Thousands of people made their way to the city centre yesterday for what was Manchester’s first-ever Christmas Parade.
With the festive season now officially here, crowds lined the city centre’s main shopping streets yesterday on what was one of the coldest weekends of the year for the first-ever free Christmas Parade – which brought an extra-special dose of Christmas magic, and has been dubbed a “brilliant success” by Manchester City Council.
A first for the city, and the only one of its kind in the UK, the magical parade saw more than 200 parade participants take to the streets and weave their way through the city centre in a procession filled with all the sights, sounds, and sparkle of Christmas.
Off the back of the successful return of the Manchester Day Parade earlier this year, the first-ever Christmas Parade was commissioned by Manchester City Council and ManchesterBID, and created by outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
The parade was filled with everyone’s favourite festive things.
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Thousands flocked to city centre for Manchester’s first ever Christmas Parade / Credit: Manchester City Council
Led by Santa Claus himself, and a very-festive version of Manchester’s iconic Town Hall Clock, the parade saw everything from candy cane stilt walkers and runaway presents, to Christmas elves and dancing snowmen bring a smile to visitors’ faces as they interacted with the crowds, alongside some cheeky robins, a giant reindeer, arctic fox, snowy owl, Jack Frost, and an enchanting giant snow globe.
One of the highlights of the parade was a mini Christmas Toy Procession, with sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, and a fairy mouse squeaking its way around the streets, along with the biggest Christmas Crackers you’ve ever seen.
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Dancers dressed in their sparkly Christmas kit entertained crowds, and the Bloco Band also provided live music on the day playing everyone’s favourite Christmas songs to get people in the festive mood.
The event has been dubbed a “brilliant success” / Credit: Manchester City Council
The Christmas Parade went down so well families and festive shoppers, that councillors are now considering whether to bring it back next year.
“It really was one of the best things we’ve ever done,” commented Councillor Pat Karney.
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“What made it for me was just seeing thousands of youngsters of all ages, smiling and waving and celebrating the magic of Christmas. We already know Manchester is Santa’s favourite city, and we want all the children and young people who grow up here to know this too, and to have really great memories of Manchester at Christmas.”
Over the past few weekends now, businesses based in the city centre have been working in partnership with the Council and Manchester BID throughout the festive season to help make sure Christmas is magical in Manchester this year.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Christmas
Cheshire Oaks to debut first-ever ice rink with iconic Christmas tree in the middle to skate around
Emily Sergeant
Cheshire Oaks has unveiled its big plans for the upcoming festive season.
With less than 100 days until Christmas is here, and festive events being announced left, right, and centre, Cheshire Oaks has now joined in on the action, and for the first time ever this year will be adding a bespoke ice rink into the mix, which is set to become centrepiece of its festive celebrations this Christmas season.
The Designer Outlet shopping mall is already known and loved in the North West for its Christmas events each year, and 2025 is set to be no different.
The highly-anticipated ice rink attraction will launch in late October, and it’s already promising to be an ‘unforgettable experience’ that organisers say blends the timeless joy of ice skating with contemporary design and community spirit.
A brand-new ice rink is coming to Cheshire Oaks with a big Christmas tree in the middle to skate around / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of the new ice rink will be a custom-designed ice path that gracefully weaves around Cheshire Oaks’ iconic oak Christmas tree in the centre.
The rink itself will be nestled within a dedicated Christmas events space at the shopping village.
“We are incredibly excited to soon introduce this bespoke ice rink experience to our guests,” says Kenny Murray, who is the General Manager at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
“It’s more than just a place to skate – it will be a destination where families and friends can create cherished festive moments.”
There’ll be lots of other fan-favourite festive activities returning too / Credit: Supplied
The new ice rink will officially open on Friday 24 October, and tickets will be available soon, with the option to book in advance online or on the day, so keep your eyes peeled.
Alongside the exciting new ice rink addition will, of course, be some of Cheshire Oaks’ fan-favourite Christmas attractions – including the ‘The Big Wheel’ and ‘Santa in the Sky’ experiences, as well as festive film screenings, and the massively popular Winter Village.
The Winter Village is the perfect place to head to if you’re in need of a break from gift shopping and somewhere to soak up the Christmas spirit, as here you can grab a cosy seat and tuck into some traditional German bratwurst from the swing grill, warm up with mulled wine at the bar, and marvel at the UK’s tallest Christmas tree.
You can also book a little wooden hut to relax in, with each hut accommodating up to six people.
The Big Wheel is also one of Cheshire Oaks’ best-loved experiences each year, as here you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the festivities unfold below you, with each flight taking 10 minutes, or you can upgrade to Santa in the Sky to meet the main man in the most unique way possible.
Find out everything happening at Cheshire Oaks this Christmas here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Christmas
Baileys has collabed with Terry’s Chocolate Orange on the most festive tipple ever
Emily Sergeant
The Christmas countdown has officially begun, and there’s a new tipple on the scene to help celebrate.
That’s right – two of the UK’s most beloved treats, Baileys and Terry’s, have dropped the ultimate collaboration and it’s launching 100 days before the big day arrives, gearing up to be the Christmas tipple of choice for chocolate orange lovers.
Baileys x Terry’s Chocolate Orange is a limited-edition treat blending the distinctive taste of Baileys Original Irish Cream with flavours of chocolate and zesty orange.
It’s fair to say that Baileys and Terry’s Chocolate Orange are both beloved staples once the festive season rolls around, with each having taken on various different variations over the years, combining new flavour profiles to create delicious treats.
Baileys has collabed with Terry’s Chocolate Orange on the most festive tipple ever / Credit: Baileys & Tom Harrison
But surprisingly, this is the first time the two brands have come together for a one-of-a-kind collaboration.
This new collaboration between the two iconic Christmas brands is inspired by the season’s most quintessential flavours.
“For generations, Terry’s Chocolate Orange has been a staple of the Christmas season, so partnering with Baileys is an exciting way to reimagine that tradition in a new and indulgent form,” commented Lorène Decam, who is the Senior Marketing Manager at Terry’s.
“We can’t wait to see fans enjoying this irresistible treat in the run-up to and during the holidays.”
Rolling out nationwide from tomorrow (16 September), Baileys x Terry’s Chocolate Orange will come in 50cl bottles with a 17% ABV and will likely set shoppers back £11 each when they get it from leading retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, and Co-op.
Emily Sergeant -
12th December 2022 
