Manchester’s Christmas Parade returns in 2024 with ‘even more festive flair and fun’

Get ready for an unforgettable holiday experience as Manchester’s magical Christmas Parade returns for 2024!

This heartwarming event promises festive cheer and excitement for everyone—from children to the young at heart—on Sunday, December 8th.

Manchester Christmas Parade 2024

The 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 flair and fun than previous years with over 400 participants taking part in a joyous promenade through the city centre sprinkling pure festive magic along the way, guaranteed to melt even the hardest of hearts.

Don’t miss the elf express

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.

The dancing mistletoe Mice

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!

Cloud Travellers Nimbus and Cumulus

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.

Watch out also on the day for plenty of pop-up festive fun around the city.

Pop up festive fun around the city

Filled with a Christmas stocking-full of magical heart-warming moments the parade delighted the crowds from start to finish – with Snow Queens, Glitter Belles, Bouncing Elves, Dancing Snowmen and Candy Cane stilt walkers interacting with the crowds and putting a smile on everyone’s faces, alongside Reindeer, Owls, Festive Dinosaurs, and even Dancing Sprouts!

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

Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “Everyone knows that Manchester is the place to be at Christmas and our unmissable, fabulous Christmas Parade promises even more this year of all the festive flair and fun you’d expect from Santa’s favourite city.

“Santa’s been spoken to – and is definitely coming – the reindeer are on standby, and we can’t wait for everyone to join us for what promises to be the Manchester Christmas Parade of the century.  It’ll be a cracker!”

What will be the route of the Manchester Christmas Parade 2024?

This year’s Manchester Christmas Parade will start at 1 pm and follow a longer route 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

For the full guide to a Manchester Christmas, click here