Three postal workers set off on Saturday on their nearly 3000-km bicycle journey from St Nikolaus, Germany, to the small town of Rovaniemi, Finland — home to Santa Claus Village.

They are travelling north to bring letters and Christmas wish lists addressed to Santa Claus from St Nikolaus, in Germany’s Saarland state, to the winter-themed amusement park perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle. 

St Nikolaus himself, with his long purple cape and a tall golden staff, was on hand on Saturday to hand over the letters to the three elves.