A Christmas opening ceremony will bring music and stilt-walking reindeers to Manchester city centre

Manchester's first ever First Day of Christmas celebrations will see a magical line-up of family-friendly entertainment across the city

Manchester is adding a little sparkle to its streets this Christmas with its first ever First Day of Christmas celebrations, filled with a magical line-up of family-friendly entertainment across the city centre.

Organised by Manchester Business Improvement District – a consortium of 400 leading retail and restaurant brands in the city centre – the city-wide event will see more than 50 performers appear on the city’s streets throughout the day as they help Manchester celebrate the first day of Christmas, bringing festive joy to all.

Taking place this Saturday 13th November 2021, the day after the city’s popular Christmas Markets open, visitors will be transported to a winter wonderland like no other, filled with festive characters, illuminations, live music plus lots, lots more.

Bringing true Scandinavian magic to the streets of Manchester, visitors can meet the beautiful puppet Aurora and her Arctic Fox in an unmissable roaming performance on Exchange Square by Global Grooves, whilst stilt-walking reindeers will also be making their way into the city centre.

Visitors can be transported to Narnia at The Royal Exchange Manchester and meet the Ice Queens at Photo Corner – and see The Living Lamp Posts as they illuminate Manchester’s finest shopping streets.

You’ll also be able to visit Manchester’s very own life-size Snow Globe Queen as she entertains crowds on St Ann’s Square, and be ready to waddle your way through the city centre with The Penguin Family and Crumpet the Elf as they try to find their way back to the North Pole.

Families can also get in the festive mood with live brass music in the afternoon with Bloco Brass Band and in the evening SPARK! Band’s one of a kind light up Christmas Music Show.

Plus, there’s even more entertainment thanks to performers from the Winter Circus as they welcome you into the city off Deansgate and onto Market Street.

First Day of Christmas celebrations will take place on Saturday 13th November 2021. Locations and times of acts may change on the day – for event updates, see visitmanchester.com/MCRChristmas

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