Lots of people have been getting into the festive spirit by attending the annual Christmas Parade in Manchester city centre.
The family-friendly event – which is now in its third year, and has become a firm favourite with Greater Manchester locals – took place this past weekend, and saw everything from Aurora Borealis-themed stilt walkers, to Mistletoe dancing mice, and everything in between.
More than 400 participants took part in the Parade, and amongst these were a multitude of families, all ready to spread the Christmas cheer.
Like many events, there are always some familiar faces who visit every year, and 2024 was no different – with the Snow Queen returning to fascinate while perched in her winter-themed globe.
The Manchester Christmas Parade is taking place tomorrow! 🎅
Join us for a brilliant event of free, festive family fun in the city centre, starting at 1pm.🥳
There was live music from Elton Wrong performing on his stadium-inspired float, receiving nothing less than rapturous applause and a well-deserved standing ovation, all before some cheeky elves handed out 1,500 free hot chocolate vouchers to anyone who passed them by.
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The big man himself came to our wonderfully festive city to mark the occasion with music from his band of mischievous elves.
Anyone who joined in on this weekend of fun will also have spotted the flurry of retro ski gear, as a huddle of segway skiers swooshed through the city’s streets.
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This year saw the Manchester city centre Christmas Parade sponsored for the first time ever by Manchester-based company Rosgal Ltd.
Manchester City Council worked with many organisations for this year’s Parade, including Walk the Plank – which played a key role in Rochdale’s ‘Wild Wanders’ event – Global Grooves, Handmade Parade, and Fools Paradise.
The event as a whole helped families create lots of important memories while also adding a fun activity to their Christmas calendars.
10 reasons to visit Manchester’s most beautiful boutique hotel this Christmas
Daisy Jackson
King Street Townhouse, one of Manchester’s most celebrated hotels, turns 10 years old this year.
And to celebrate, the team at this award-winning hotel have planned a bumper season of events and reasons to visit over the winter season.
From festive feasts to spa days to sparkling city views, there’s absolutely masses going on as the hotel celebrates a decade of magic.
Tucked away just off Albert Square, King Street Townhouse is home to some of the city’s finest bedrooms, its legendary infinity pool with views of the Manchester Town Hall, its cosy Tavern restaurant, its hidden cinema, and its serene spa.
Add to that festive afternoon teas, live music, festive film screenings, and loads of prize giveaways and you’ve got your new favourite winter hangout sorted.
So here are 10 reasons to visit King Street Townhouse hotel this winter as it celebrates its 10 year anniversary in Manchester.
One of Manchester’s top afternoon teas now has a festive twist – and you’ll be eating it in the cosy lounge filled with twinkling lights.
On each afternoon tea tower you’ll find tiers of handmade treats like a dainty tart in the shape of a wreath, a baby gingerbread man, and an eggnog and clementine macaron.
There are also loads of savoury bites, featuring finger sandwiches filled roast turkey, brie and mulled wine marmalade, and smoked salmon.
Sundays with Live Music
King Street Townhouse at Christmas
Every Sunday from 30 November, you can enjoy live music in the Tavern every week until 21 December.
Taking place in the cosy surrounds of the Tavern, beneath a gigantic sparkling Christmas tree, you can relax with a live violin while you tuck into your afternoon tea or the wider seasonal menu.
The live music takes place between 1pm and 5pm each week.
The Decad’ent Ritual
The spa at King Street Townhouse
To celebrate a decade of King Street Townhouse, its serene spa is offering a limited-edition experience designed to soothe, restore and leave you glowing.
Kick off with two hours in the thermal suite, before heading into a 60-minute Comfort & Glow treatment (a restorative back ritual with hot towels and ESPA’s signature Restorative Oil, followed by a nurturing massage, a gentle facial cleanse, exfoliation and hydrating mask, then a slow, therapeutic scalp massage).
Then you’re treated to a seasonal sweet treat, with the option to add on a glass of champagne or extra treatments, and £10 off ESPA products in the spa boutique.
The Tavern at King Street Townhouse is leaning into the festive spirit with a special seasonal menu, packed with comforting classics with a special touch.
Expect ox cheek and cheddar croquettes, golden crisp turkey schnitzel burgers with port relish and a pig in blanket, and perfectly melty camembert.
There’s also festive desserts like gingerbread sticky toffee pudding and spiced winter berry cheesecake.
