The rise and fall of Manchester’s iconic santas through the decades

For nearly four decades, Manchester’s Christmas season wasn’t truly underway until a giant Santa appeared in Albert Square.

Towering over the festive hustle and bustle, this larger-than-life figure became a cherished tradition, delighting generations with his ever-changing looks.

His most beloved form—nicknamed Zippy for his resemblance to the cheeky character from Rainbow—was an icon in his own right, reigning as the city’s unofficial herald of the holidays.

But in 2019, Manchester’s Zippy bid farewell, sold off by the council and replaced by a new Santa in St. Peter’s Square.

As we reflect on this bittersweet goodbye, let’s take a nostalgic journey through the decades, celebrating the rise and evolution of Manchester’s iconic Father Christmas.

A fixture in Manchester for nearly thirty years, the city’s first Santa was an 80-foot inflatable figure who clung to the side of the clock tower as if his life depended on it. 

Installed in the mid-eighties, he lasted six years, undergoing numerous surgeries during his reign to repair his many holes. 

He would often deflate, and was even punctured twice by gargoyles – the stony little grinches. Perhaps they didn’t like him stealing their Christmas thunder. 

And on the other side of the town hall, above the mayor’s apartment roof, sat his trusty reindeer.

They, too, suffered the indignity of numerous deflations over the years.

Looking tired and worn out, the decision was made to replace Santa and his reindeer in the early ’90s with this rosy-cheeked fella.

Managing to look both cheerful and terrifying at the same time, he watched over the city’s festive celebrations from the town hall roof for many years.

Photos show him waving down at revellers from the town hall roof as they enjoyed the Christmas markets.

That is until he, too, was retired in 2007. 

Enter Zippy, possibly the most beloved of all our Santas yet.

Weighing a staggering six tonnes, he was made especially for his home on Albert Square by French company Blachere.

Blachere also produces Christmas lights and decorations to illuminate the Trafford Centre shopping mall and Harrods in London. 

Composed of 89 different pieces and illuminated by 100,000 LED light bulbs, putting him together was no easy feat. It took three days, a lot of money and plenty of manpower. 

So in August, the council announced they would be putting him up for sale – despite having given him a full refurb just two years prior in celebration of his tenth birthday. 

As the council’s city centre spokesman Pat Karney said at the time: “Even giant steel Santas need to retire.”

But when the news broke that Manchester’s favourite festive mascot was being served his notice, many were devastated. 

THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING 😭💔

Manchester’s ‘Zippy’ Santa attraction to be sold off https://t.co/VESiprTmZ1

— Kev Robinson (@KevsXe) August 8, 2019

Santa has now returned, pride of place outside of Manchester Central Library.

How do you think the new boy measures up to all of his various iterations across the years?

He’s certainly got some big boots to fill.

Merry Christmas everyone – with love from everyone at I Love MCR.