A festive first for Manchester is happening this year, with the announcement that our city is holding its first ever Christmas Parade.
The magical parade will be filled with all things Christmas, and will weave its way through the streets of the city centre to bring some extra special Christmas cheer.
Building on the success of the city’s world-famous Manchester Day Parade – which after starting small back in 2010 now regularly sees thousands of people flock to the city to watch it – the inaugural Manchester Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday December 11th.
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Working in partnership with Manchester Business Improvement District and outdoor art experts, including Walk the Plank, Global Grooves, Handmade Parade and others, the city’s first-ever Christmas Parade promises to delight young and old.
With well over 100 parade participants, spectators will see everything from Jacks of Frost and Fairy stilt-walkers, an Arctic Fox, and runaway Christmas Presents, to Cocky Robins, Glowing Gastropods with elf riders, and a never-before-seen Christmas Toy Procession.
Also making a special appearance in the parade will be the Town Hall Clock, wound up and looking its very festive best.
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Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “Nowhere else does a parade quite like Manchester and and we can’t wait to bring the first-ever, not-to-be-missed Manchester Christmas Parade to Santa’s favourite city.
“Of all the places in the world that Santa could have chosen for this magical festive first, Manchester is the obvious choice.
“It’s going to be fabulous and we can’t wait!”
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Jane Sharrocks, Manchester BID Chair and General Manager at Selfridges Exchange Square added: “We’re delighted to be involved in what will be Manchester’s first official Christmas Parade! “As well as being a huge draw for families, it’s also a fantastic headline event for our programme of Festive Sundays which will see sparkling street performers including illuminated bands, roaming puppets, stilt-walkers, supersized penguins and more, take to the city’s main shopping streets for six consecutive Sundays during November and December.”
Starting at 1pm on Sunday December 11th, the Manchester Christmas Parade will head down Deansgate, St Ann’s Street, Cross Street and St Mary’s Gate.
Legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live this summer.
The front woman of the iconic band Fleetwood Mac will take to the stage at the brand new arena – set to open this spring – to the delight of her adoring fans on Tuesday, July 9th.
Nicks will perform in Manchester ahead of her upcoming appearance at BTS in London’s Hyde Park on July 12th.
Speaking about her upcoming show in London, Nicks said: “Anything that draws me back to London – and therefore to England – fills my heart with joy. And to be able to visit and make music… is always a dream come true…”
Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 along with her then partner and fellow Mac band member, Lindsey Buckingham.
She introduced to the band her distinctive voice, poetic songwriting, and captivating stage presence, winning over the love of audiences worldwide.
Her impact on Fleetwood Mac’s success during the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly with the release of the highly acclaimed album Rumours, solidified her as a musical powerhouse.
This record sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it the 5th best-selling album of the 1970s and the 9th best-selling album of all time.
Beyond her contributions to Fleetwood Mac, Nicks has had a significant solo career that further cements her enduring influence.
Hits including ‘Edge of Seventeen’ and ‘Stand Back’ showcase her versatility and unique style.
Her ability to transcend musical boundaries, coupled with her trailblazing role as a woman in rock, has inspired generations of artists.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019, Stevie Nicks continues to be celebrated not only for her musical prowess but also as a symbol of resilience and creativity in the ever-evolving musical landscape.
Co-op members will be first in line for tickets at Co-op Live before they go on general sale, including other exclusive benefits – get signed up HERE.
Co-op member presale tickets go live at 12pm on March 20th
General sale tickets go live at 12pm on March 22nd.
LEGO is set to host a series of FREE interactive workshops in Greater Manchester next month.
From next month, youngsters who love to build things with Lego can take part in the workshops held at the LEGO Toy Shop in Manchester Arndale and LEGO Store at the Trafford Centre, as part of a new campaign aimed at championing and standing up for girls’ creativity.
The LEGO Group wants to encourage kids across Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK to ‘play unstoppable’.
