Christmas celebrations are in full swing the world over, with Santa Claus popping up everywhere from Maine to Tokyo.
Updated: December 22, 2014, 12:00 AM
Around the globe with Santa Claus - in pictures
Spencer Slate, garbed as Santa Claus, scuba dives in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary off Islamorada, Florida. Each year, Mr Slate dons the costume to provide underwater holiday photo opportunities for his dive shop customers as a fundraiser to sponsor Christmas gifts for a local children’s charity. Andy Newman / AP
A man wearing a Santa Claus outfit paddles his canoe decorated with a reindeer in papier-mache during the traditional Christmas bath on December 21 on the beach in downtown Nice. Valery Hache/ AFP
South Korea’s Bukhan San Mountain Rescue Police captain Kim Chang-Gon, wearing a Santa Claus costume, while rock-climbing during an event marking the Christmas holiday season on Buckhan mountain near Seoul, South Korea. Jeon Heon-Kyun / EPA
Guatemalan firefighter Hector Chacon, wearing a Santa Claus outfit, rappels down the Belize bridge to give toys to children living under the bridge, in Guatemala City. Mr Chacon has arranged for firefighters to dress as Santa Claus and give out toys during Christmas to children living in the poor neighbourhood under the bridge for the past 17 years. Josue Decavele / Reuters
A diver wearing Santa Claus clothes feeds rays and fishes for a special underwater season show at Sunshine Aquarium in Tokyo, Japan. Kimimasa Mayama / EPA
A man dressed up as Santa Claus hanging from a cableway as he delivers Christmas gifts to visitors in a gondola at a scenic area in Yueyang, central China’s Hunan province. Staff of the scenic area expect to attract more visitors while welcoming in the Christmas season. AFP
A sea lion balances a Christmas tree on his nose while a trainer in a Santa Claus costume smiles during a show at the Aqua Stadium aquarium in Tokyo. The Christmas-themed special show will be held through to Christmas Day. Yoshikazu Tsuno / AFP
A woman dressed as Santa Claus poses in front of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Manuel Silvestri / Reuters
A member of the Amigos do Papai Noel (Friends of Santa Claus) group dressed as Santa Claus waves to residents from a boat during a visit to the community Sao Jose in Careiro da Varzea of Amazonas State, located along the Amazon River banks where the Ribeirinhos (forest dwellers) live. The volunteers of Friends of Santa Claus group have been distributing Christmas gifts to people living in the area since 1998. Bruno Kelly / Reuters