He's back! Father Christmas returns to St Peter's Square for 2024

He's back in his place and here to dazzle the city. Father Christmas has returned to St Peter's Square as Manchester kicks its festive celebrations up a gear.

'Big Santa' was lifted into position outside Central Library on Monday afternoon (November 11). A crowd gathered outside to watch as the 12-metre tall structure was put together.

Coun Pat Karney, Manchester City Council's Christmas spokesperson, said: "Santa can't wait to meet the thousands of kids in the city over the next seven weeks. He will probably be photographed about a million times. We want all the youngsters in Manchester to grow up with magical memories of Christmas in the city.

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"It's always the real start of Christmas. I'm only looking at everybody here in St Peter's Square - he's a showstopper. Over the next week the cameras are gonna be on him, he's going to be the most photographed person in Manchester."

The 2.8-tonne Santa was brought to St Peter's Square in five sections. He was put into position on Monday afternoon and lit up as the November skies began to darken.

It's the sixth year the current 'Big Santa' - who is yet to formally adopt a nickname - has been on display, since the much-loved 'Zippy' retired in January 2019. After one Christmas on Piccadilly Gardens in 2019, St Peter's Square has been his festive home since 2020.

Council bosses hope Albert Square could be ready to welcome the Christmas Markets back in 2025 - but it's not yet known whether Father Christmas would follow the crowds, back to 'Zippy's' old perching spot above the Town Hall. "The town hall and myself are working our socks off to get the markets back in Albert Square," said Coun Karney.

"They belong in Albert Square, it's a magical set up in front of the town hall and everyone in Manchester wants them back in Albert Square. We're going to do our best - really, really pull our finger out and see if we can do it."

He added: "[Santa] probably will go back in Albert Square, although he's very popular here because people can take great photographs of him here. We've not made a final decision on it."

Coun Karney says the Christmas markets welcomed a 'record attendance' for the opening weekend this year, while Manchester is also gearing up for a Christmas parade on December 8 which could be 'twice the size of last year'. He added: "Nowhere does Christmas like Manchester, because we all love Christmas."