![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Big-Santa-in-St-Peters-Square.jpg\")
The people’s favourite Zippy has returned to Manchester after a six year break(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\nAs Mariah Carey once famously said: It’s time!<\/p>\n
16:17, 12 Nov 2025Updated 18:13, 12 Nov 2025<\/p>\n
The people’s favourite Zippy has returned to Manchester after a six year break(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n
A new giant Santa has been unveiled this year – and he\u2019s now up and in place in the city centre<\/a> ahead of the festive celebrations.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, it was announced that the 12ft Santa that has been a staple in the city since 2019 would be replaced<\/a>. The \u2018Manchester Giant Santa\u2019 on top of Central Library<\/a> itself replaced the traditional favourite of \u2018Zippy\u2019, who was a mainstay himself for a number of years.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Santa, which is also located at Central Library due to the ongoing restoration of the Town Hall<\/a>, is quintessentially Zippy. In fact, many might not be able to tell him apart from the original.<\/p>\n Last month, Council Christmas<\/a> spokesperson Pat Karney teased that this year\u2019s new Santa would be \u2018from the Zippy family\u2019, which left fans curious to see how the design would incorporate the long-missed festive favourite.<\/p>\n Join our Christmas in Manchester WhatsApp group <\/strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n This version, which has also been created by original designers Blachere, is more sustainable. It’s made from by 100% recycled aluminium, alongside recycled components and electricals.<\/p>\n Six months in the making, and taking three days to put in place, the display – hailed as the younger brother of Zippy – features 20,000 LED lights and its a lot lighter than its original namesake. He will be lit up 24 hours a day, all day every day, from now until January 12.<\/p>\n “Memories of our big Santas in the city over the years hold a special place in the hearts and minds of many a Mancunian,” Manchester’s Christmas spokesperson Pat Karney said. “We’ve had at least eight or nine different Santa’s over the last three decades – each of them loved more or slightly less than the others, depending on who you talk to.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n The original Zippy, which weighed 2.3 tonnes, was retired back in 2019 and replaced with a 12-foot Santa, which was covered in low-energy lightbulbs. He was described as being more like \u2018Zippy\u2019s dad\u2019, with some small resemblances to the bug-eyed Zippy.<\/p>\n Before Zippy, many people will also remember the sprawling Santa from the 90s which climbed above the Town Hall. He himself was retired back in 2007.<\/p>\n The arrival of Santa comes just days after Manchester’s beloved Christmas Markets<\/a> have returned to the city. This year’s markets, which have been hailed as the biggest and best to date, feature around 270 stalls dotted across ten sites.<\/p>\n Alongside the likes of the usual Bratwurst and Mulled Wine on offer, there’s also the unique additions this year<\/a> of loaded hash browns, French toast, and pouring chocolate pots.<\/p>\n The majority of the markets will be running this year until December 22 – with the base at Albert Square and the ice skating rink at Cathedral Gardens remaining open until January 4. Santa will be on display at Central Library until January 12.<\/p>\n![\"Zippy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762980676_251_0_Big-Santa-in-St-Peters-Square.jpg\")
Zippy Santa will be lit up every day until January 12(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n![\"Zippy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762980678_398_0_Big-Santa-in-St-Peters-Square.jpg\")
Zippy has returned to Manchester after a six year break(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n![\"Tony,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762980679_559_0_Big-Santa-in-St-Peters-Square.jpg\")
Tony, from Blachere Illuminations, who have been behind the new and improved Zippy(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1762980680_809_0_Big-Santa-in-St-Peters-Square.jpg\")
The display is made from recycled materials and features around 20,000 LED lights(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n