Manchester has got a brand-new Giant Santa installation this year – and it’s only bloody Zippy!
The much-loved Christmas mascot disappeared from our city back in 2018 when the restoration of the Manchester Town Hall began, to be replaced by a lighter, moustachioed Father Christmas figure.
But today, Giant Santa has been lifted by crane back into his position outside Manchester Central Library, and Mancs will be delighted to know it’s the haunting blue gaze of Zippy watching over us once again.
It’s not the original Zippy, who really did go into retirement and is sometimes seen sat outside the Kellogg’s factory in Trafford.
But instead, it’s a brand-new interpretation of one of the city’s favourite iterations of our big Santa statue tradition.
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The new character is lit up by more than 20,000 twinkling LED lights and sits atop an enormous Christmas present.
Zippy, who took his nickname thanks to his uncanny likeness to the Rainbow character, will be lit up 24 hours a day, from now until the 12th night in January.
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Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said: “We absolutely love Christmas in Manchester and it simply wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa and his sackful of toys.
“Memories of our big Santas in the city over the years hold a special place in the hearts and minds of many a Mancunian.
“We’ve had at least eight or nine different Santas over the last three decades – each of them loved more or slightly less than the others, depending on who you talk to.
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“But there’s one Santa that people keep coming back to who captivated everyone with his big white beard and snow-white hands and feet – and that’s our famous Zippy Santa who reigned supreme over Albert Square in front of the Town Hall until 2018.
“And that’s why we’re absolutely thrilled to be able to welcome our brand-new Zippy Santa to Manchester to see us through the festive season this year.
“Of course, it goes without saying that he’s got some big Christmas boots to fill, but already people are loving him, and he’s going to be here with us now right through until January at his very twinkly best, bringing an extra dose of sparkle and Manchester Christmas magic to everyone.”
A big Christmas sing-along concert with Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones is coming to Manchester
Emily Sergeant
We know it’s only April, but brace yourselves… we’re about to talk about Christmas.
You are reading today’s date correctly, but whether you can believe it or not, this isn’t an April Fool, as it’s time to get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season because The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long starring much-loved performers and presenters, Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, is heading out on its debut UK tour later this year.
This heartwarming live experience is promising to be an ‘unforgettable’ evening of music, laughter, and Christmas cheer.
Performing in some of the most beautiful cathedrals and venues across the UK, when the concert arrives in Manchester in late November, it’ll be taking over the stunning Manchester Monastery.
On the night, Aled Jones – who is one of the UK’s most iconic voices – will perform some beloved highlights, including his signature rendition of ‘Walking in the Air’, alongside a selection of classic festive carols, and joining him on stage will be Alexander Armstrong, whose rich vocals and natural charm will bring ‘humour, warmth, and festive sparkle’ to every performance.
It may be Aled and Alexander’s show, but audiences are also being told to expect some special surprises along the way too.
As this is a sing-along event, audiences will be invited to put on their favourite Christmas jumper and join in with a joyful mix of traditional Christmas carols and modern festive favourites.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long – UK Tour Dates 2026
Tuesday 24 November – Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre
Sunday 29 November – Manchester Monastery
Tuesday 1 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday 2 December – Durham Cathedral
Thursday 3 December – Bath Forum
Friday 4 December – Guildford G Live
Wednesday 9 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 10 December – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Friday 11 December – York Barbican
Sunday 13 December – Edinburgh Queens Hall
Tuesday 15 December – Birmingham Town Hall
Sunday 20 December – Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion
Monday 21 December – London Union Chapel
The tour kicks off in Llandudno on 24 November and wraps up in London on 21 December – with a stop off here in Manchester on Sunday 29 November.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long is coming to Manchester Monastery on Sunday 29 November, and is expected to capture the true spirit of Christmas, offering a magical evening filled of festive cheer and uplifting songs that everyone can join in with.
Tickets go on general sale tomorrow (Thursday 2 April) at 9:30am, and you can get your hands on them when they go live here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Christmas
Massive festive event dubbed the ‘Glastonbury of Christmas’ is returning to the North West
Daisy Jackson
The North West’s most extravagant festive event, with everything from a frozen skating pond to a snow-covered world filled with elves, will return just outside Greater Manchester this winter.
Dubbed the ‘Glastonbury of Christmas’, LaplandUK recreates the home of Father Christmas himself right outside Greater Manchester.
The event was so popular last year, organisers are expecting more than one million people will join the queue for tickets when they go live this week – with tickets expected to sell out in hours.
Families who book tickets for LaplandUK – which range in price from £60 to £195 – will be greeted by hundreds of elves and other performers in a snow-covered landscape.
You’ll be able to visit the Lapland Toy Factory to make a toy for Santa’s sleigh; decorate gingerbead with Mother Christmas in the Lapland Bakery, as well as skating on a frozen pond and travelling through the Whispering Woods.
Every child leaves LaplandUK with a gift from Father Christmas.
The immersive experience takes around four and a half hours from start to finish, but the magic begins way before – ticket-holders are sent personalised invitation boxes (which you can pop in the freezer for extra magic for the kids).
LaplandUK has invested an additional £30m into its Cheshire site, which is the second location after a long-standing residency in Ascot.
Keeping this impressive festive event running are more than 2000 members of staff across the two sites.
It’s drawn in some very high-profile guests, too, with previous visitors including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Sir Elton John, and the Beckhams.
The Lapland experience is based on eight best-selling books, written by founders Mike and Alison Battle.
LaplandUK will run from 7 November to 24 December 2026, with tickets ranging from £60 to £195.
Tickets for LaplandUK Manchester go on sale from 10am on Friday 27 March HERE, with the waiting room open from 9am.
Daisy Jackson -
12th November 2025 
