Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour dates and locations revealed

Holidays are coming

Olivia Petter
Tuesday 06 November 2018 13:20 GMT
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(Coca-Cola)

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For many, the Coca-Cola Christmas truck is a sign that the festive season has officially begun. It indicates that it will soon be time to hark the herald, deck the halls and step into Christmas.

Yes, the humble red vehicle has become something of an icon.

Now in its eighth year, the truck tour will begin again in Glasgow on 9 November.

As the glimmering truck travels round the UK, it will visit 14 towns and cities nationwide in the build-up to Christmas, making its final stop in Croydon, London, on 16 December.

At each stop, this year Coca-Cola lovers can snap and project their festive selfies across the side of the truck while enjoying a 150ml can of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke or Coca-Cola Classic in a winter wonderland setting.

Every truck stop will also include a recycling call-to-action, encouraging consumers to recycle bottles and cans.

The truck makes a stop outside Big Ben
The truck makes a stop outside Big Ben

Despite being a popular drink all year round, Coca-Cola has become increasingly associated with Christmas.

The truck first appeared on TV screens in the drinks behemoth’s Christmas advert in 1995.

Over the last eight years, the truck tour has seen thousands of Christmas fans visit the famous vehicle, generating over 50,000 festive photos.

It has travelled over 730,000 miles - the equivalent of 29 times around the world - twinkling its 8,772 fairy lights and playing the iconic "Holidays are Coming" jingle.

The truck visits Tower Bridge
The truck visits Tower Bridge

Alec Mellor, marketing manager for Coca-Cola Great Britain said: “Christmas is all about sharing festive goodwill with friends and loved ones – and we can’t wait to start spreading holiday cheer across the UK with the return of our iconic red truck.

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"We’re excited to announce a brand-new route for 2018, which brings a sprinkling of festive magic to our fans, alongside an important message encouraging more people to recycle on the go.”

But last year, the truck was embroiled in controversy, with Liberal Democrat politicians calling for it to be banned from Liverpool due to fears it would contribute to the “obesity epidemic.”

Others have criticised Coca-Cola for commercialising a religious holiday.

That being said, many people have spoken out on social media to say they’re still looking forward to seeing the truck.

If you're one of them, here are all the locations and dates.

The Coca-Cola Christmas truck tour 2018:

  • Friday 9 and Saturday 10 November: Silverburn Centre, Glasgow
  • Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 November: Princesshay, Exeter
  • Sunday 11 November: Tesco Extra, Rutherglen
  • Tuesday 13 November: ASDA, Taunton
  • Wednesday 14 November: Tesco, Newcastle Upon Tyne
  • Thursday 15 and Friday 16 November – Sanderson Arcade, Morpeth
  • Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 November: Queen Street City Centre, Cardiff
  • Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 November – Fox Valley, Sheffield
  • Wednesday 21 November: Tesco, Swansea
  • Wednesday 21 November: Asda Pudsey, Leeds
  • Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November: Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough
  • Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 November: The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol
  • Wednesday 28 November: ASDA Eastlands, Manchester
  • Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 December: Lakeside Village Shopping Outlet, Doncaster
  • Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 December: Pier Approach, Bournemouth
  • Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 December: Serpentine Green, Peterborough
  • Thursday 6 and Friday 7 December: Victoria Retail Park, Nottingham
  • Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 December: Jingle Bell Ball, London
  • Tuesday 11 December: ASDA, Queensferry
  • Tuesday 11 December: ASDA, Watford
  • Wednesday 12 December: Tesco, Borehamwood
  • Thursday 13 December: Tesco, Sutton Coldfield
  • Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 December: East Side Green, Birmingham
  • Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 December: Valley Retail & Leisure Park, Croydon

Holidays are coming.

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