Giant Santa returns to Adelaide Central Market after almost landing on the scrap heap

The giant 15m tall giant Father Christmas is back to his rightful spot for the festive season.

Giant Santa has made his big return to the Adelaide Central Market for the second time since he was saved from the scrap heap.

The mammoth effort to erect the 15m high fibreglass, wooden and metal structure – weighing in at 3 ton – saw road lanes blocked off and cranes brought in on Sunday.

The 61-year-old Santa will spend the festive season on display at Federal Hall for a second year after he was rescued and restored by media personality Andrew ‘Cosi’ Costello following an appeal by The Advertiser.

The rise of Giant Santa on Federation Hall at Adelaide Central Market. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Giants Santas pants going on at Federation Hall. Picture: Brett Hartwig

On with his head. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Giant Santa was displayed in Rundle Mall for years but in 2018 the Adelaide City Council almost brought Santa’s career to an end because of his deteriorating condition and storage costs.

The council attempted to offload him to the History Trust of SA but after they rejected the big guy in red it condemned Santa for the landfill.

But Costello rescued him from the tip with a $2 bid and brought him back to life with the help of various companies and individuals before restoring him to his marquee location.

On site for his assembly on Sunday, a crowd of approximately 100 people watched as Giant Santa was carefully arranged from his boots to the tip of his hat over three hours.

Watching from start to finish was Olivia Miller, 7, who said she was excited watching the process.

Although Olivia wasn’t sure whether she was on Santa’s naughty or nice list she was still looking forward to receiving “all his presents.”

The final piece of the puzzle. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Olivia Miller 7, Ava Incledon 7 and Shannon Incledon with Cosi on Sunday. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Meanwhile, the Close family was so transfixed by the assembly of Santa that they parked their car and put their plans of going to IKEA on hold.

Ben Close, 45, and wife Carly, 42, said it was “awesome that we got to catch the moment”.

“I always remember Santa being up on Rundle Mall around Christmas time,” Mr Close said.

“And honestly Christmas doesn’t feel the same as it used to before when Santa was on the Joe Martin’s building and the department stores were filled with mall Santa’s and Christmas decorations.

“So it’s good that we got to keep him because he’s a bit of a trademark for Adelaide.”