Christmas

Manchester’s FREE annual Christmas parade is back for more festive fun than ever before

Dashing through the snow.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 15th October 2024

Manchester’s annual Christmas Parade is back again for another year of seasonal joy and magic, it has been confirmed. 

Arriving in December, the magical Parade – which first started back in 2022 – starts and finishes at Manchester Cathedral, walking through Deansgate and Market Street as part of it’s journey, but don’t worry if navigation skills are your weak area, as you’ll be able to hear live music playing as it strolls through the city centre.

There will be a variety of special guests, including everyone’s favourite Snow Queen and her golden carriage, who’ll be taking part in the parade with some all-new appearances.

The Manchester Christmas Parade 2022
Manchester’s annual Christmas parade is back for more festive fun than ever before / Credit: Manchester City Council

This year, the ‘Elf Express’ will be blazing through the Manchester high streets carrying elves, with the rest of Santa’s little helpers who couldn’t fit on the cosy Christmas train riding horses alongside instead.

Ever wished the Swiss Alps were right on your doorstep?

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Well a group of retro skiers are going to be swishing through Manchester and making Victoria Street feel like Lake Geneva. 

December will be a chilly one, but this parade is sure to warm your heart / Credit: Supplied

December will surely be a chilly one, but this parade has got you covered, as in order to keep you warm, guests can sing along to hits from tribute act ‘Elton Wrong’, to not only warm your spirits but body too.

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Over 400 participants and characters are set to wander their way through Santa’s favourite city, with their usual smiling faces and outgoing personalities.

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The main man himself and his reindeer crew will ride through our city with a whole host of festive friends on Sunday 8 December from 1pm.

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

Christmas

Trafford Centre’s popular Santa’s Grotto is back this Christmas

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

The main man is making our northern city his new home at one of Greater Manchester’s biggest shopping centres this winter time.

Starting in November and running all the way up until Christmas Eve, Santa is swapping the cold air of the North Pole for the cloudy skies of Manchester, as he starts his annual journey around the world by making a visit to our region.

Not only is Santa travelling with his grotto, he’s also giving visitors the chance to experience the world of the North Pole as he brings the chilly destination to the Trafford Centre.

On top of the already-impressive Grotto, there’s lots of other things to do this festive season too, and guests also can wander through Candy Cane Land, The Enchanted Forest, Merry Maker’s Studio, and Santa’s Study.

The Trafford Centre’s popular Santa’s Grotto is back this Christmas / Credit: Trafford Centre (via Supplied)

There will be allocated time slots for a ‘Whispering Winter’ event, with dimmer lights, quieter music, and reduced amount of visitors to make sure the opportunity to see Santa is open to everyone.

Each paying child will receive a gift for no extra charge, with tickets priced at £25 for children and accompanying adults pay a reduced price of £7.50.  

Santa may live in the chilly North, but once you enter The Grotto, you will certainly be greeted with a warm welcome from him and his wonderful elves who are helping him out.

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For just over a month, from 16 November to 24 December, Santa’s Grotto will be located outside The Great Hall in the old Frankie & Benny’s unit.

Tickets are already on sale here.

Featured Image – Trafford Centre (via Supplied)

Christmas

Sainsbury’s is hiring 20,000 temporary Christmas staff across the UK

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Sainsbury’s has launched a festive recruitment drive, and wants to hire thousands of temporary staff to help “deliver an exceptional Christmas for customers” this year.

With the festive season fast approaching, and most British supermarkets having already unveiled their Christmas food and drink ranges for 2024, Sainsbury’s is gearing up for what is always one of the busiest times for the retail industry by launching a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drive.

The supermarket says its stores and warehouses have already started to prepare themselves for the festive season, and is now looking for an army of temporary workers to join teams across the country to help along the way.

20,000 temporary Christmas staff will be hired in total – with 18,000 of those at the supermarket itself and 2,000 being at Argos outlets housed within selected Sainsbury’s stores.

Sainsbury’s is hiring 20,000 temporary Christmas staff across the UK / Credit: Sainsbury’s

With a wide range of roles available, the tens of thousands of temporary staff across the UK – including here in Greater Manchester – will be tasked with serving customers, restocking shelves, and fulfilling online orders by picking, packing, and delivering.

Then, in the supermarket’s depots and fulfilment centres, colleagues will work in warehouses to ensure products reach homes and stores nationwide ready for customers to enjoy.

All seasonal staff will be employed on fixed-term contracts that range from three to 12 weeks.

The roles also come with a number of staff perks too, as in a bid to “further support and reward colleagues with festive season expenses”, Sainsbury’s has made the decision to bump its 10% colleague discount offer up to 15% every Friday and Saturday, with an additional 15% off at Argos every payday Friday.

Temporary Christmas staff also get free food during their shifts too.

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year for Sainsbury’s / Credit: Hazel Nicholson (via Flickr)

“As the festive season draws near, we’re getting ready to create a memorable Christmas for our customers,” explained Prerana Issar, who is the Chief People Officer at Sainsbury’s.

“Our brilliant colleagues play a central role in bringing this to life.

“Joining us during this busy time is a fantastic opportunity to meet great people and acquire skills that will stay with you long after the festive season. Our amazing store colleagues play a huge role in making Sainsbury’s the first choice for our customers, ensuring that good food is joyful, accessible, and affordable however households choose to celebrate.”

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Fancy it then? If you’re keen to join the Sainsbury’s or Argos teams across the UK this Christmas, then head on over to the Sainsbury’s recruitment website here to apply, or pop into your nearby store for more information.

Featured Image – Sainsbury’s

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