RIO DE JANEIRO — This holiday season, Santa Claus has made a splash in Rio de Janeiro, quite literally, as he takes a dive into the city’s AquaRio Marine Aquarium. Starting Saturday, visitors can witness this unique festive event as Santa swims alongside sharks during the aquarium’s daily fish feeding sessions, adding a magical underwater twist to the Christmas celebrations.

Nine-year-old Guilherme Martins Matos expressed his excitement about the event. Although he had encountered Santa or a look-alike in shopping malls before, nothing compared to the thrill of seeing him submerged in water. “Imagine him under water feeding the fish? It’s even cooler,” Guilherme shared, highlighting the uniqueness of the experience.

The festive Santa persona is played by Felippe Luna, a 39-year-old senior animal handler at AquaRio. What started as a playful idea among the AquaRio staff has blossomed into a beloved annual tradition. Dressed in a Santa suit, Luna enters the aquarium’s massive 924,602-gallon tank to engage with the marine creatures, including the sharks. “For the kids, seeing Santa Claus under water is already incredible. And Santa feeding a shark by hand? That’s unforgettable,” remarked Luna, emphasizing the joy it brings to children.

This captivating underwater Santa experience will take place every day at AquaRio, continuing through December 25 at 1:30 p.m., ensuring that families can enjoy this extraordinary holiday attraction.