Despite the lingering summer heat across Europe, the Danish city of Aalborg has embraced an early festive spirit, hosting dozens of Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and elves for its annual World Santa Claus Congress.
This decades-old midsummer tradition, which will mark its 70th anniversary next year, originated in 1957 at an amusement park near Copenhagen before relocating to Aalborg on Denmark’s Jutland peninsula two years ago. The sight of the iconic red suits under the Danish summer sun offered a somewhat stifling spectacle.
Conceived originally to entertain children, the congress has evolved into a popular annual gathering for professional Santas who typically appear in stores and shopping malls during the Yuletide season. It provides a unique opportunity for these festive figures – “not the real one, of course!” – to exchange stories, compare their impressive beards, refine their craft, and engage in lighthearted competitions, all months before the Christmas rush begins.
The packed schedule includes a variety of activities such as gingerbread eating contests, gift wrapping challenges, balloon modeling sessions, and several lively parades through the city.
Peter Gislund, an organizer and a Santa Claus in Aalborg during the Christmas season, noted the contrasting reactions to the early festivities. “The grandmas say: ‘Oh, it’s too early to come here’,” he explained. “The kids say: ‘Hooray! Santa’s here already’.”
Christmas as a state of mind, not just a season
Santas and Mrs. Clauses from across the globe recently converged for their annual four-day gathering, transforming Aalborg into a festive hub. The event drew participants from as far afield as Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, and the United States, though the majority of the three dozen attendees hailed from Scandinavia.
Among those who traveled great distances was Paradise Yamamoto from Tokyo, who expressed his delight. “This is very fun, so many children … Ho, ho, ho!” Yamamoto exclaimed with a laugh, having just paraded through the city, waving a Japanese flag and dancing to “Feliz Navidad,” one of many Christmas classics filling the air.
Robert Hercz, a 64-year-old Norwegian Santa from Oslo, attending for the first time, noted a shared characteristic among all Santas present. Despite their diverse nationalities, he believes they all possess “a gene” for generosity and spreading joy. “You have it or you don’t,” Hercz stated. “We have the true Santa spirit. And it’s all about giving, sharing, and putting a little bit of joy in people’s hearts.”
The congress isn’t solely about public appearances; it’s also a chance for professional development and camaraderie. As Gislund observed, “When Santas are together, they always mingle and talk a little bit. Maybe I put a little bit of sparkle in the beard and so on. That’s the good part of meeting some Santas from all over the world.”
For Simon Brøns, a 33-year-old Danish Santa, the event underscores a deeper truth about the holiday spirit. “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.”
