Manchester is no stranger to a giant Santa – we’ve been sticking them up high on the tops of buildings (and other things) since the eighties.
Over the years, though, it’s fair to say that Father Christmas has changed his look somewhat.
Santa’s look has transitioned mightily with the times, from a lithe 80-foot tall Santa scrambling up the Town Hall clock tower in the mid-eighties to the infamous, now-retired bug-eyed ‘Zippy’ – so named for his resemblance to the classic Rainbow children’s TV character.
Our latest giant Santa, meanwhile, boasts a twirling moustache and sits atop a huge, twinkling present.
First unveiled to the city in 2019 at Piccadilly Gardens following a lot of very public heartbreak around the retirement of Zippy, this year the 2.3 tonne festive mascot can be found outside the central library in St Peter’s Square.
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Keep reading to discover how the giant Santas have changed through the years.
Image: Manchester City Council
Image: Manchester City Council
The original giant Santa
Manchester’s original giant Santa was a fixture in the city for over thirty years, pictured here in 1986 astride the Town Hall clock tower with a sack of presents for children slung across his back.
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Caught in the act of clambering over the roof and down into the tower, this early giant Santa set a long-standing tradition in Manchester.
Standing at eighty feet high and fully exposed to the elements, he would often deflate – and was even punctured twice by gargoyles, requiring numerous surgeries to repair his various holes and tears.
Opposite Santa, on the other side of the town hall’s roof, sat his reindeer and sleigh – patiently waiting for him to drop off those presents and return, ready to take flight onto the next house.
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Zippy 2.0 taken in 2005. / Image: Luke Montague on Flickr,
Father Christmas’s reindeer. / Image: Manchester City Council
Santa’s reindeer and sleigh sit atop the roof of the town hall waiting for his return / Image: Manchester City Council
In the early 90s, a new giant Manchester Santa appeared atop the town hall. / Image: Duncan Hull via Flickr
The 90s Santa
In the early 90s, our original giant Santa was considered to be looking a bit sad. He and his reindeers had deflated many times and so the decision was made to replace both him and his trusty steeds with this jolly, rosy-cheeked chap.
A combination of cheerful and marginally terrifying (let’s be honest, he does have a little bit of a manic look to him – like he’s indulged in too much brandy on his midnight rounds) he held out until the mid-noughties, waving down at festive revellers from the roof until ultimately being retired in 2007.
For some reason we’re yet to unravel, not only does he appear to have two moustaches – one black, one white – he’s accompanied by a teddy bear (understandable) and an… aeroplane? Not very environmentally friendly that, Santa.
The one and only Zippy
Enter the man, the myth, the legend. Of course, we’re talking about the best giant Santa of them all: Zippy – nicknamed as such for his likeness to the classic Rainbow children’s TV character.
His weird massive blue eyes, his lack of nose, or mouth, and his cheery white beard made him the most distinct giant Manchester Santa to date. We think actual tears were shed when it was announced he was being retired – and we know there was rejoicing when he reappeared at Kellogg’s following his retirement.
The iconic 6-tonne festive mascot was specially made for Manchester by French company Blachere, who also create light installations for the Trafford Centre shopping mall and Harrods in London.
Illuminated by 100,000 different light bulbs and comprised of a total of 89 different pieces, the council ultimately decided he was too expensive to keep on – as it took three days, a lot of money, a crane and a whole host of people to get him up onto his Albert Square perch each year.
As Councillor Pat Karney, the spokesperson for the Christmas markets, said at the time: “Even giant steel Santas need to retire.”
Still, he managed to steal the thunder of his replacement by reappearing at Kellogg’s before the newcomer could even make his debut.
The giant ‘twirly moustache’ Manchester Santa
When we first heard about old twirly moustache, Pat Karney said he’d be ‘more like Zippy’s dad’ – and we can kind of see it.
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He had some big boots to fill and we think he’s pretty much delivered – although honestly, after the Christmas we had last year, worrying about which giant Santa the council erects in town feels like a problem of days gone by.
