Thousands turned out to see the Manchester Christmas Parade this weekend
Families turned out in their thousands today to get a glimpse of Manchester's magical Christmas Parade, with the heart-warming event of the season delighting the crowds and bringing an extra dose of Christmas sparkle and cheer to Santa's favourite city.
The city's memory-making parade, which took place for the first time last year, was even bigger and better this year with over 400 participants taking part in a route that weaved its way amongst the Christmas shoppers through the city centre.
Filled with a Christmas stocking-full of magical heart-warming moments the parade delighted the crowds from start to finish - with Snow Queens, Glitter Belles, Bouncing Elves, Dancing Snowmen and Candy Cane stilt walkers interacting with the crowds and putting a smile on everyone's faces, alongside Reindeer, Owls, Festive Dinosaurs, and even Dancing Sprouts!
The parade even saw a special appearance from 'Richard Parker' the life-size Bengal Tiger puppet and star of the hit play Life of Pi which is coming to The Lowry from 5 December to 7 January.
And making sure it was Jingle Bells all the way with live music, moves, and sounds was the Global Grooves Nutcracker Bloco Band playing Santa's favourite Christmas songs to get everyone in the festive mood, along with dancers dressed in their sparkly best Christmas kit.
A Christmas parade wouldn't of course be a parade without the big red man himself Santa Claus - and he did not disappoint, taking time out from his toy-making workshop to bring up the rear of the parade, much to the excitement of all the youngsters who were waiting to catch a glimpse of him.
Following the brilliant reception to both last year's inaugural parade and the parade today, the Manchester Christmas Parade is now set to become a fixture in the city's seasonal calendar.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: "We all know Manchester does Christmas best. Our Christmas markets are legendary and have been the best markets around since they first began 25 years ago, and now we also have our fantastic Manchester Christmas Parade - our newest Christmas tradition in the city.
"After last year's wonderful Christmas parade which was truly the heart-warming event of the season, I really didn't think we could top it, but this year's parade has done just that. Heart-warming, memory-making and magical. Seeing the laughter and joy on the youngsters' faces as they watched it was simply brilliant and made it all worthwhile.
"Bringing families and people together is really what the festive season is all about and today's Christmas Parade is sure to be the stuff of memories for generations of young Mancunians to come.
"Happy Christmas Manchester!"
The festive fun in Manchester continues in the run-up to Christmas with two more fun-filled free Festive Sundays on 10 and 17 December that will see a fabulous Christmas Toy Procession make its way through the Christmas Markets.
Delivered in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District and created by Walk the Plank, the procession will feature giant Christmas Crackers, Sugar Plum Fairies, Toy Soldiers, Christmas Elves and a sparkling Fairy Mouse, bringing more unmissable magic to the city's streets and squares.
Manchester's world-famous Christmas markets are also open until 21 December, with over 225 stalls across nine sites in the city centre selling food, drink, crafts and seasonal gifts.
This year marks a special year for the UK's capital of Christmas as it was exactly 25 Christmases ago that Manchester's first-ever Christmas market took place in 1998.
A quarter of a century later the markets continue to attract Mancunians and visitors alike to the city in their thousands to fill up on the fantastic festive treats on offer.
For more information about Christmas in Manchester visit manchester.gov.uk/christmas