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...
Where did the truck stop this weekend?
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck spent the weekend in Watford and Milton Keynes.
Before that, the Christmas event spent the evening in Basildon.
The next stop has not been announced yet but the truck is seemingly working its way to London.
Coca-Cola Christmas Prizes (3)
Grand Prize Draw – 1 prize each week, 5 in total
All entries into either the instant win OR weekly draw also go into the grand prize draw, and there are 5 trips for two to Lapland to be won (one winner each week).
The prize includes flights, 3 nights accommodation at Hotel Santa Claus, in the Apukka resort in Lapland from 18th – 21st January 2024. Excursions to Snowman World, snowmobiling, husky farm, reindeer farm and Santa’s office are included.
You can only win one of each prize type per person.
Coca-Cola Christmas Prizes (2)
Weekly Prize Draws – 4 prizes each week, 20 in total across 5 weekly draws
- Christmas Trip to London (train travel and overnight hotel stay for 2 with a Great British Roast Class)
- Perfect Christmas Table (Xmas dinner ingredients for 8 plus tableware and accessories)
- Christmas Dinner Voucher (£300 to spend at any retailer)
- Christmas Hamper – includes chocolates, spreads, treats and a family trivia game
Coca-Cola Christmas Prizes (1)
Here’s what’s up for grabs in the Coca-Cola giveaway:
Instant Win prizes – 2210 in total:
- 400 x Coca Cola branded baubles.
- 1600 x Pairs of Coca Cola branded festive socks
- 10 x £100 Food delivery vouchers
- 50 x £20 Food delivery vouchers
- 150 x £10 Food delivery vouchers
What are the names of Santa’s reindeer?
Santa originally had eight reindeer.
But in 1939 Rudolph came onto the scene to make nine.
The little reindeer helping Santa make his journey are called:
- Dasher
- Dancer
- Prancer
- Vixen
- Comet
- Cupid
- Donner
- Blitzen
- Rudolph
Fans disappointed over queues
Families on a fun day out to see the Coca-Cola truck were left disappointed having to wait hours.
Dad David Gilmour, 60, said he was “underwhelmed” by the Coca Cola truck, which parked up near the White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds.
He told The Sun: “We were expecting so much more after an hour’s wait.”
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.
“I heard about the Coca Cola truck coming here on Facebook, so we thought we’d come down.
“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.”
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.”
Local man launched petition to bring the Coca-Cola Christmas truck to town
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck can't visit every town, inevitably leaving some Brits disappointed.
Last year, locals in Lancashire and Cumbria fumed over being skipped six years in a row and others in Scotland vented about the limited number of stops.
But in 2017, student David Marks took it one step further by launching a petition to get the truck to stop in Plymouth.
Online, he wrote: “Why has Plymouth been forgotten? I’m disgusted. We are [a] city and should not be forgotten.”
David said he would contact his local MP and his petition received fewer than 100 signatures.
Not quite the mass movement he'd hoped for...
Coca-Cola truck 'banned' in county by health chief
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck has been "banned" in Cumbria, leaving locals heartbroken.
The truck is well into its tour, which began on November 23, and some Brits have branded the decision to ban the truck "ridiculous."
Director of public health, Colin Cox, said the sugary drink was "without a doubt" part of the region's childhood obesity problem.
Mr Cox said he "stands by" comments made in 2017 when he lambasted the company's use of the festive season to promote the fizzy beverage.
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
The journey so far...
It's been a tour remember, but it isn't over yet, so here are all the Coca-Cola Christmas truck stops so far:
- Glasgow (November 23 and 24)
- Edinburgh (November 25)
- Gateshead (November 26)
- Leeds (November 30)
- Dublin (November 30 to December 3)
- Liverpool (December 1)
- Sheffield (December 1)
- Manchester (December 2)
- Rushden (December 2)
- Sheffield (December 3)
- Baldock (December 3)
- Belfast (December 8 to 10)
- Basildon (December 8)
- Milton Keynes (December 10)
- Watford (December 10)
Discover your inner Santa with Coca-Cola
Take Coca-Cola's Christmas quiz to discover your inner Santa Claus.
The drink brand's campaign this year is all about the world needing more Santas.
So, why not find out which kind of Santa you'd be with their quiz - .
What can you do at the Christmas truck stops?
There will be multiple activities for people to participate in at the events.
Coca-Cola will offer a range of interactive experiences for visitors to immerse themselves in festive fun.
Guests will be welcomed by a walk-in, snow-filled bauble, inviting families to step into a winter wonderland for the perfect holiday snapshot.
Those attending the events will also have an opportunity to win a selection of prizes including meal-inspired rewards and recycled Christmas tree decorations.
Where did the truck stop this weekend?
The Coca-Cola Christmas truck spent the weekend in Watford and Milton Keynes.
Before that, the iconic Christmas event spent the evening in Basildon.
The next stop has not been announced yet but the truck is seemingly working its way to London.
Exciting!
What are the names of Santa’s reindeer?
Santa originally had eight reindeer.
But in 1939 Rudolph came onto the scene to make nine.
The little reindeer helping Santa make his journey are called:
- Dasher
- Dancer
- Prancer
- Vixen
- Comet
- Cupid
- Donner
- Blitzen
- Rudolph
89 best Christmas gifts for men in 2023
Christmas is fast approaching, so it's time to get those shopping lists sorted.
