What's On
Manchester Christmas Parade 2023 returns this weekend – road closures and travel advice
The city's big festive family day is back.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd December 2023 
One of the city’s newer festive events will return to the city centre this weekend when the Manchester Christmas Parade hits the streets.
On Sunday 3 December, hundreds of snow queens, candy cane stilt walkers, dancing snowmen, giant Nutrackers, reindeer, owls, festive dinosaurs and even dancing sprouts will parade through town.
The festive event debuted last year and is now promising a bigger and better parade for 2023.
The Manchester Christmas Parade is due to set off at 1pm from Manchester Cathedral, following a route down Deansgate, onto St Ann’s Street, then along Cross Street and Corporation Street as far as the National Football Museum, where it will turn onto Fennel Street for the finish.
Father Christmas will be popping along to join in the festivities, along with the life-size Bengal tiger puppet of Richard Parker from The Life Of Pi, which is at The Lowry between 5 December and 7 January.
The Manchester Christmas Parade will be soundtracked by live music from the Global Grooves Nutcracker Bloco Band playing Santa’s favourite Christmas songs, joined by troupes of dancers dressed in their sparkly best Christmas kit.
Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson said: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone back again for another fabulous Manchester Christmas Parade.
“Last year’s first ever parade was an absolute delight, the heart-warming event of the season, with Manchester at its magical Merry Christmas best.
“Bigger and even better this year it’s going to be brilliant so wrap up warm, grab a Christmas hat and some tinsel and come and join us!”
To facilitate the Manchester Christmas Parade, road closures and changes to public transport will be necessary.
Road closures for the Manchester Christmas Parade 2023
Road closures from 8am until 5pm:
- Victoria Street
Road closures from 11am until 2.30pm:
- Cateaton Street (Deansgate to End)
- St Mary Gate (Cross Street to Deansgate)
- Deansgate ( Victoria Street to John Dalton)
- St Ann’s Street (St Mary’s Street to Cross Street)
- Cross Street (Albert Square to Market Street)
- Corporation Street (Market Street to Fennel Street)
- Fennel Street (Corporation Street to Cathedral Street)
- Cathedral Street (Fennel Street to Exchange Square)
Access to the Marks and Spencer car-park will be managed as much as possible via Victoria Bridge Street, but there will be two periods of approximately 20 minutes when we’ll have to pause this.
Changes on on-street parking and Metrolink
As well as a Metrolink tram suspension of the Second City Crossing route (St Peter’s Square, Princess Street, Albert Square, Cross Street and Corporation Street) between 12 noon and 2.30pm on Sunday, there will be on-street parking suspension on the following streets:
From 6pm on Friday 1 December until 6pm on Sunday 3 December:
- Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
From 6pm on Saturday 2 December until 6pm on Sunday 3 December:
- Market Street and St Mary Gate (Cross Street to Deansgate)
- Deansgate ( Victoria Street to John Dalton)
- St Ann’s Street (St Mary’s Street to Cross Street)
- Cross Street (Albert Square to Market Street)
- Corporation Street (Cross Street to Ring Road)
- Cateaton Street (All)
- Cathedral Street (Fennel Street to Exchange Square)
- Fennel Street (Corporation Street to Cathedral Street)
- St Mary’s Street (Deansgate to Southgate)
Read more
- Manchester Christmas Markets 2023 – prices for beer, mulled wine, prosecco, bratwurst and more
- Coca-Cola confirms the Christmas Truck is coming to Manchester this weekend
- The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 4 – 10 December 2023
Featured image: Manchester City Council
