The Manchester Christmas Markets have revealed the 2026 souvenir mug design, featuring the return of the city's giant Santa, known as Zippy Santa, ahead of the markets' opening on Friday, November 6.
The retro-style design shows Manchester's giant Santa surrounded by gift-wrapped presents and fir trees, set against a night sky with snow falling on a cityscape of Manchester, with the Town Hall and its clock tower to one side. The mugs will be used across the markets for mulled wine and hot chocolate drinks.
Zippy Santa Returns to Albert Square
Zippy Santa returns to Albert Square this festive season for the first time in nearly a decade. This year, instead of the giant present box he has previously sat on outside Central Library, he will sit on a giant cracker that doubles as a tunnel visitors can walk through for selfies once the markets open.
Albert Square has returned as the main hub of the Christmas Markets this year, leading to an extra early start on installation. The Big Wheel, a 50-metre high structure, went up first, followed by the giant Santa.
Mug Designs and Pricing
The mugs have been designed by the city council's in-house design studio and are the latest in a series of collectable Christmas mugs. There are two different souvenir mugs to collect, both sharing the same retro design but in different colours and shapes: a taller narrower mug with a white backdrop for hot chocolate, and a shorter rounder mug with a green colourway for Glühwein.
Councillor Garry Bridges, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Our top team of talented in-house designers have done it again! They've come up with yet another brilliant design this year for our iconic Christmas mugs that really catches the mood of the moment as Manchester counts down to Christmas."
He added: "With their fun retro design the mugs are sure to be a massive hit with everyone who visits our fantastic Christmas markets this year and we can't wait to welcome everyone to Manchester over the next couple of months to help us celebrate the festive season in style."
Deposit Scheme and Market Dates
The price of the mugs is the same as last year, with customers asked to pay a deposit of £3.50 for their mug when they buy a hot chocolate or Glühwein. They can either return the mug to the stall afterwards and get their deposit back, or keep the mug and take it home.
The mugs have been a sell-out sensation since the return of the Christmas Markets post-Covid, with record sales of each year's edition. The mugs will be available, while stocks last, at each of the ten market locations in the city from the opening day on Friday, November 6.
Manchester's Christmas Markets will open at ten locations across the city on Friday, November 6 and close on Tuesday, December 22, except at Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, which will remain open until Sunday, January 3, 2027. The Skate Manchester Ice Rink in Cathedral Gardens and the Giant Ferris Wheel in Albert Square will also run from November 6 to January 3. The Manchester Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday, December 6.
