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.
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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.
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“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.
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The Manchester Christmas Parade 2023 route mapThe Manchester Christmas Parade 2022
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:
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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)
Repercussion returns to The Warehouse Project for 2025 and its first-ever winter edition
Danny Jones
Fan favourite club event Repercussion is back for 2025, and this year’s Warehouse Project season is seriously starting to ramp up.
The annual Warehouse Project programme is now well underway and hasn’t disappointed us one bit so far upon its return to Depot Mayfield.
With the likes of Annie Mac, Fisher and Worried About Henry having already ticked off the opening events on the WHP25 calendar, there are so many other big nights now coming up – and there are very few that are quite as big and/or popular as Repercussion.
Judging by the calibre of acts they’ve got for what will be their first-ever winter edition at WHP, that reputation is only going to get bigger…
The Repercussion 2025 lineup is now yours. Underworld – true pioneers of electronic music – perform live, joined by Caribou (live), Floating Points, Joy Orbison, Job Jobse, Daphni, Chloé Caillet and many, many more.
As you can see, the Repercussion lineup for 2025 is absolutely stacked, with names such as Caribou (live), Floating Points, Joy Orbison and others already confirmed.
You’ve even got the likes of legends of London’s late-night scene like Shy FX and SHERELLE closing out the party as Greater Manchester’s most iconic clubbing institution goes full steam ahead into the early hours of the morning.
God, we’re a lucky bunch to have something as world-famous as WHP on our doorstep, aren’t we?
There’s plenty of the Manc music scene on show too, with local station CROP Radio taking over the nearby Star & Garter, as the pub and live music venue continues to champion top grassroots talent.
Furthermore, there’ll be plenty more spotlighting next door at Freight Island’s Plant Room, too, which boasts some of 0161’s finest selectors, including Metrodome, Joey T, Jim Bane, Camilla Reghenzi and Joe Motion.
There’s plenty more to be enjoyed beyond just the music itself, as well.
For 2025, Repercussion is also hosting a new record and retail market, featuring curated vinyl from Northern Quarter tastemakers and former record shop pioneers, Eastern Bloc, as well as lifestyle items from concept store, Suzy Loves Milo.
These collaborations are a celebration of Manchester’s independent spirit, and it goes without saying that Repercussion, Barry Can’t Swim, Homobloc, and so many other huge electronic nights wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the grassroots tradition running throughout our city’s culture.
Pre-sale will be available from 9am this Friday, 9 October, and general admission goes live from 12 noon; get ready to grab your tickets HERE. In the meantime, you can study the rest of the WHP 25 dates in full down below.
13 Going On 30 The Musical at Manchester Opera House – a fresh take on the nostalgic smash hit
Amy Williams
13 Going On 30 The Musical made its world premiere in Manchester last night, and it’s a night to relive a childhood favourite film, done so brilliantly.
With the original writers, Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, as part of the team plus Andy Fickman, who has screen hits such as She’s The Man and musicals including Heathers, you know from the off this is going to be good.
If you don’t know the story, it begins with a young (13 year old) Jenna and Matty, with Jenna wishing she was one of the popular girls, and instead ‘thirty, flirty and thriving’. The next minute, she wakes up on her 30th birthday.
She got everything she dreamed of – prom queen, editor of a popular fashion magazine, and the dream guy – but lost her best friend, family and became someone she didn’t quite like.
Can she turn it around and get back to the person she once was?
I loved this film when I was closer to 13, and now watching it premiere on the stage a bit closer to 30 myself, it’s still just as brilliant.
13 Going On 30 The Musical in Manchester13 Going On 30 The Musical in ManchesterCredit: Pamela Raith Photography
There’s an original score throughout it too (with the exception of, of course, Thriller – and the whole dance routine to go with it too might I add).
Staring Lucie Jones as Jenna Rink – with previous roles on Les Miserables, Ghost The Musical and Wicked – and David Hunter as Matt Flamhaff, their voices were absolutely incredible. A special mention too to young Matt, with brilliant vocals.
13 Going On 30 The Musical brought back the Thriller dance, the famous multicoloured dress and the need to go back instantly and rewatch the film again (and make my mum watch it, who hadn’t seen the film previously but still loved the show just as much).
13 Going On 30 The Musical is on at the Opera House Manchester until Sunday 12 October and you can still grab tickets here.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd December 2023 
