Capturing the Magic of Santa in the City Through Photographs

Martyn Hayes
6 days ago
2 min read

Santa group with a bearded Santa in sunglasses in a festive city setting. Text: "Photo gallery, Santa in the City, 2025." Christmas theme.

A Festive Journey: Photographing 1,000 Santas in the Heart of London

So, you've heard all the usual Christmas stuff - songs about Silent Nights or poems about how quiet everything is, not even a mouse making a sound... Well, that dreamy quiet scene isn't what you'll find in the UK capital, especially when fundraisers roll into town!

Every year, people in the city channel their inner Kris Kringle to raise some cash for charity. Thousands head to the Square Mile to spread Christmas cheer by joining the Santa In the City Walk and Run. Everyone's decked out as the season's favourite icon - good old Saint Nick himself.

Picture the scene: a sea of red coats, bobble hats, and white beards cruising past the city's skyscrapers, landmarks and onlookers, really painting the town red.

The route takes you from St. Paul's Cathedral, down into Southwark, past the Globe Theatre, Millennium Bridge, and towards the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. London is such an iconic place and just screams Christmas when December hits. So it's no surprise these Santas fit right in.

People in Santa costumes with beards and hats gather at night in a festive city plaza. One person wears green sunglasses, creating a joyful vibe. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Exploring the Magic of Santa in the City Through a Photo Gallery

The event is quire the spectacle. In 2025, I captured the festivities using a fisheye lens and a speedlight. As you'll notice, I used the shutter drag technique in several shots to really show off the movement.

It was pretty tough since it was night-time and pouring rain. Honestly, my shoes will probably never recover from all the squelching I did throughout the evening.

The hardest part was getting myself to certain spots along the way, snapping photos, and then sprinting ahead of the crowd. By the time I hit the finish line, I was totally out of breath.

Check out the photos below. Don't forget to drop a comment with your thoughts on this photo gallery!

Two people in Santa costumes smile on a rainy city street at night. Bright building lights and a red traffic light are visible in the background. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

A person in a Santa suit holds a beer, smiling at a wooden table with a phone, cup, and race bib. Background shows people in Santa suits. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Man in Santa costume smiling, blurred motion, festive lights in background. Sign reads "RINCS Roadside." Warm, joyful atmosphere. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Person in Santa outfit laughing, standing near a brightly lit Christmas tree. Warm, festive atmosphere with blurred golden lights. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Three people in Santa costumes pose for a photo, smiling with city lights in the background. One holds a phone; two others have drinks. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Man in Santa hat speaks into a microphone, wearing a black coat with credential badge. Blurred Santas in red suits in the background. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

A person in a reindeer costume smiles at night, streetlights glowing. A festive building is lit in the background with warm lights. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

People in Santa suits with beards smile in a festive urban setting. Red costumes and race bibs add to the cheerful holiday vibe. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

People in Santa costumes gather in a stone archway at night, looking festive. Bright red suits and white beards dominate the scene. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

People in Santa outfits and winter clothes walk on a bridge at night. The background features blurred city lights, creating a festive mood. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Man in Santa costume with white beard sitting at a table with two beers. Festive lights and a building in the background create a cozy mood. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Two people in Santa suits share a joyful moment under a black polka dot umbrella, holding drinks, on a rainy city street at night. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Santa Claus figure dancing energetically in a festive city street at night. Blurred motion, bright red suit, and holiday lights surround. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

People in Santa costumes walk past a lit building at night, creating a festive, blurred motion effect with bright reds and oranges. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

People in Santa suits walking on a wet city street at night. Buildings with lit windows in the background. Smiling and festive mood. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Santa-clad runner with bib 3303 waves in a nighttime city street, wearing a red suit and tutu. Bright lights and buildings in background. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Person in a Santa suit joyfully raises arms in a festive, night setting with blurred lights and a tree visible. Vibrant red and white colours. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

People in Santa outfits enjoy an event at night in a city plaza. A person smiles, holding a Santa cookie. Festive and joyful atmosphere. Santa in the City Walk and Run, London

Like what you see?

Explore this website for more examples of photo documentaries captured in London throughout the year. Spread some yuletide cheer and give to a good cause this year by donating to charities connected with Sana in the City