We all know that it’s not Christmas until you’ve seen the Coca Cola truck on TV! Why not go one better this year and see the Coca Cola truck in real life? Coca ColaHolidays are coming and so is Santa’s second favourite mode of transport (nothing can compete with his beautiful sleigh)!

Where Did The Coca Cola Trucks Come From?

Coca Cola’s Christmas trucks were first introduced in 1995 by W. B. Doner as part of a seasonal advertising campaign. They were dubbed the ‘Christmas Caravans’ and brought to life with glorious special effects from “Industrial Light And Magic” famous for their work on silver screens  hits such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Images of a very warm and friendly looking Santa, drawn up by artist Haddon Sundblom, graced the sides of the trucks. In 1996 the trucks returned to help Coca Cola launch their new Christmas packaging which featured the beloved Santa imagery that had brought festive joy to so many a year earlier.

In 1998 the now world famous trucks appeared again in another advert for the soft drinks company. The ‘Christmas Caravan III’ advert was broadcast in over 100 countries across the world, reaching an audience of millions. Even to this day it signifies the start of the holiday season for many people and brings festive joy to plenty more.

Iimagesn 1999 a new television advert named ‘Journey’ was filmed in Vancouver with the help of 3 Coca Cola trucks. This is the advert that brings out the child in all of us. You see a young boy with his Grandfather reading a Christmas story tucked up warm at home when suddenly the room springs to life! The Coca Cola truck appears and takes the pair on a magical journey through town, causing everything to light up on the way. It was a huge hit and is still a staple advert for the company.

Contrary to popular belief it was not Coca Cola that changed Santa Claus' costume to red! In illustrations and stories St Nick was depicted as wearing scarlet red clothing before Coca Cola was even created. While he was shown in many different ways throughout history, Haddon Sundblom's imagery for the Coca Cola advertising did help to shape him into a more human figure. Santa was given a long white beard and a friendly face which captivated the public and changed the way everyone saw the festive icon.

See Them For Yourself!

If something can bring that much festive spirit to homes all around the world, then it would surely be a treat to see it up close. Coca Cola truck tours have been popular right from the start with crowds flocking each year to see them. There are 45 stops across the UK so you’ll never be far from an opportunity. At each stop you will be able to get your photo taken with the iconic truck and get your hands on a selection of free samples to toast with!

This year Bournemouth will not have the pleasure of hosting the Coca Cola truck so we will all be heading down to Poole! The Seldown car park on Kingland Road is the place to be on the 18th of December. The truck will be there from 12 midday all the way up to 8 in the evening so there will be plenty of time to enjoy the festive atmosphere. There really are no excuses to miss this as it is even free to the public! Grab your coats and cameras everyone, it’s time to make Christmas extra special for all the family. Why not spread some Christmas joy yourselves and get dressed up for the occasion? This is a chance to make a fantastic photo memory so make it entertaining and put on some festive fancy dress. There is a huge range of costumes and accessories to choose from, so whether you're on a budget or you're looking for something more deluxe, you're sure to find something for you.

To find a Coca Cola truck stop near you, be sure to visit their website here!