- Thousands of families lined London’s Regent Street this morning as Hamley’s toy parade trundled through
- Looking to rival Macey’s parade in New York, this was the famous London toy store’s biggest parade to date
- Christmas carnival saw dozens of floats containing popular cartoon characters including Sonic the hedgehog
Watch out Macey’s, there’s a new parade giant in town. London’s Regent Street played host to thousands of people this morning as Hamley’s rolled out its most impressive toy parade yet.
Featuring cheery elves, a children’s marching band and more cartoon characters than you could shake a striped candy cane at, the toy store is clearly hoping some of the Sunday morning cheer will translate into pre-Christmas sales.
Giant versions of popular children’s characters thrilled youngsters as they paraded through the streets, with a handful of Minions – from cult kids film Despicable Me, Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam all in attendance.
December’s on its way! 800,000 people are thought to have joined the throng in Regent Street this morning as Hamley’s toy parade rolled into the capital
Tis nearly the season: A jolly bunch of elves sprang to life, delighting fans, as they posed next to a London marching band
Floats featured many of the most popular children’s characters including porcine heroine Peppa Pig. Right: A pair of Minions, from cult kids film Despicable Me, joined up to 400 entertainers on Regent Street
Go large or go home! Hamley’s has beefed up its festive shindig, hoping to mimic Macey’s famous Thanksgiving parade in New York
Have they paid the congestion charge? A Wacky Races car experiences London traffic
Hello Captain Barnacles! A host of CBeebies characters took their own village float, delighting younger fans
Totally Sonic: A certain blue Hedgehog joined the procession down London’s famous shopping street
Young dancers put on a show worthy of the West End. Right: Hamley’s will be hoping its efforts translates into the chime of tills ringing in its famous London store
Hi-jinks: An entertainer blows bubbles on the crowd as a marching band looks on
Toy soldiers representing the historic London store declared the shopping season officially on
Wide-eyed: The Powderpuff girls – based on Japanese anime characters – were all in attendance
Ready for action: Fireman Sam poses in front of London Fire Engine, with the number plate Hot 77