The first in-person ‘Creativity Workshops’ are set to kick start in Greater Manchester for the last two Sundays of April.
The workshops will be held on Sunday April 21st and 28th – with online options available for those who are unable to make it in person.
Aimed at young creators aged 6-12, the workshops are focused on themes such as Entertainment, Space, Imagination and Gaming.
Here, young creators can ‘celebrate their star power’ by building a photo frame to display a picture of an achievement, friends and family, or anything they wish to celebrate. Other builds include a name sign, jewellery stand and more.
Staff at the stores will be on hand to help and guide children as they use their imaginations and build away.
For those children who are unable to make the workshops in-person, there will also be online workshops as part of the ‘Creativity at Home’ series – with the first ones set to be hosted by Strictly’s Dianne Buswell.
These are all about ‘fun and entertainment and decorating your room’ to reflect a piece of you.
The celebrity professional dancer will show children and show families how to create fun LEGO builds to decorate their home with.
Tickets to the workshops are FREE, but make sure to book them in advance on the LEGO as they are expected to be snapped-up fast. For tickets, click HERE.
The online Creativity at Home workshops are available now at www.LEGO.com/Creativity-Workshops.
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Stockport is set to host a free-to-attend cultural weekender filled with parades, workshops, comedy, live music, theatre and much, much more.
The town will be hosting a huge celebration this month as residents can come together for a two-day, fun-packed weekend of cultural festivities and access to must-visit venues, free of charge.
The Stockport Town of Culture Weekender promises fun all ages can enjoy, with more than 50 events lined up across 25 locations.
Taking place over the weekend of March 23rd and 24th, the Town of Culture Weekender will showcase the incredible variety of culture and creativity happening in Stockport.
Marking the end of its Greater Manchester Town of Culture status with a bang, visitors will be encouraged to explore new spaces while enjoying an event programme packed with live music, art, comedy and history.
Some of the fantastic events visitors can expect include Carnival of the Animals parade, live music, comedy acts, music, theatre and dance performances, sports workshops, gardening, crafts, history tours, free entry to local venues and more.
The newly opened centre park – a lush greenspace built on the rooftop of the town’s brand new transport interchange – which will play host to several activities planned across the weekend.
Music and dance will also be showcased at venues including Merseyway Shopping Centre, AMP, Petersgate Tap, Magnet, Spinning Top and the Market Place.
Meanwhile, Stockport Library will be providing all the fun for the little ones with a Bluey Day, featuring games and crafts based on the popular animated series.
A series of walks, tours and activities will also take place across the weekend, including a Hatting Walk and Stockport Music Walk, taking visitors on a fascinating journey through the town’s heritage.
The War Memorial Gallery will also be hosting the Stockport Rising Exhibition, showcasing the works of five local celebrated artists.
For those who are interested in exploring the town’s many attractions, many will be offering free entry for all, including the newly re-opened Hat Works Museum, Air Raid Shelters and Stockport Museum.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “It will be wonderful to celebrate the end of our town of culture year with such a big extravaganza in the town centre, with so much to keep the whole family entertained.
“We hope this event will showcase just what we have achieved this year. It’s been wonderful to see residents and visitors enjoying all we have to offer culturally as a borough, whether going to an event or exhibition, shopping in the town centre or one of our district centres or enjoying a bite to eat.
“With help from everyone who has helped organise Town of Culture, we have facilitated and created a positive impression of the borough and a lasting legacy of creativity in the arts with Stockport Makes and Stockport Sounds, the ways in which we’ve helped residents get active with Stockport Moves and the wonderful cuisine we have on offer with Stockport Tastes.”
“We’ve shown that Stockport is on the up and the place to be, now and in the future,” he added.
Councillor Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council, said: “There will be so much to see and do over the Stockport Town of Culture Weekender.
“So, save the date and make your way to the Town Centre to enjoy all the fun with your friends and family as we bring the curtain down on a fantastic year in Stockport with the Town of Culture Weekender.”