really tugs on the heart strings.

The new film is a sequel to last year’s emotional film which gave John Lewis and Marks and Spencer a run for their money in the festive stakes.

It follows a Manchester family enjoying their festive celebrations, panning down into a traditional cobbled terraced street.

The film makers take us on a familiarly poignant journey – thinking about family, friends and the community, and with animated glimpses of key Manchester locations like Albert Square, Piccadilly Gardens (in its heyday) and of course the Christmas Markets.

The animation was premiered for the first time today – the opening day of the Manchester Christmas Markets – Friday, 9th November.

The film was created collaboratively by Manchester City Council’s communications team and Flipbook studio. The specially commissioned music was performed by Blackley Brass Band.

The 2017 animation racked up millions of views of Manchester’s Santa being helped along on the ice rink by kind hearted children.

As the camera pulled upwards into the sky and the clouds begin to draw in, skaters (including a particularly Manc reindeer) can be seen etching out a huge Manchester Bee in the ice.

Cllr Pat Karney, Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson, said: “We were completely overwhelmed by the reaction to the Christmas animation last year. We have produced festive films for a number of years, but the response was incredible and we can all admit to shedding a tear.

“This year’s animation continues where last year’s video ended and takes us on another festive journey – and I should warn you that a pack of Kleenex should be kept close at hand.”