This weekend sees the return of the family festive favourite the Manchester Christmas Parade, which will make its way through the city's streets this Sunday 8 December.
This year's unmissable parade - now in its third year - will see over 400 participants taking part in a fabulously fun-filled promenade through the city, sprinkling pure festive magic along the way.
Bigger and even better than ever, the parade will set off from Manchester Cathedral at 1 pm, following a route that takes in Deansgate, John Dalton Street, Cross Street, Market Street and St Mary's Gate before turning back onto Deansgate and ending at the cathedral.
With live music bringing the sounds of the season and colourful dancers at every turn, the centre-piece of this year's parade is sure to be Manchester's very own Elf Express - a spectacular train with carriages full of elves that will be making a special stop in Santa's favourite city on its way to Santa's workshop in the North Pole.
Look out too for the Mistletoe dancing mice, Christmas horse-riding Elves on stilts, an oversized Polar Bear with playful giant paws and Christmas Robins, or the Aurora Borealis Stilt Walkers, Robot Drummers and toe-tapping Hip Hop Elf.
And check out Ski Sunday as one-of-a-kind segway skiers swoop and slide along the parade route, donned in vibrant retro ski gear, complete with cheeky personalities and blasting out 80s tunes and festive Christmas classics, creating an illusion of downhill fun in a flurry of entertainment!
Prepare also to be amazed by the spellbinding and beautiful airborne puppetry of Cloud Travellers Nimbus and Cumulus who from their illuminated clouds cast magical raindrops from the tips of their fingers, and enjoy a singalong with Elton Wrong piano man as he rides along on his portable stadium stage whilst playing the piano and crooning his way through his top ten of pop hits and show tunes.
And of course it wouldn't be the Manchester Christmas Parade without the return of everyone's favourite, the enchanting Snow Queen mesmerising all as she sits in her giant snow globe gliding through the city streets.
Watch out also on the day for plenty of pop-up festive fun around the parade route - including a Christmas crafting marquee for children outside Marks and Spencer on Market Street that will see children invited to get crafting and be in with a special chance of joining Father Christmas' band of mischievous elves and walk with them in the parade.
Another extra-special treat is also in store this year to help celebrate the return of the magical Manchester Christmas Parade with over a thousand free festive hot drinks on offer to help spread a little more Christmas cheer.
On Manchester's very own 'Santa Sunday', the first 1500 people to pay a visit ahead of the parade to the Christmas Grotto in the Royal Exchange Arcade, dressed head-to-toe as Santa or at least sporting a Santa hat, will be given a voucher for a hot chocolate winter-warmer from our world-famous Christmas Markets.
To be in with a chance of a free hot choc - while stocks last - Santa wannabes must present themselves between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm with a ho-ho-ho to (the real) Santa's team of mischievous cheeky elves at the Grotto, who will be playing around getting everyone in the festive spirit. Adding to the seasonal cheer will be The Royal Exchange
Manchester Christmas Choir who will be performing at various times throughout the morning in the Arcade, which runs between Cross Street and St Ann's Square.
Arrive early for the Manchester Christmas Parade and from 12:30 pm those same cheeky elves will also be making mischief along the parade route to get everyone smiling as they help spread a little extra Christmas fun, with goodies and giveaways galore ahead of the parade at 1 pm.
The city council has worked with a range of partners including outdoor arts organisation Walk the Plank, Global Grooves, Handmade Parade, and Fools Paradise to help make sure this year's Manchester Christmas Parade is the best yet. "This year's parade is going to be amazing. Grab your Christmas hats and some tinsel and come and join us!"
Councillor Pat Karney said: "We just can't wait to welcome everyone back again for our fabulous family festive favourite Manchester Christmas Parade. It's Manchester at its magical best and sure to get everyone smiling and in the Christmas spirit.
"Putting the parade together really is a big team effort and we couldn't do any of this without all our amazing magic-making event partners and others across the city who work with us to help us put on a spectacular show. A big thank you to them for this and also to transport bosses and GMP who work hard with us to help keep everyone moving and everyone safe.
"This year's parade is going to be amazing. Grab your Christmas hats and some tinsel and come and join us!"
This year's Manchester Christmas Parade will start at 1 pm and follow a route that starts and ends at Manchester Cathedral. It is expected to last approximately an hour from start to finish.
Manchester Cathedral - Victoria Street - Deansgate - John Dalton Street - Cross Street - Market Street - St Mary's Gate - Deansgate - Victoria Street - Manchester Cathedral
Accessible viewing points will be available in two locations:
Accessible viewing area 1
Extended lay-by outside Roxy Ball Room and Be At One venues on Deansgate.
Accessible viewing area 2
Benches outside Boots on Cross Street.
This year's Manchester Christmas Parade has also been sponsored by Rosgal Ltd.
Kerry Breheny, Director of Rosgal Ltd, said: "Founded in Manchester 25 years ago, we're proud to support the city during the festive season. As a local business working on major infrastructure projects across the region, we’re committed to giving back to the community and making this Christmas memorable for families across Manchester."
'Santa Sunday' has been supported by Manchester Business Improvement District and the Royal Exchange Manchester, in partnership with Manchester Christmas Markets.
More information about the parade and Christmas in Manchester here