Coca-Cola Christmas truck tracker 2023 — Tour dates revealed, plus how to win prizes as event heads to Ireland TOMORROW

Coca-Cola in the movies

Coke’s cinematic cameos date back to the early 1900s, continuing through Hollywood’s golden era and beyond.

“From being on the billboard in Times Square in King Kong, to Warren Beatty enjoying the refreshing beverage in Bonnie and Clyde, the influence cannot be denied,” director Ridley Scott wrote in the forward to a new photography book chronicling Coke’s indelible mark on the movie world.

Scott featured a Coca‑Cola neon sign in his 1982 sci-fi thriller, Blade Runner. “The message being,” he explained, “that even in a futuristic dystopian world, Coca‑Cola is everlasting.”

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

Elfie selfies

In the past, Coca-Cola fans who visit the truck have been able to sample festive treats at a pop-up winter market, take part in games and take “elfie selfies”. 

Visitors have also been able to buy a special Coca-Cola that can be personalised with their name or a short phrase.

This year visitors will be able to win prizes, including merch and free trips.

Why is Christmas shortened to Xmas?

It turns out we’ve got the Greeks to thank for that.

As we mentioned earlier, the word Khrīstos (the origin of the word Christ) appears as “Χριστός” when written in Greek.

The abbreviation Xmas is based on the first letter – chi, which appears as X – followed by “mas”; a shortened version of Mass.

There is an alternative theory that the use of Xmas stems from an attempt by some to remove the religious tradition from Christmas by removing the word Christ, but its use dates all the way back to the 16th century.

Only one day left

There is only one day left available for the Coca-Cola Real Magic Christmas Experience in Belfast.

There are still slots available on the 8th December at the Titanic Slipway, Belfast.

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.

Check out the behind the scenes clips from this year's advert

Coca-Cola recently released their latest Christmas advert for 2023.

The official Instagram page has released a behind the scenes clip of how the advert was made and produced.

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 History Channel.

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’s classic Christmas Santa

Many believe that Coca-Cola invented the modern image of Santa as an old man in a red and white suit, but historians believe this image was already common before the 1930s advert.

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”.

Ten films to watch this Christmas

Here is a list of some great films to watch this festive season.

• It’s a Wonderful Life
• Elf
• Home Alone
• A Christmas Carol
• Die Hard
• Batman Returns
• Love Actually
• Polar Express
• The Harry Potter franchise
• Santa Claus

Interactive Santa Quiz added to Coca-Cola truck tour

Those going to see the Coca-Cola truck can expect to get involved in an interactive Santa Quiz.

The brand announced there will be all-new elements to the tour this year.

Florence Wheatley, Brand Manager at Coca-Cola Company, Great Britain, said: “Coca-Cola has been spreading Christmas cheer for decades and, this year, we’ve added even more exciting elements to make it as magical and merry as possible.

“Alongside the beloved return of the Truck Tour nationwide and the much loved ‘Holidays Are Coming’ advert, we have introduced new elements like the ‘World Needs More Santas’ TVC and an interactive Santa Quiz.”

Where does the term Christmas come from and what does it mean?

Most of us would assume it originates from the word Christ, as the whole idea of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

To a point that is the case – the word is a shortened form of “Christ’s mass”, or “Cristes Maesse” as it was first recorded in 1038.

This was followed by the term Cristes-messe in 1131, according to The Catholic Encyclopedia.

The term “Christ” – or Crīst as it originally read – comes from the Greek word Khrīstos, a translation of the Hebrew word Messiah, which means “anointed”.

The second part of Christmas – messe – is a version of the Latin word missa, the celebration of the Eucharist tradition of eating bread and drinking wine in memory of Jesus.

This is also called Holy Communion and the Lord’s Supper.

When did the Coca-Cola truck tour first begin?

The Coca-Cola Christmas truck was first seen in the brand’s hugely popular 1995 advert.

The truck began touring the US in 2001 but didn’t start visiting the UK until 2010.

It has travelled the UK every year since.

Why is Christmas shortened to Xmas?

It turns out we’ve got the Greeks to thank for that.

As we mentioned earlier, the word Khrīstos (the origin of the word Christ) appears as “Χριστός” when written in Greek.

The abbreviation Xmas is based on the first letter – chi, which appears as X – followed by “mas”; a shortened version of Mass.

There is an alternative theory that the use of Xmas stems from an attempt by some to remove the religious tradition from Christmas by removing the word Christ, but its use dates all the way back to the 16th century.

Where next? Coca Cola Christmas Truck Tour 2023 dates and locations

Coca Cola has historically announced where they will be heading on the truck tour as it takes place. For example, once they’re arrived in one area they will share where they’re heading next.

What is the story behind Coca-Cola?

On May 8, 1886, Dr John Pemberton served the world’s first Coca‑Cola at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta.

From that one drink, the company has evolved into a total beverage company.

More than 2.1 billion servings of the drinks are enjoyed in more than 200 countries and territories each day.