Santas Around the World

In the US, Santa rides around in parades and spends his free time in shopping malls, but what does he do in other countries?  mapsales.com looks at Santa and his doppelgangers around the world. 

England

In the UK, Santa is referred to as Father Christmas and he rides in Harrods’ Annual Christmas Parade in London, with Mrs. Christmas by his side.  Instead of residing at the North Pole, the English believe that Father Christmas lives in the mountains of Korvatunturi in Lapland, Finland.

Japan

Santa takes on a much more active role at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama, Japan.  Rather than sitting on a parade float, this Japanese Santa swims with the dolphins.  Santa dives into the dolphin tanks, wearing his traditional red suit as well as some Christmas-themed scuba gear, and feeds dolphins while onlookers marvel at the sight. 

Russia

Father Frost takes on the Santa Claus role in Russia.  His name and appearance come from a Russian fairy tale written in the 1800s.  In Stovropol, a city in southern Russia, Father Frost rides to a local park with his granddaughter, Snegurochka the Snowmaid, to entertain children. 

Sweden

Being Santa Claus in Sweden is a tough job.  Not only do you have to deliver presents to all the good little boys and girls, but you also have to compete against other Santas from around the world.  Every December, Gallivare, a town in northern Sweden, hosts the Santa Claus Winter Games, in which Santas from all over the world compete in typical Santa sports. 

Want to learn more about holiday celebrations around the world? Try a map!  mapsales.com carries over 200,000 wall maps…delivered as fast as next day! 

Click here for more maps of the world!