World Santa Claus Congress

The World Santa Claus Congress takes place ever year in the Dyrehavsbakken or Bakken amusement park near Copenhagen, Denmark. Every summer since 1957, Santas from all around the world gather to celebrate holiday cheer in the middle of the summer. One of the Santas celebrating this year's World Santa Claus Congress is photographed on July 23, 2012.

According to the official website, the event was created by Professor Tribini, an entertainer at Bakken, who thought Christmas should happen more than once a year. Santas at the World Santa Claus Congress, held at Bakken in Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen on July 23, 2012.

Santas celebrate at the World Santa Claus Congress, held at Bakken in Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen on July 23, 2012. The World Santa Claus Congress ends on July 26.

The World Santa Claus Congress at Bakken includes a parade on the streets of the amusement park, Christmas competitions and the awarding of "Honorary Santa of the Year" to one participant. Santas push strollers during the World Santa Claus Congress on July 23, 2012.

Santas swim on July 23, 2012 as part of Santa's annual saltwater footbath during the World Santa Claus Congress near Copenhagen, Denmark.

This year, the Santas will take part in a sightseeing tour of Copenhagen and participate in a parade down Stroget, the city's main pedestrian street. A Santa celebrates the World Santa Claus Congress on July 23, 2012.

Santas from all around the world exchange tips and customs from their respective countries during a "Santa Workshop." A Santa rides down the street during the World Santa Claus Congress on July 23, 2012.

On the Sunday before World Santa Claus Congress, the Danish Santa Claus Guild holds its annual meeting at Julemaendenes Tingsted (Santa Claus Thingstead) in the Nisseskoven (Pixie Forest) in Bakken. A Santa celebrates the World Santa Claus Congress on July 23, 2012.

In the Nisseskoven, Christmas is celebrated all year round. There is always a decorated Christmas tree and Santa's house is supposedly located here. There is also a special Santa obstacle course. A Santa smiles at the camera at the World Santa Claus Congress on July 23, 2012.

The event is put on by Bakken and the Danish Santa Claus Guild. Bakken is the world's oldest amusement park. An elf joins the festivities during the World Santa Claus Congress on July 23, 2012.

Anyone who works as a professional Santa Claus or Christmas elf, as well as their spouses and children, are eligible to attend the World Santa Claus Congress. A female Santa celebrates the World Santa Claus Congress on July 23, 2012.

Santas must perform in full costume according to their origin country, and they must participate in parades and other activities during the World Santa Claus Congress. A Santa celebrates the World Santa Claus Congress on July 23, 2012.

The 2012 four-day event started on July 23, 2012 and will end July 26, 2012. Santas celebrating this year's World Santa Claus Congress is photographed on July 23, 2012.

Santas celebrate at the World Santa Claus Congress, held at Bakken in Klampenborg, north of Copenhagen on July 23, 2012. The World Santa Claus Congress ends on July 26.

Santas swim on July 23, 2012 as part of Santa's annual saltwater footbath during the World Santa Claus Congress near Copenhagen, Denmark.

Santas play some volleyball in the snow during the World Santa Claus Congress 2012 on July 23, 2012.

A female elf and a Santa join the festivities on July 23, 2012.

Participants, wearing Santa Claus and pixies costumes, take a bath at Bellevue Beach north of Copenhagen on July 21, 2009 on the second day of the World Santa Claus Congress 2009.

The 2009 event brought together 136 red-clad delegates from all over the world.

Santa Clauses from all over the world take part in a parade on the first day of the annual World Santa Claus Congress on July 21, 2008 at the amusement park Dyrehavsbakken, north of Copenhagen.

Santas from Germany have fun on July 23, 2007 during the parade on the first day of the annual World Santa Claus Congress at the amusement park Dyrehavsbakken north of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Five months before Christmas, all the Santas participated in the World Santa Claus Congress 2006 parade as temperatures reached 28 degree Celsius on July 24, 2006.

The Father Christmases and their little helpers from 10 European countries, the United States and Japan were met in July 2006 for their 43rd annual get-together at Bakken, the oldest theme park in the world, located just north of Copenhagen.

Participants, wearing Santa Claus and pixies costumes, dance around the Christmas tree on the second day of the World Santa Claus Congress 2009 in Copenhagen on July 21, 2009.

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