Coca-Cola Christmas truck tracker 2023 — Route revealed as iconic festive tour heads to Portsmouth & Leeds tomorrow
THE COCA-COLA Christmas truck is continuing its festive journey across the UK this week.
The truck will be heading for Portsmouth and Leeds on Saturday.
As with the other dates, the upcoming destinations will be free to attend all the stops apart from those in Belfast and Dublin, where visitors will need to book tickets in advance from Eventbrite.
Coca-Cola has teamed up with the Neighbourly Foundation, a charity which supports local communities.
Read our Coca-Cola Christmas truck tracker live blog below for the latest updates...
‘Good fun’ despite queues, visitors say
One Brit who attended one of Coca-Cola’s Christmas events earlier this month enjoyed her time there, despite long queues.
Jo Stockwell, 46, and her daughter Kelsie, 17, took advantage of the free festive event, too.
Jo said: “We had to queue for about an hour, but it was all free, so you can’t complain.
“The queuing wasn’t enjoyable and my feet are numb, but when we got in there it was good fun.
“I’ve got snow from the snow globe in my hair, and it’ll be in my knickers and everywhere.”
Visitors fume after attending Coca-Cola Christmas truck
It’s safe to say some visitors were less than impressed with Coca-Cola’s visit to Wembley Park on Thursday.
A tourist, who came away with mixed feelings about the event, told they thought the activities didn’t live up to the hype.
She said: “Queuing only for the photos is probably your best option, as there are fewer people waiting on that side – the activities are not, in my opinion, worth the wait.”
Where did the tour stop off in 2022?
In 2022, the tour stopped at the following locations:
- Kent
- Beckton
- Glasgow
- London
- Manchester
- Bristol
- Bradford
- Cardiff
- Leeds
- Wolverhampton
- Coventry
- Sheffield
- Leeds
- Watford
- Baldock
- East Leake
- Edinburgh
Top 10 Christmas hits of 2022
One of the best things about Christmas is all the amazing music we get to listen to.
But what were the most popular Christmas songs of last year?
Well, according to OfficialCharts this is the top ten:
- ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU – MARIAH CAREY
- LAST CHRISTMAS – WHAM!
- FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK – POGUES FT KIRSTY MACCOLL
- MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE – SHAKIN’ STEVENS
- DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS – BAND AID
- IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE – MICHAEL BUBLE
- STEP INTO CHRISTMAS – ELTON JOHN
- SANTA TELL ME – ARIANA GRANDE
- I WISH IT COULD BE CHRISTMAS EVERYDAY -WIZZARD
- ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE – BRENDA LEE
Two new stops revealed as Coca-Cola truck continues its Christmas journey
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck is continuing its journey today, with the drinks brand announcing TWO new stops.
Today, the iconic festive truck will head to Portsmouth and a new location in Leeds.
Here are the exact locations:
- Asda Morley, Howley Park Rd, Morley, Leeds, LS27 0BP
- Gunwharf Quays, Gunwharf Quays House, Portsmouth, PO1 3TZ
Did Coca-Cola invent Santa’s famous red suit?
Santa has been featured in Coke adverts since the 1920s with a jolly fat man in a red coat.
And although many people believe Coca-Cola were the one to dress Santa in red, that iconic outfit dates back much further, many historians believe the colours were inspired by the Bishop of Myra in the 4th Century.
Father Christmas in his red robes dates back as far as 16th century in England during the reign of Henry VIII (though he occasionally wore green). But across the world Santa had been depicted as everything from a tall thin man to a tiny elf man.
When Christmas was cancelled
A wave of ecclesiastical reform at the beginning of the 17th century altered how Christmas was observed in Europe, per the .
Christmas was cancelled as part of Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan armies’ campaign to purge England of decadence after seizing power in 1645.
Charles II was reinstated to the throne in response to popular demand, and the well-liked festival followed.
The English separatists known as the pilgrims, who immigrated to America in 1620, were even more orthodox Puritans than Cromwell.
Where is Lapland?
Lapland is actually part of Finland and is not near the North Pole.
It is however close to the Arctic Circle.
Temperatures in Lapland can drop below -30˚ Celsius in the winter, although don’t worry about visiting Santa as temperatures are normally between -15 and 0˚C in winter.
As the North Pole is so inaccessible Santa sets up an official village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, known as “Santa’s official North Pole residence”.
Two new stops revealed as Coca-Cola truck continues its Christmas journey
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck is continuing its journey tomorrow, with the drinks brand announcing TWO new stops.
Tomorrow, the iconic festive truck will head to Portsmouth and a new location in Leeds.
Here are the exact locations:
- Asda Morley, Howley Park Rd, Morley, Leeds, LS27 0BP
- Gunwharf Quays, Gunwharf Quays House, Portsmouth, PO1 3TZ
‘Good fun’ despite queues, visitors say
One Brit who attended one of Coca-Cola’s Christmas events earlier this month enjoyed her time there, despite long queues.
Jo Stockwell, 46, and her daughter Kelsie, 17, took advantage of the free festive event, too.
Jo said: “We had to queue for about an hour, but it was all free, so you can’t complain.
“The queuing wasn’t enjoyable and my feet are numb, but when we got in there it was good fun.
“I’ve got snow from the snow globe in my hair, and it’ll be in my knickers and everywhere.”
Visitors fume after attending Coca-Cola Christmas truck
It’s safe to say some visitors were less than impressed with Coca-Cola’s visit to Wembley Park yesterday.
A tourist, who came away with mixed feelings about the event, told they thought the activities didn’t live up to the hype.
