Dozens of men wearing only shorts and Santa hats took to the streets of Krasnodar in a spirited pre-holiday run, organisers and local reports say. The participants, bare-chested despite freezing temperatures, ran through central thoroughfares and parkland before gathering for photographs and a communal dance at the city registry office.
Krasnodar Santa run draws crowds and cameras
According to the Readovka Telegram channel, the group moved along arteries of the city in the morning, cheered on by passers-by and curious onlookers. The participants kept the mood festive, completing the run at the ZAGS building where they took part in a photoshoot and formed a circle dance around the public Christmas tree.
Organisers did not give a precise participant count, but social media footage shared after the event shows a substantial group, all wearing seasonal hats but otherwise dressed in shorts or similarly minimal attire. The decision to run with bare torsos in winter appeared intended as a playful stunt rather than a protest or publicity campaign.
Temperatures in Krasnodar were reported to be below freezing on the morning of the run, which made the topless display more notable. Observers described the atmosphere as lively and good-humoured; there were no immediate reports of disturbances or public-safety incidents related to the gathering.
Public events featuring seasonal costumes have become a recurring source of local colour in many Russian cities. The organisers of the Krasnodar run appeared to be tapping into that tradition, staging an eye-catching spectacle intended to mark the holiday season. Participants finished their route outside the ZAGS, a municipal registry office where residents often hold small ceremonies and take photographs, making it a fitting backdrop for the group’s final poses.
Footage and photographs from the morning surfaced quickly on social media, where commentators ranged from amused to bemused. Some praised the participants’ festive spirit and stamina in cold weather, while others questioned the practicality of such attire in winter conditions. No official statements from municipal authorities were immediately available.
The incident followed an earlier local story in which residents of Nizhnevartovsk expressed alarm over a public figure of Snegurochka, the traditional granddaughter of Ded Moroz. In that case, locals compared the figure’s appearance to characters from a well-known horror video game. Together the episodes demonstrate how seasonal decorations and performances can provoke a wide range of public reactions.
For now, the Krasnodar run appears to have concluded as a harmless, if theatrical, celebration of the holiday period. While some may view it as an eccentric publicity stunt, participants and spectators alike treated it as a chance to mark the season in an unusual and memorable way.
Key Takeaways:
- Local men dressed as Santas ran through central Krasnodar in shorts and festive hats despite sub-zero temperatures.
- The Krasnodar Santa run ended with a photoshoot and a circle dance around the city Christmas tree outside the registry office.
- The event was reported by the Readovka Telegram channel and drew attention as a cheerful, pre-holiday public stunt.
