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
Major Christmas lights switch-on event announced at Manchester’s iconic Printworks
Daisy Jackson
Printworks has announced details of a major Christmas lights switch-on event, with celebrity guest Will Mellor.
Set to be the biggest switch-on event in Manchester city centre, the celebration will include a festive singalong and live entertainment, plus a 16ft digital tree and plenty more.
And as part of the wider festive celebrations at Printworks, there’ll be 25 prizes to be won all the way through December, including hotel stays and other goodies from the businesses based in the landmark building.
The Printworks Christmas Lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 29 November, kicking off at 4.30pm with a performance from the brilliant roaming brass band, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
Then there’ll be a family Christmas singalong at 5pm on Printworks’ interactive gaming screen, where Mancs can belt out classic Christmas hits together.
At 6pm, the almighty 16ft digital Christmas tree will be officially switched on by TV legend Will Mellor, along with a new festive display appearing overhead on Europe’s largest digital ceiling.
Printworks will host its Christmas Lights switch-on event in November. Credit: Jason Lock Photography
Expect to see Santa’s sleigh flying across the building, and Santa Claus himself pointing out passers-by and revealing if they’ve made the naughty or nice list.
The event will finish with a one-hour DJ set from Jack Clark to keep visitors in the festive spirit. Throughout December, visitors to Printworks can enter daily prize-draws at the digital Christmas tree, with big prizes up for grabs.
Daniel Davis, Centre Manager, said: “Families loved last year’s festive switch-on, which brought light to the city when the citywide celebration was cancelled. We’re thrilled to bring it back even bigger and brighter.
“With our incredible digital ceiling and new interactive features, we’re giving visitors a Christmas experience like no other full of music, magic and surprises.
“Our 16ft digital tree is something truly unique to Manchester, and with 25 prizes up for grabs throughout December, there’s a real reason to keep coming back. Whether you’re joining us for the switch-on or popping in for a festive meal or film, we can’t wait to celebrate with the community.”
The Christmas switch-on event at Printworks in Manchester
4.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
5pm – Family singalong
5.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
6pm – Christmas switch-on with Will Mellor
6.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
Luxury curling club and apres-ski bar to open in Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
A pop-up curling rink is set to open right beneath the skyscrapers in Manchester city centre this winter.
The Curling Club, already a top winter attraction down in London, has revealed plans to launch at the foot of the Deansgate Square towers later this month.
The alpine-themed winter village will be one of three across the UK, with two other Curling Clubs down in London.
As well as the state-of-the-art curling lanes, where Mancs can slide and shove their stones along the rink to giant bullseyes, there’ll be plenty more entertainment for the party season.
The Curling Club will bring apres-ski bars to the New Jackson district too, with DJs, dancers, and festive food.
Daren Whitaker, founder and chairman at Renaker – the developer behind The Curling Club at New Jackson’s site – said: “As the city centre’s first dedicated curling venue, the Curling Club will be an excellent addition to Manchester’s already strong competitive socialising scene.
“We are excited to be hosting The Curling Club in our New Jackson neighbourhood, bringing our residents together for a fun and unique experience and creating a lively destination for the wider community to enjoy.”
Luxury curling club and apres-ski bar to open in Manchester city centre. Credit: Justin De Souza
Trevor Bowers, chairman of The Curling Club, said: “This winter marks a milestone for The Curling Club as we expand to three incredible locations.
“Chelsea Winter Illuminations allows us to create something truly magical in a beautiful and adored area of London, while Manchester opens the door to new audiences, and Vinegar Yard gives us another exciting year in London Bridge. It’s our biggest and boldest season yet.”
Eve Muirhead, Olympic gold medallist and Team GB’s Chef de Mission, also returns as ambassador of The Curling Club, and will lend her experience and insider knowledge across all sites.
Tickets for The Curling Club Manchester are now on sale, with bookings available for groups between two and four people starting from £30 for 30 minutes – head HERE to get yours.
Emily Sergeant -
12th December 2022 
