And now, we have the return of Festive Sundays to add to that exciting list.
After proving to be a smash-hit success during their inaugural year in 2022, with families flocking to the city centre in their thousands to make the most of the free events, it’s now been confirmed that a series of four ‘Festive Sundays’ will enchant audiences in the run-up to Christmas this year too.
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‘Festive Sundays’ are returning to Manchester city centre this Christmas / Credit: Manchester BID
The city centre’s main streets will, once again, be filled with “captivating” parades and performances that are set to “surprise visitors of all ages”.
Organised by Manchester BID, in partnership with Manchester City Council and Manchester Markets, this year’s Festive Sundays event series starts on Sunday 26 November and will see roaming performers and illuminated acts take to the streets across St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, and Manchester Arndale every following Sunday until 17 December.
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The Christmas parades this year are promising to “capture the imaginations” of little Mancs, and “bring festive magic to all”.
Organisers have given a quick run-down of each event and what to expect.
Families are expected to flock to the city centre in their thousands to make the most of the free events / Credit: Manchester BID
Sunday 26 November
Where? Manchester Arndale, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street, and Deansgate
What time? 12pm – 7pm
Kicking the series of ‘Festive Sundays’ off in style is a magical takeover across the city centre with giant roaming puppets, street performers, and live music, all accompanied by the vibrant sights and sound of the Fat Cat Brass Band and Bloco Band, who will bring “Christmas cheer and tunes” to the streets of Manchester.
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Sunday 3 December
Where? All across the city centre
What time? From 1pm
The “heartwarming event of the season” returns again this year, and organisers are promising it’ll be “even bigger and better” than last year.
Manchester’s free Christmas Parade will once again bring joy to thousands of spectators, both young and old – with processions of spectacular characters, magical performances, and extraordinary acts weaving their way through the city’s streets to “sprinkling pure festive magic”.
The city streets be filled with “captivating” parades and performances / Credit: Manchester BID
Sunday 10 & 17 December
Where? St Ann’s Square
What time? 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm
Ready to entertain visitors as they sip on their hot chocolates and dig into Yorkshire pudding wraps, the final two Festive Sunday events will see a stunning ‘Toy Procession’ take to Manchester’s iconic Christmas Markets.
Created by Walk the Plank, the procession will feature giant stilt-walking acts of Christmas crackers, sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, Christmas elves, a sparkling fairy mouse, and more, who’ll all bring magical street entertainment to Manchester on the run-up to Christmas Day.
You can line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester
Thomas Melia
After a fun way to kickstart the New Year? Some people might suggest hobbies like ‘Tennis’, but how about a line dancing class playing Lily Allen’s new album in its entirety – we know which we’d rather do.
Grab your nearest ‘Nonmonogamummy’ or take ‘Madeline’, if you know one, because there’s a line dance class where you get to line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester.
Hosted by Red Rodeo Club, a queer line dancing group based in Manchester, who have hosted monthly artist-inspired events city wide including Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and more.
This troupe even managed to line dance all the way to one of Manchester’s most reputable LGBTQIA+ nights of the year, performing on the Archive stage at Homobloc just last month.
Now, Red Rodeo is returning with another special night that is sure to interest all the West Endand North West girls across Manchester, as it prepares a Lily Allen line dance spectacular later this month.
If you’re ‘Ruminating’ about attending this event, there’s absolutely no pressure or dance experience needed as the group prides itself on providing ‘classic boot-scootin tutorials with a party vibe’.
You’ll definitely be in good company regardless of your dance partners, as hosting the event is Violet Blonde, known for their extraordinary outfits and love of Country icon Dolly Parton.
We’re already onto a winner…
Your dance instructor for the night is the remarkable Shanika Sunrise, a rapper and producer, who boasts a seriously impressive roster of acts they’ve opened for, including Chappell Roan, Cupcakke and Moonchild Sanelly.
Opportunities like this aren’t always feasible for everyone, which is something this line dance group is aware of as they’re offering a ‘Red Rodeo Club Low Income Ticket’, suited for students, unwaged and disabled attendees.
Red Rodeo Club is bringing the ‘Lily Allen edition’ line dance class to Fairfield Social Club in Manchester on Thursday, 29 January 2026, from 7-10:30pm.
If you’re interested in grapevine stepping or electric shuffling your way to the Lily Allen West End Girl line dance event in Manchester, you can find tickets HERE.
A ‘Bubble Planet Experience’ with giant ball pits and an infinity room is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will soon welcome a ‘dreamlike world’ filled with giant, colourful bubbles, when Bubble Planet Experience makes its Manchester debut.
Expect giant ball pits, giant balloons, floating soap bubbles, and an infinity room in this brand-new-for-us immersive experience.
Bubble Planet Experience has already been visited by more than four million people in cities across the globe, including New York, Los Angeles, and London – now it’s time for its first trip to Manchester, where it’ll pop up inside Depot Mayfield.
Visitors will be able to explore 10 themed rooms, each one offering a different surreal landscape that will ‘blur the boundaries between dream and reality’.
Highlights include the Bubble Ocean, a vast expanse of bubbles designed to evoke calm and serenity, and the Infinity Room, where mirrors and shifting lights create the illusion of endless space.
Underwater Bubbles will transport visitors into a hypnotic aquatic world, recreating the magic and mystery of deep-sea exploration.
An infinity room at Bubble Planet Experience
There’s also a Bubble Dome, where younger visitors can unleash their creativity in a play area, plus the chance to go on a virtual reality adventure.
Expect dazzling light displays, interactive installations, and unexpected textures.
Bubble Planet Experience is co-produced by family entertainment producer Exhibition Hub and Fever.
Hamza El Azhar, CEO of Exhibition Hub, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Bubble Planet to Manchester for the very first time alongside the team at Fever, and to be part of a city with such a strong and celebrated cultural identity.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience a joyful, immersive adventure that sparks curiosity and wonder for all ages.”
The waitlist for early access to tickets is available HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
14th November 2023 
