Waterskiing Santa Returns To Alexandria Waterfront In 2022

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Despite a frigid forecast, Waterskiing Santa and his helpers will return to the Alexandria waterfront to put on a show Christmas Eve.

The Waterskiing Santa show is back in person for the first time since 2019. In 2020, the event was held virtually. The 2021 event was cancelled, per direction from the city government.

This year, the event is happened at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve Saturday at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street, Alexandria, VA. Spectators can come early to view the pre-show starting around 12:45 p.m. After the show, Santa and friends will meet spectators from 1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. The event will be available in person and Facebook Live.

It's going to be a chilly day for the show. The Christmas Eve forecast for Alexandria calls for a high of 25 degrees and low of 14.

Before you head out, check the Waterskiing Santa Facebook page in case a cancellation is announced.

You might be wondering who decided to strap on water skis and brave the cold Potomac River. Waterskiing Santa started in 1986, as a group of friends made a bet and drew straws to determine who would go waterskiing in the freezing water. The one who lost the bet had to go out waterskiing in a Santa suit on Christmas Eve.

But while the tradition could have ended there, the team decided to do it again. Today, the show is a Christmas Eve tradition run by "Papa Noel" and other volunteers. It takes volunteers willing to brave the cold as well as help drive boats, dress characters and manage radio communications.

Check out a video recording of the 2020 Waterskiing Santa show as a preview.