Green Santa to set sail on the River Thames
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers launches UK’s first floating eco-friendly Santa pop up
- Less than a quarter of Brits aware that Father Christmas originally wore green
- More than half of consumers looking for sustainable choices this Christmas, with Londoners most eco-conscious
- To mark the arrival of new hybrid boat Celestial Clipper, Green Santa will sail through London on 17 December aboard one of the Thames’ newest hybrid passenger ferries
Uber Boat Santa Shoot. Picture date: Wednesday November 22, 2023. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Matt Alexander/PA Wire
Less than a quarter (23 per cent) of Brits are aware that Father Christmas’s iconic clothing was originally green, according to new research from Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. And with over half of consumers feeling that having an eco-friendly choice is important when it comes to planning Christmas activities and days out (48 per cent), travel (50 per cent) and gifts (54 per cent) this year, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is bringing back a traditional emerald-suited Santa to the river this festive season for the UK’s greenest Santa pop up.
With consumers in the capital revealed as the most eco-conscious in the UK when it comes to buying Christmas presents*, London’s most sustainable Santa will greet passengers and distribute eco-friendly gifts on board one of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ hybrid vessels.
The first Green Santa sailing departs North Greenwich Pier at 15:13, and travels westward to Battersea Power Station, calling at piers throughout the capital including:
- Canary Wharf at 15:33
- Tower Pier at 15:44
- London Bridge City at 15:48
- Bankside at 15:53
- Embankment Pier at 16:03
- Millbank Pier at 16:13
The second Green Santa sailing departs Battersea Power Station Pier at 17:30 and travels eastward to North Greenwich Pier, calling at piers including:
- Embankment Pier at 17:48
- Bankside at 17:57
- London Bridge City at 18:02
- Tower Pier at 18:06
- Canary Wharf Pier at 18:17
Meeting Santa with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is free with the price of a ticket, and children will receive an eco gift. As well as celebrating with Santa, passengers will see iconic landmarks from the Houses of Parliament, to Tower Bridge and Greenwich Palace in breathtaking illuminated glory – all from the comfort of one of the greenest passenger ferries on the Thames.
Despite the famous red coat and hat being synonymous with our idea of St. Nick, up until the late 19th century he was more commonly depicted in green robes. The green outfit that was familiar to Victorian children was related to the pagan origins of the winter celebration, and the green shoots of spring that can be found in even harsh winters. We have American cartoonists, Nordic traditions, and advertising to thank for today’s red portrayal.
Celestial Clipper follows the launch of Earth Clipper earlier this year, and precedes the hybrid Mars Clipper, expected in 2024. Like Earth Clipper, Celestial will operate only on electric power in central London and recharge while using biofuelled power outside of the centre. Hybrid high speed passenger ferries give an almost 90 per cent reduction in CO2e compared with vessels ran solely on conventional marine diesel.
Tickets for a central-zone one way sailing start at £8.60 when paid for online, via app, or by tapping-in. With a Family River Roamer, kids up to 15 sail for free and the family enjoys unlimited hop-on, hop-off travel throughout the day. An All Zones Family River Roamer costs just £42.40 and is valid for 2 adults and up to 3 children.
Celestial Clipper will join regular river boat services alongside Uber Boat by Thames Clippers’ 18 other high-speed catamarans, serving London’s commuters and visitors at the 24 piers from Putney in the west to Barking Riverside in the east.
For further information on the Sail with Green Santa sailings, and to book tickets, visit: thamesclippers.com/sailingsanta