The annual World Santa Claus Congress event took place in Aalborg, Denmark with dozens turning out in full costume, despite the summer weather.
Beginning in 1957 as children’s entertainment at an amusement park near Copenhagen, the World Santa Claus Congress has since grown into an international convention for people who portray Santa during the Christmas season.
Its 69th edition has seen dozens of Santa Clauses, Mrs. Clauses, and a smattering of elves from around the world descend upon the city of Aalborg in Denmark, which is currently enduring a heatwave.
The Santas stay in costume whatever the weather
The event is a chance for professional Santa impersonators from all over the globe, including the US, Australia, and Japan, to convene, swap stories, sharpen their craft, and compete against each other in lighthearted challenges.
It comprises a stacked programme of Christmas parades, gingerbread eating, gift-wrapping, balloon modelling, and other festival activities.
The event’s organizer, Peter Gislund, spoke to AP News about the reaction from members of the public. “The grandmas say: ‘Oh, it’s too early to come here’,” he said. “The kids say: ‘Hooray! Santa’s here already’.”
A local Santa, Simon Brøns, said: “Christmas is not a season. It’s a feeling you have in your stomach,” he said with a smile. “So if you want, you can have Christmas the whole year.”
For more on gatherings, check out our coverage of the 200 Michael Myers trying to break the world record, or the largest game of human foosball in Canada.
