Manchester city centre to host free 'Festive Sundays' events during the Christmas season

Roaming performers, live music acts and giant puppets will take to the streets

By Natalie Rees | 14 November 2023

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Performers in Manchester city centre surprise and delight Christmas shoppers at the launch of Festive Sundays, six weeks of sparkling performances taking place in the central retail district each Sunday, until December 18th.

Picture date: Sunday November 13, 2022. Festive Sundays has been commissioned and produced by Manchester Business Improvement District in partnership with Manchester City Council. Visitors and shoppers will enjoy an array of festive themed acts including a roaming Snow Globe, Living Lampposts, Mirror Men, Snow Fox Stilt Walkers, Penguins, Crumpet the Elf, Fat Cat Brass Band and Spark! light-up band - combining LED lighting with beautiful costumes, choreography, and high impact drumming. Photo credit should read: James Speakman/PA Wire.

Manchester city centre is set to be transformed into a magical winter wonderland for a series of weekend events over the holiday season.

Festive Sundays will see roaming performers, illuminated acts and live music artists take to the shopping streets across the city, at locations including St Ann’s Square, King Street, Exchange Square and the Arndale.

From giant puppets and street performers to snow globes, mystical walking trees and living lampposts, acts will delight Christmas shoppers each Sunday before the big day.

The takeover will also see the Fat Cat Brass Band and Bloco Band spread festive cheer, by playing Christmas songs on the streets of the city to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

3 December also marks the welcome return of Manchester’s free Christmas Parade, featuring a procession of spectacular characters weaving their way through the streets.

Whilst on Sundays 10 and 17 December, St Ann’s Square will play host to a toy procession, created by outdoor arts collective Walk The Plank. Think giant stilt-walkers, sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, Christmas elves and a sparkling Christmas fairy mouse.

Organised by Manchester City Council, Manchester Markets and BID, you can grab specific dates and times of this year’s events by clicking here.