20 brilliant festive photos of Manchester's Christmas Parade as Santa, elves and even dinosaurs delight crowds

Families turned out in their thousands today to get a glimpse of Manchester's second Christmas Parade. After its debut 12 months ago, the 2023 running saw more than 400 participants take part. 

The parade featured all the weird and wonderful things that make the festive season so special - with snow queens, 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 parade even saw a special appearance from 'Richard Parker' the life-size Bengal Tiger puppet and star of the hit play Life of Pi which is coming to The Lowry.

A Christmas parade wouldn't of course be complete without the big man himself - Santa Claus - and he did not disappoint, bringing up the rear of the parade.