Águeda, a city in Portugal, holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest Santa Claus model, standing at 21m tall and illuminated by over 250,000 LED lights.
Built in 2015, the model impresses with a height equivalent to a 7-story building and a width of approximately $10\text{ m}$, visible from many locations throughout the city. According to the Guinness World Records, the artwork was officially recognized as the world’s largest on December 12, 2016.
The structure was sponsored by the Águeda City Council and cost approximately 49,000 Euros. It is currently an unmissable tourist symbol and the most photographed location during the local Christmas event series.
The idea to create the world’s largest Santa Claus originated from the desire to differentiate Águeda and was part of a larger project aimed at promoting local tourism and culture.
“Santa Claus is not just a mere attraction. It is a symbol of the creativity and energy that the city of Águeda puts into all its activities,” said Mayor Jorge Almeida.
He also affirmed that the city government will continue to invest in similar initiatives to promote commerce, tourism, and strengthen community cohesion.
Besides the large record, visitors to the Águeda Tourism Office can also admire the world’s smallest Santa Claus, a nano-sculpture by British artist Willard Wigan, located inside the eye of a needle and only visible through a microscope.
The image of white umbrellas flooded with light, which is a symbol of the city of Águeda (Aveiro region), has also reappeared to welcome this year’s Christmas season. The umbrella street area was once voted by CNN Travel as one of the most beautiful Christmas streets in the world.
The city of Águeda, Portugal, has firmly established itself on the global map of Christmas wonders, not just through festive charm, but by setting an impressive world record. The city is home to the World’s Largest Santa Claus model, a monumental figure that dominates the cityscape and captures the imagination of visitors from around the globe.
Standing at a colossal height of $21\text{ meters}$, this massive representation of Father Christmas is comparable in stature to a seven-story building. Its impressive scale is further enhanced by its dazzling illumination: the structure is adorned with over 250,000 LED lights, making it a brilliant beacon visible from numerous vantage points within the city. With a width of approximately $10\text{ meters}$, the figure is designed to command attention.
The construction of this iconic Santa Claus began in 2015. Its status as the largest of its kind was officially cemented on December 12, 2016, when it was formally recognized by the Guinness World Records. This confirmation brought international acclaim to Águeda.
The project, which cost an estimated 49,000 Euros, was financially supported by the Águeda City Council. Today, the giant Santa is more than just a seasonal display; it has become an indispensable tourist symbol and consistently ranks as the most photographed spot during the city’s extensive Christmas events. The sheer volume of visitors drawn to the location underscores its success as a major attraction. A video from POV Tours – Portugal in 4K shows tourists enjoying the area around the world’s largest Santa Claus model.
The motivation behind creating such a massive spectacle was rooted in a strategic vision. The concept of the world’s largest Santa Claus was born from a desire to make Águeda stand out and form an integral part of a broader initiative to promote local tourism and cultural heritage.
Mayor Jorge Almeida emphasized the deeper meaning behind the structure: “Santa Claus is not just a mere attraction. It is a symbol of the creativity and energy that the city of Águeda puts into all its activities.”
The Mayor further assured that the city government is committed to continuous investment in similar innovative initiatives. The goal is clear: to stimulate local commerce, boost tourism, and reinforce the spirit of community cohesion.
The city offers a unique contrast in scale for visitors. While the colossal Santa draws massive crowds, the Águeda Tourism Office also houses the World’s Smallest Santa Claus. This minute piece is a nano-sculpture crafted by the acclaimed British artist Willard Wigan. It is so small that it resides within the eye of a needle and requires a microscope to be properly viewed, offering a fascinating juxtaposition to the record-holding giant.
Adding to the city’s visual spectacle, the iconic Umbrella Sky Project—a hallmark of Águeda located in the Aveiro region—returns for the Christmas season. The streets are once again filled with white umbrellas bathed in light, creating a stunning canopy. This vibrant street was previously selected by CNN Travel as one of the most beautiful Christmas streets in the world, further solidifying Águeda’s reputation as a prime destination for holiday magic.
(According to The Portugal News)
