The monumental structure, 21 metres high — the equivalent of a seven-story building — already dominates Largo 1º de Maio and promises, once again, to enchant thousands of visitors during the Christmas season.

Built in 2015, the giant made out of lights was recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's largest Santa Claus and is composed of more than 250,000 LED lights, representing an investment of approximately €49,000 supported by the Águeda City Council. Since then, it has become the most photographed element of "Christmas in Águeda" and an unmissable icon of the municipality's tourism brand.

"Our Santa Claus is more than an attraction—he is a symbol of the creativity and energy that Águeda puts into everything it does," emphasises Mayor Jorge Almeida, adding that the city hall "continues to invest in initiatives that promote local commerce, tourism, and family involvement." But the city doesn't stop at the giant. At the Águeda Tourist Office, visitors can also see the world's smallest Santa Claus, a nano-sculpture created by British artist Willard Wigan, visible only under a microscope.