Manchester Christmas Parade and Market

1 Days from just £32.00

Witness Manchester's magical Christmas Parade - the heart-warming and feel-good event of the Christmas season. Over 400 participants are due to take part in a joyous promenade through the city centre, sprinkling pure festive magic all along the way. 

With live music bringing the sounds of the season and colourful dancers at every turn, the parade loops through the city, starting and finishing at Manchester Cathedral. Keep an eye out to see if some of the stars of past years parades return - the Elf Express (a spectacular train with carriages full of elves), the Aurora Borealis Stilt Walkers, toe-tapping Hip-Hop Elves or the beautiful airborne puppetry of Cloud Travellers Nimbus and Cumulus, who cast magical raindrops from their illuminated clouds. 

Of course, it wouldn't be the Manchester Christmas Parade without the return of everyone's favourite, the enchanting Snow Queen, who mesmirises all as she sits in her giant snow globe and glides through the streets of the city. 

Alongside the parade are the Manchester Christmas Markets. Spread across 9 individual city centre sites - each with its own distinctive character - Manchester Christmas Markets is one of the biggest festive markets in the UK. Operating since 1999, the markets attract over 200 stalls, there's something for every festive visitor. 

Explore a wide variety of handmade craft and gift stalls - with occassional breaks for some delicious festive food and drink - surrounded by some of Manchester's most beautiful architecture. It's expected that 2025 will see the return of the designated family site with fun rides and entertainment including LED light performers, magicians and street theatre.