It’s all available daily between 12pm and 5.30pm, with two courses for £24 or three for £28.
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Signature 10-Year Cocktails
10 year anniversary cocktails
As well as seasonal drinks like mulled wine and festive cocktails, King Street Townhouse’s brilliant bar team have whipped up a special 10 year anniversary menu of drinks too.
That includes The Account Statement (rum, St Germain, lime, honey and champagne) to reflect 10 years of success, The Vault Key (pisco, gin, lime, agave and chocolate bitters), and The Ledger (whiskey, mulled spice, maple, walnut bitters).
The hidden cinema at King Street Townhouse will be getting in the Christmas spirit with a programme of festive film favourites.
This year’s bill includes timeless classics like It’s A Wonderful Life, Home Alone, and Die Hard, plus modern favourites like Elf, The Holiday, and Bad Santa.
All enjoyed in the hotel’s plush cinema seats, with popcorn and drinks available to be delivered to your seat.
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Screenings are all on sale now and you can grab your tickets here.
Want to make the absolute most out of your visit to King Street Townhouse? You may as well turn it into a proper escape with one of the hotel’s amazing seasonal packages.
Whether you pick a package that includes a night in the beautiful hotel and makes use of the spa, or choose a package that’s geared around the brilliant food offering with dinner, bed, and breakfast, there’s a package for you.
Wellness is at the heart of the King Street Townhouse offering all year round, which makes this the perfect place to unwind during the festive season.
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Obviously, there’s the spa’s amazing thermal suite, with its Himalayan Salt Cave, eucalyptus steam room, rainfall shower and ice fountain, heated loungers, and sauna.
But there’s also that amazing infinity pool (only for hotel guests) with views of the Manchester Town Hall as its iconic clock tower reemerges from its restoration.
The hotel also has a state-of-the-art gym downstairs.
January Afternoon Tea: Best of 10 Years
Why should the fun stop when the year ends? King Street Townhouse will kick off the new year with a special afternoon tea that celebrates their best creations over the last decade.
The pastry team have always innovated and reimagined afternoon tea classics, and are now preparing to revisit some of their favourites.
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Expect a menu that’s both nostalgic and refreshing – where contrasts of colour, texture, and taste come together in perfect harmony.
10 Days of Magic
Every day between 14 December and 24 December, to celebrate 10 years together, King Street Townhouse will run a competition across their social media platforms, plus a grand prize draw.
Prizes in the daily competitions will include complimentary experiences to complimentary overnight stays.
Plus, one lucky hotel guest each day will be given a reward to say thank you for staying with King Street Townhouse as it celebrates its Decade of Magic.
See more and book your experience at King Street Townhouse this ChristmasHERE.
Manchester Cathedral to host charity Christmas carols service to raise money for local NHS hospitals
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a charity Christmas carols service to raise money for our local NHS hospitals.
Organised by Manchester NHS Foundation Trust Charity and now in its twelfth year, Christmas Carols in the City will take place in the spectacular surroundings of Manchester Cathedral in a couple of weeks time, and it’s sounding set to be an enchanting experience for the whole family to be involved with this festive season.
The Grade I-listed Manchester Cathedral is one of our city’s most unique buildings, with the Gothic architecture truly being a thing to behold.
Christmas Carols in the City is being described as a ‘great way’ to start the festive season in style.
Hosted by Hits Radio’s Mike Toolan and sponsored by PG Tips, performances on the night will come from local Manchester choirs.
The event is family-friendly and festive fun for everyone, all while raising funds for the Foundation Trust’s family of NHS Manchester hospitals.
Every penny raised from this year’s event will help to build and run a MediCinema on the Oxford Road hospital campus, which will aim to bring the ‘therapeutic magic of the movies’ to patients of all ages cared for by hospitals such as Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Manchester Cathedral is hosting a charity Christmas carols service to raise money for our local NHS hospitals / Credit: Supplied
With room for wheelchairs, hospital beds, and medical equipment, and supported by dedicated nurses and trained volunteers, the new MediCinema will offer 260 screenings a year of the latest releases, alongside much loved film favourites.
In recognition of the MediCinema Appeal, Christmas Carols in the City will feature some much-loved Christmas movie classics at this year’s concert too.
Christmas Carols in the City will return to Manchester Cathedral for 2025 on Tuesday 11 December, with doors opening from 7pm and tickets now on sale.
Thomas Melia -
9th December 2024 