The huge LED-lit figure sits at 12-foot high and is covered in low-energy lightbulbs, making him cheaper to run than Zippy. Cutting a smart figure in his red, belted suit, he can be found sitting astride a glittering present in St Peter’s Square throughout the season.
Next time you’re in town pay him a visit, he’s a piece of Mancunian history don’t you know.
Feature image: Manchester City Council / The Manc Group
Christmas
The Oast House’s popular winter teepee is returning this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
The Oast House has confirmed that its popular teepee draped in twinkling lights is set to return for the festive season.
By summer, the central Spinningfields venue is a proper sun-trap, but once winter rolls around, the teepee brings the festive spirit to Manchester just like it has done for the past 13 years, so it’s fair to say that it’s become something of an institution.
And now, with the air getting nippier by the day, The Oast House has given Mancs the news they’ve been waiting for.
That’s right, The Teepee – which is famed for its free live music, house-cooked food, and welcoming atmosphere – is back once again for another year, and it’s set to open for the festive season in just a couple of weeks time.
Complete with two roaring fires, twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws, The Teepee will be made up of four tents joined together to create a huge open hub, complete with a stage area for guests to dance the night away in festive spirit.
It’s all sounding set to be a popular spot for locals and those who’ve finished a hard day at work during the autumn and winter months.
Following a huge summer of festivals in the courtyard, rounding off with the Seed Sounds Weekender last week, The Oast House is set to reopen The Teepee on Monday 13 October, and it’ll then be staying open to festive revellers every day of the week throughout the winter.
The Oast House’s popular winter teepee is returning this Christmas / Credit: The Manc Group
Inside the new lodge, guests can expect to enjoy winter cocktails, mulled wine, and heart-warming food, just in time for the chilly weather.
Favourites from The Oast House’s street food-style menu set to be served up include katsu chicken fries, Korean fried chicken, chicken or plant-based gyros, and burgers stacked high.
The Teepee will reopen on Monday 13 October, and will then be open every day from 11am until late throughout the winter.
Bookings are now live, so to reserve your table for the festive season, head on over to The Oast House’s website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Christmas
Trafford Centre announces return of its ‘festive wonderland’ grotto this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Now that October is here, you know what that means? We’re really not that far away from the big festive ‘C word’.
Sure, it may still feel like a little bit early to some of you to be talking about Christmas now, but the Trafford Centre is really getting into the seasonal spirit as it has this week announced that its popular grotto experience will be returning next month.
This year, the shopping centre is taking things up a notch too, as The Grotto is described as being a ‘joyful’ and ‘interactive’ adventure where you’ll become part of a magical mission – saving Christmas cheer.
The North Pole’s magic runs on the spirit of Christmas, but something’s gone wrong this time.
According to the Trafford Centre, The Cheer-o-Meter has been malfunctioning and dropping fast, and without a high-enough cheer reading, Santa’s sleigh won’t be able to fly and Christmas deliveries will be grounded – so this is where you all come in.
Visitors’ magical journeys through The Grotto will start at Gingerbread Lane as they write their letters to Santa and get briefed for their mission, all before they then head into the Merrymarker Studio to giggle, shout, and complete in colourful challenges to power up the Cheer-o-Meter.
Then finally, in Santa’s Study, visitors will get to seal their letters and get ready for a magical photo moment, all before meeting Santa himself.
The Trafford Centre has announced the return of its ‘festive wonderland’ grotto this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
“Christmas is our favourite time of year at Trafford Centre, as it’s all about creating unforgettable memories for our guests,” explained Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre.
“The Grotto was a huge success last year, with so many families telling us how magical it felt, so we’re thrilled to welcome it back. Tickets are already in high demand, so book early to ensure your family can experience the wonder of meeting Santa this Christmas.”
To make the experience accessible to all, even more Whispering Winter sessions will also be available this year.
These specially-tailored visits feature softer lighting, quieter music, and fewer visitors to create a calm and inclusive environment for every child to enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Tickets to The Grotto at the Trafford Centre are now on sale and selling fast – with prices starting from £27, plus booking fee for children (including a Christmas gift), and £9.50 plus booking fee for adults.