Teletubbies, traffic cones and nuns all braved the bitter cold as they stood in line. Mario and Luigi stepped out of a taxi and headed into the night, next to a group of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here campmates.
It might sound surreal, but it was just another Boxing Day in Wigan. Hundreds of revellers poured into the town centre for the 44th annual Boxing Day fancy dress party.
Megan Aaron, 19, had dressed as a police officer with pal Ella Hanson, 19. "It only happens in Wigan, you have to come," she said.
"It's tradition. People come down from everywhere to come here on Boxing Day."
There was anticipation in the air for a big night ahead as the first few groups of mates descended on the town centre on Boxing Day evening. "It's good, it's always dead packed," said Ella.
Rain and hail battered the town early on in the evening, but it refused to spoil Wiganers' dedication to their fancy dress. Many had planned their look for weeks in advance.
The colourful occasion is becoming almost as synonymous with Wigan as pies, with the event now well into its fifth decade. Multiple generations of families have passed down the fun tradition.
Ellie Salmon, 19, was 'excited' on her first time out for the occasion. She said: "My mum loved it, she said she's coming next year."
Donning Minion glasses and wearing bright yellow, David Barton came to town carrying a banana. He explained that bananas were the food of Minions and he wanted to play the part in full.
"I'm 66 and I'm getting on but I thought I'll still go for it," said David. "It's a pleasure to go out and enjoy yourself."
Back in 2020, the 42nd Boxing Day party was curbed due to the pandemic, with an online event streamed instead. Revellers returned to King Street last year amid the outbreak of omicron, but even more were expected to head out into town this year.
After 8pm, more of King Street's popular venues opened their doors, and the crowds began to grow as the night wore on. A woman dressed as a crab, who asked not to be named, quipped: "How could you not be absolutely buzzing for this?"
Declan Ashcroft and Mark Howarth made a last-minute costume choice, arriving in Wigan as a pair of whoopee cushions. "We wanted Mario and Luigi but we found two whoopee cushions," Mark said.
"I thought, best mons here in whoopee cushions, wouldn't we?" With the hours ticking down towards midnight, more partygoers continued to pour onto King Street ready to enjoy themselves in bonkers outfits, and the fun is set to carry on well into the early hours.
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