24 fun-filled pictures as 10,000s pack the streets for thrills of the Manchester Christmas Parade

More than 400 participants and performers took part this year. First held in 2022, the parade has quickly settled into the city’s Christmas calendar and is widely regarded as a warm, family-friendly highlight of the season.

This year’s event was larger than last year’s, and the typical Manchester rain didn’t deter crowds as the parade moved through the busy streets. Smiles, cheers and plenty of umbrellas marked its progress, with spectators of all ages lining the route.

Leading the way was the Reindeer Ensemble, eight synchronised dancing reindeer whose choreography and enthusiasm set the tone for the rest of the procession. A new addition for 2023 was the Festive Fantasy Candyland Castle.

More than four metres tall and accompanied by stilt-walking candy canes and dancers, the slowly rotating fairytale tower drew particular attention from younger onlookers. Following behind it was a giant mythical dragon greeting children along the route.

Other large-scale creations included a huge Polar Bear, an Arctic Fox, oversized reindeer guided by elves, an enormous Christmas Tree Fairy, Jack Frost with his dancers, dancing sprouts, a wandering Christmas tree, glitter belles, and “two grumpy Grandads on wheels”.

Ten community groups from across Manchester also joined in as dancers, musicians or performers after an open call earlier in the year. Music played throughout, including performances by the Bloco Band, the Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band, Fat Cat Brass, and Elton Wrong with his portable stage.

Father Christmas closed the parade on the Elf Express and later stopped at St Ann’s Square to meet families. Santa hats, flags and 1,500 hot-chocolate vouchers from the Christmas Markets were handed out along the way.

Councillor Pat Karney said: “I remember thinking at the end of our fabulous Manchester Christmas Parade last year that we would never be able to top it…” and went on to describe this year’s event as “off-the-scale brilliant”.

The parade was delivered with partners including Handmade Parade, Global Grooves, Walk the Plank and Fools Paradise, supported by sponsor Quooker and others. Quooker’s Managing Director Stephen Johnson said: “Manchester is our home…” and expressed pride in supporting the event.

Manchester’s Christmas Markets continue across ten sites until 22 December. For more information about Christmas in Manchester visit manchester.gov.uk/christmas