In our books, it’s always best to be prepared and shopping in advance of Christmas is a must, that way you can be sure you have secured the best Christmas gift for the men in your life before they sell out.
So we've put together a list of 89 presents for the men in your life this Christmas.
The stops we know so far...
- Glasgow (November 23 and 24)
- Edinburgh (November 25)
- Gateshead (November 26)
- Leeds (November 30)
- Dublin (November 30 to December 3)
- Liverpool (December 1)
- Sheffield (December 1)
- Manchester (December 2)
- Rushden (December 2)
- Sheffield (December 3)
- Baldock (December 3)
- Belfast (December 8 to 10)
Coca-Cola has teased its next stop but we don't yet know where it might be.
Stick with us to find out!
When the Coca-Cola truck got lost
In 2017, Coca-Cola fans in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, were left waiting for cold for several hours when the festive truck got lost and stuck in a field.
A spokesperson at the time said: “Unfortunately our driver took a wrong turn earlier today and had to turn on a very narrow road.
“We apologise to the fans who have been waiting since earlier today.”
Later, a photo emerged on Facebook that showed the lorry stuck on a country lane 20 miles out of the town in Market Rasen.
Coca-Cola Christmas Prizes (3)
Grand Prize Draw – 1 prize each week, 5 in total
All entries into either the instant win OR weekly draw also go into the grand prize draw, and there are 5 trips for two to Lapland to be won (one winner each week).
The prize includes flights, 3 nights accommodation at Hotel Santa Claus, in the Apukka resort in Lapland from 18th – 21st January 2024. Excursions to Snowman World, snowmobiling, husky farm, reindeer farm and Santa’s office are included.
You can only win one of each prize type per person.
Coca-Cola Christmas Prizes (2)
Weekly Prize Draws – 4 prizes each week, 20 in total across 5 weekly draws
- Christmas Trip to London (train travel and overnight hotel stay for 2 with a Great British Roast Class)
- Perfect Christmas Table (Xmas dinner ingredients for 8 plus tableware and accessories)
- Christmas Dinner Voucher (£300 to spend at any retailer)
- Christmas Hamper – includes chocolates, spreads, treats and a family trivia game
Coca-Cola Christmas Prizes (1)
Here’s what’s up for grabs in the Coca-Cola giveaway:
Instant Win prizes – 2210 in total:
- 400 x Coca Cola branded baubles.
- 1600 x Pairs of Coca Cola branded festive socks
- 10 x £100 Food delivery vouchers
- 50 x £20 Food delivery vouchers
- 150 x £10 Food delivery vouchers
Fans disappointed over queues
Families on a fun day out to see the Coca-Cola truck were left disappointed having to wait hours.
Dad David Gilmour, 60, said he was “underwhelmed” by the Coca Cola truck, which parked up near the White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds.
He told The Sun: “We were expecting so much more after an hour’s wait.”
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.
“I heard about the Coca Cola truck coming here on Facebook, so we thought we’d come down.
“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.”
Credit: NB PRESS LTD I was the first Brit to drive the Coca-Cola truck
Matt Smith, 36, from Andover, Hampshire, was the first Brit to get behind the wheel of the Coca-Cola truck.
The handyman, who has cystic fibrosis, shared his “childhood dream” to drive the festive Coca-Cola truck on social media during a troubling period when he was “very ill” in 2015.
At the time Matt needed regular two-week hospital stays due to his lung capacity being “just 18 per cent at best” – just walking up a flight of stairs left him feeling winded.
His post, which detailed his health struggles, went viral overnight and led Coca-Cola to make his “wish come true” by allowing him to drive the famous vehicle.
Thrilled Matt was told he was the first member of the public to do so, and to this day “can’t believe it happened”.
Credit: Adrian Brooks/Imagewise Is there a curse on the Coca-Cola truck?
The Coca-Cola Christmas Truck tour has been plagued with a few unfortunate events over the years, leading some to think its cursed.
Instead of spreading Christmas cheer to onlookers, residents near Bucharest, Romania, were filled with panic after spotting the Coca-Cola Christmas truck engulfed in flames.
Viral video footage showed fire ripping through the vehicle’s trailer and black smoke filling the air while it drove through the streets, in Berceni, on November 29, last year.
In 2017, Coca-Cola fans in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, were left waiting for cold for several hours when the festive truck got lost and stuck in a field.
The Coca-Cola truck’s visit to Silverburn Shopping Centre, in Glasgow, caused outrage in November 2017 after the attraction caused a major gridlock.
Unhappy motorists claimed they felt like “prisoners” after being “trapped” in the venue’s car park for more than two hours because of high levels of traffic.
Coca-Cola was forced to apologise back in 2015 after an event at an Asda in Coryton, Wales, caused lengthy queues and gridlock traffic.
Drivers told that routes that typically took 15 minutes lasted as long as three or four hours due to the excessive amount of cars on the road.
Credit: Alamy How do I keep track of the Coca-Cola truck tour route?
The itinerary for the Coca-Cola truck can be found on the drink’s official website.
Announcements about new dates and locations added to the truck’s schedule will be posted.
