More than 300 'Santas' tour Brussels on Harley-Davidsons

About 340 people dressed as Santa Claus on Sunday rode 286 Harley-Davidson Motorcycles through the streets of Brussels, before ending their tour at the Winter Wonders Christmas market, where the motorcyclists handed out candy and gifts.

The caravan of Harleys departed from Rue de Noyer in Schaerbeek before cruising past Woluwe shopping centre, Park Cinquantenaire and Rue de la Loi. They then gathered at the Christmas market in the centre of Brussels.

"This year we had a record number of participants, it was a real success," said Eric Bosman, spokesperson for the event, on brusselnieuws.be. "It was the first time that we did not request permission beforehand from the City of Brussels or the police, and there were no accidents."

Bosman noted that there were fewer people on the Christmas market than in previous years. "But we were very warmly received,” he said. “This parade is our way of trying to change the 'bad boy' image that some people have of Harley riders."