Manchester city centre will be getting into the Christmas spirit with a series of Festive Sundays in the run up to Christmas 2022. Six consecutive Sundays of sparkling street performances have been planned to delight and surprise families visiting the city centre.
Commissioned and produced by Manchester Business Improvement District, on behalf of the city centre’s leading retailers and hospitality venues, and working in partnership with Manchester City Council, Festive Sundays will see roaming puppets, supersized penguins and illuminated bands take to the city’s main shopping streets, every Sunday from 13th November – 18th December.
The events will create a fun and festive atmosphere for those doing Christmas shopping and enjoying Manchester’s bars and restaurants or visiting the city’s famous Christmas Markets.
The first two Sundays (Sunday 13th November, 1pm – 7pm, and Sunday 20th November, 12pm – 7pm) will see an array of themed roaming performances around the central retail district covering Manchester Arndale, Exchange Square, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street and Deansgate.
Shoppers could see a roaming Snow Globe, Living Lampposts, Mirror Men, Snow Fox Stilt Walkers, Penguins, Crumpet the Elf, and Fat Cat Brass Band. Spark! light-up band, will also be there combining LED lighting with beautiful costumes, choreography, and high impact drumming.
On the middle Sundays (27th November & 4th December, 4-7pm), families can enjoy an illuminating early evening on St Ann’s Square and Deansgate, with enchanting Ghost Caribou – a night-time street act with giant creatures, part caribou, part human who tell their story through music, song, and shadow – and the Spark! light-up band will be back.
The final two Sundays (11th and 18th December) will see Christmas Crackers, Sugar Plum Fairies, Toy Soldiers and a Fairy Mouse taking to the city’s streets around Manchester Arndale, Market Street, St Mary’s Gate, Deansgate, St Ann’s and Cross Street, with Sunday 11th December also including an extra special festive first for Manchester.
(Like all the best Christmas gifts, it’s still under wraps at the moment, with more details set to be revealed very soon, a not-to-be missed city centre Christmas treat for everyone is promised.)
Jane Sharrocks, Manchester BID Chair and General Manager of Selfridges Exchange Square said: “Our festive roaming performers were a such huge hit with visitors last year, that we’re delighted to be able to build on this for 2022, with six consecutive Sundays of enchanting events.
“By working collaboratively with Manchester City Council and the Christmas Markets, Manchester BID’s Festive Sundays will enhance the visitor experience to the city centre this Christmas, particularly for families, who can enjoy everything the city centre has to offer on what is traditionally a quieter day.”
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “Christmas in Manchester is going to be magical this year with the city’s streets and squares stuffed full of free entertainment and things to see and do to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
“We’ve also got an extra special seasonal surprise that we’re keeping under our Christmas hats at the moment but that promises to be a spectacular festive first for Manchester. Watch this space – it’s going to be a cracker!”
For timings and event updates, visit visitmanchester.com/christmas
More information on Manchester Bid can be found at manchesterbid.com
