Manchester Christmas Parade - route, times, map and BIG surprise for December return

Manchester's magical Christmas Parade will be back on Sunday, December 3, and this year will have an extended route with extra special surprises. The countdown is now on for the return of the FREE festive extravaganza which wowed families on its first ever outing last year.

Filled with all the sights, sounds and sparkle that spell Christmas, the magical parade - plus an appearance from a very special guest - is guaranteed to bring some extra special Christmas cheer to the city as the festive season gets well underway. Manchester Council bosses say it will be "bigger and even better than last year" with over 400 participants.

The parade will also take an extended route so there's more chances for people to wave on the colourful participants. It will weave its way through the city centre from 1pm on Sunday, December 3.

READ MORE: Christmas events for families in Manchester and things to do with kids this festive season

READ MORE: Santa's grottos and places to see Father Christmas in and around Greater Manchester

The route will begin at Manchester Cathedral before heading out along Deansgate. It will then turn onto St Ann's Street past the Manchester Christmas Markets and on to Cross Street, Corporation Street and Fennel Street, where the parade will end.

As to what visitors can expect? Think Snow Queens, Bouncing Elves and sparkling Christmas Glitter Belles, with an extra sprinkle of Candy Cane stilt walkers, Giant Nutcracker characters and Dancing Snowmen, all taking to the city streets.

There's also the prospect of huge Reindeer, Owls and Festive Dinosaurs, as well as everyone's Christmas dinner favourite Dancing Sprouts. Of course, no Christmas parade would be complete without the big red man himself and Santa