The city’s free festive parade returns this weekendThe Manchester Christmas Parade takes place this weekend.The Manchester Christmas Parade takes place this weekend.(Image: Manchester City Council)

Manchester City Council has released details of the road closures that will be in place this weekend as the city’s festive celebrations continue with the annual Christmas Parade.

Now in its fourth year, the free family-friendly event has been a festive favourite with Mancunians since first taking place in the city centre in December 2022. This year’s procession will start and finish at Manchester Cathedral, setting off at 1pm and taking the following route: Manchester Cathedral – Victoria Street – Deansgate – John Dalton Street – Cross Street – Market Street – St Mary’s Gate – Victoria Street – Manchester Cathedral.

Details of the road closures, changes to the Metrolink timetable and on-street parking suspensions which are necessary in order for the parade to safely go ahead, are listed below:

Road closures

Sunday 7 December

8am to 5pm

  • Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
  • Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)

11am to 3pm

  • Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel Street to Deansgate)
  • Deansgate (Victoria Street to John Dalton)
  • John Dalton (Southgate to Clarence Street)
  • Cross Street (John Dalton to Corporation Street)
  • Market Street (Cross Street to Exchange Street)
  • St Mary’s Gate (Exchange Street to Deansgate)

11am to 6pm

  • St Ann’s Street (Deansgate to Cross Street)

Parking Suspensions

From 6pm on Saturday, 6 December, to 5pm on Sunday, 7 December:

  • Victoria Street (Deansgate to Cathedral Approach)
  • Cateaton Street (Deansgate to Exchange Square)
  • St Ann’s Street ( Deansgate to Cross Street)
  • Deansgate (Victoria Street to John Dalton Street)
  • John Dalton (King Street West to Clarence Street)
  • Cross Street (John Dalton Street to Corporation Street)
  • Market Street (Cross Street to St Mary’s Gate)
  • St Mary’s Gate (Market Street to Deansgate)
  • St James Square (John Dalton to South King Street)
  • King Street West (Deansgate to Bridge Street)
  • St Mary’s Street (Southgate to Deansgate)
  • Ridgefield (King Street to End)
  • South King Street (Cross Street to Deansgate)
  • Tib Lane (Essex Street to End)
  • Clarence Street (Kennedy Street to Princess Street)
  • King Street (Essex Street to Cross Street)
  • Princess Street (Cross Street to Cooper Street)

Bus Lane Suspensions

From 8am to 8pm on Sunday 7 December:

  • Deansgate
  • Princess Street
  • King Street

Taxi Ranks

These streets are inaccessible between 11am to 2pm on Sunday 7 December:

  • Cross Street (outside Royal Exchange)
  • Cross Street (outside Timpsons)
  • King Street West (outside House of Fraser)
  • Deangate (outside KFC)
  • St Mary’s Gate (North and South Side)
  • Blackfriars (outside Tree House Hotel)

Trams

To ensure the parade can pass safely through the streets of Manchester, tram services will not stop at Exchange Square between 12pm and 2.30pm. Trams will instead divert via Market Street and Shudehill.

Members of the public coming in to watch the parade are advised to plan their journey in advance and to use public transport where possible. For information on how to travel by public transport to watch the parade, click here.

Find out more information about the Manchester Christmas Parade.