Manchester Christmas parade photos: 28 fab pictures of free Christmas event in Manchester city centre

Manchester city centre danced to the sound of Christmas songs on Sunday afternoon when the city held its first ever Christmas parade.

The fun festive event attracted crowds of families who wrapped up warm to experience a little Christmas magic - and best of all, it was all free. Colourful characters in Christmassy costumes led the 100-strong procession, accompanied by musicians belting out Christmas favourites and street performers entertaining excited children.

Folk waved as the parade set off from Deansgate and wound its way towards Market Street over the course of about an hour, before looping back towards Deansgate again.

The procession was inspired by the success of Manchester Day in June, which saw thousands gather to watch a colourful celebration of the city and its people.

Manchester City Council and Manchester BID have been pulling out all the stops to make the festive season magical, with events including the six Festive Sundays of outdoor entertainment.

Jane Sharrocks, Manchester BID chair and general manager at the Selfridges store in Exchange Square, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in Manchester’s first official Christmas Parade. As well as being a huge draw for families, it’s also a fantastic headline event for our programme of Festive Sundays which are seeing sparkling street performers including illuminated bands, roaming puppets, stilt-walkers, supersized penguins and more, take to the city’s main shopping streets for six consecutive Sundays during November and December.”