Santa brings joy underwater and to Alaska’s remote communities

Aquatic Santa at AquaRio
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, visitors to the AquaRio Marine Aquarium are witnessing a truly unforgettable sight as Santa dives into the depths to feed sharks. Felippe Luna, 39, a senior animal handler at AquaRio, dons a Santa suit and plunges into a 924,602-gallon tank as part of a cherished holiday tradition. “For kids, seeing Santa underwater is already amazing,” Luna shared. “And Santa hand-feeding a shark? That’s unforgettable.” The daily dives, which run until December 25, add a magical twist to Christmas celebrations, delighting families and children like nine-year-old Guilherme, who exclaimed, “Imagine him underwater feeding the fish? That’s even cooler!”

Operation Santa Claus in Alaska
In Alaska, the National Guard’s Operation Santa Claus has brought holiday joy to the remote Tlingit village of Yakutat. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in grand style via a C-17 military cargo plane, delivering gifts to children and spreading holiday cheer. Backpacks filled with toys, books, and supplies—donated by the Salvation Army—were distributed to Yakutat’s 75 elementary school children. “It’s special that I get to experience this,” said nine-year-old Mackenzie Ross, clutching her new plush seal toy. The initiative, which began in 1956, focuses on isolated communities facing challenges, with Yakutat’s visit addressing hardships from heavy snowfall last year.

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