She said: “Queuing only for the photos is probably your best option, as there are fewer people waiting on that side – the activities are not, in my opinion, worth the wait.”
What prizes could you win?
As part of its Christmas Truck tour, Coca-Cola is offering a slew of prizes to lucky visitors.
These prizes include:
- Festive Christmas Merch
- Christmas Meal Experiences
- Trip to Magical Lapland
You can win prizes with Coca-Cola this Christmas
As part of its festive tour, Coca-Cola is offering some great prizes.
To sign up you’ll first need to get yourself a bottle or can of Coke.
Then, scan the QR code and play the mini-game.
This will earn you gems which can be spent on prizes.
Who founded Coca-Cola?
Dr John Stith Pemberton, a pharmacist from Georgia, was on a mission to create a new alcoholic medicine but after the temperance movement of 1886 – a social movement against the sale and consumption of alcohol – Pemberton began creating non-alcoholic versions of the French Wine Coca.
Following various experiments, Pemberton created a syrup with carbonated water instead of wine.
He then sold his drink as a fountain drink rather than medicine where it went for five cents a glass.
Thinking that the “two Cs would look well in advertising”, Pemberton’s partner Frank M. Robinson suggested calling the drink Coca-Cola.
Even the trademark today is written in Robinson’s unique handwriting.
Where is the Coca-Cola truck today?
Coca-Cola announced it will be in two, yes two, locations with its Christmas today.
The truck will be heading to both Essex and Leeds later this morning.
Here are the locations for today’s events:
- Lakeside, West Thurrock Way, Grays, Essex, RM20 2ZP
- Greene King, Lawnswood Arms, Otley Road, Adel, Leeds, LS16 7PH
Did Coca-Cola invent Santa’s famous red suit?
Santa has been featured in Coke adverts since the 1920s with a jolly fat man in a red coat.
And although many people believe Coca-Cola were the one to dress Santa in red, that iconic outfit dates back much further, many historians believe the colours were inspired by the Bishop of Myra in the 4th Century.
Father Christmas in his red robes dates back as far as 16th century in England during the reign of Henry VIII (though he occasionally wore green). But across the world Santa had been depicted as everything from a tall thin man to a tiny elf man.
When Christmas was cancelled
A wave of ecclesiastical reform at the beginning of the 17th century altered how Christmas was observed in Europe, per the .
Christmas was cancelled as part of Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan armies’ campaign to purge England of decadence after seizing power in 1645.
Charles II was reinstated to the throne in response to popular demand, and the well-liked festival followed.
The English separatists known as the pilgrims, who immigrated to America in 1620, were even more orthodox Puritans than Cromwell.
Coca-Cola ‘synonymous’ with Christmas, brand chief claims
You can’t have Christmas without Coca-Cola, according to the company’s senior brand manager.
Speaking about this year’s Christmas truck tour, Laura Moon said: “Coca‑Cola has always been synonymous with Christmas, particularly the iconic Truck Tour and Holidays Are Coming advert. This year, the magic of Christmas is needed more than ever, and we are excited to bring back our famous truck tour to fans nationwide.
“We’re also extremely pleased to continue our relationship with FareShare and for every person that visits the Truck Tour, we’ll donate the equivalent of a meal on their behalf, supporting those most in need this festive season.”
Where did the tour stop off in 2022?
In 2022, the tour stopped at the following locations:
- Kent
- Beckton
- Glasgow
- London
- Manchester
- Bristol
- Bradford
- Cardiff
- Leeds
- Wolverhampton
- Coventry
- Sheffield
- Leeds
- Watford
- Baldock
- East Leake
- Edinburgh
When was the Coca-Cola truck first created?
The Coca-Cola truck has been an iconic part of our Christmas for as long as most of us can remember.
However, it was first seen in the brand’s 1995 advert and has been a staple ever since.
The brand create an annual advert which signals the start of the festive season for many of us.
Top 10 Christmas hits of 2022
One of the best things about Christmas is all the amazing music we get to listen to.
But what were the most popular Christmas songs of last year?
Well, according to OfficialCharts this is the top ten:
- ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU – MARIAH CAREY
- LAST CHRISTMAS – WHAM!
- FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK – POGUES FT KIRSTY MACCOLL
- MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE – SHAKIN’ STEVENS
- DO THEY KNOW IT’S CHRISTMAS – BAND AID
- IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE – MICHAEL BUBLE
- STEP INTO CHRISTMAS – ELTON JOHN
- SANTA TELL ME – ARIANA GRANDE
- I WISH IT COULD BE CHRISTMAS EVERYDAY -WIZZARD
- ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE – BRENDA LEE
What prizes could you win?
As part of its Christmas Truck tour, Coca-Cola is offering a slew of prizes to lucky visitors.
These prizes include:
- Festive Christmas Merch
- Christmas Meal Experiences
- Trip to Magical Lapland
You can win prizes with Coca-Cola this Christmas
As part of its festive tour, Coca-Cola is offering some great prizes.
To sign up you’ll first need to get yourself a bottle or can of Coke.
Then, scan the QR code and play the mini-game.
This will earn you gems which can be spent on prizes.
Where is Lapland?
Lapland is actually part of Finland and is not near the North Pole.
It is however close to the Arctic Circle.
Temperatures in Lapland can drop below -30˚ Celsius in the winter, although don’t worry about visiting Santa as temperatures are normally between -15 and 0˚C in winter.
As the North Pole is so inaccessible Santa sets up an official village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, known as “Santa’s official North Pole residence”.