Tens of thousands turn out for this year's sun-baked parade
On what was the hottest day of the year so far, tens of thousands took to the streets of the city centre on Sunday for this year's sun-baked Manchester Day parade.
Lead by a 22-balloon tribute to those who lot their lives during last month's terror attack at Manchester Arena, the 20,000 strong procession formed by more than 80 community groups - from bagpipers to Bollywood dancers, firefighters to fire-breathers - weaved their way along the route from Castlefield to Exchange Square, down Deansgate and through Albert Square.
The theme this year was ABRACADABRA!, with principal floats featuring such whimsical creatures as the Keralan deity Theyyam, a towering blue genie and a fiery Minotaur. There were even a few Suffragettes, who, though less fanciful, were no less magical in their endeavour.
Though the magic of this year's parade wasn't displayed solely by this cavalcade of colourful characters, but also by everybody present who, in troubling times, refuse to allow fear or anger defeat their spirit, but instead come together in this mass celebration of cultural difference and collective unity.
Now that, Manchester, is magic.
Here's our favourite photos from Manchester Day 2017:
