Real-life 'Bad Santa' has meltdown, yells profanities at kids while parents watch in horror

When fire alarms were activated at the event, Santa apparently became foul-mouthed and angry among a crowd of parents and children trying to evacuate. (Photo: Getty Images)
When fire alarms were activated at the event, Santa apparently became foul-mouthed and angry among a crowd of parents and children trying to evacuate. (Photo: Getty Images)

Parents are outraged and demanding answers after a man dressed as Santa Claus burst into children’s music event and started swearing at about 50 kids and parents in attendance as he attempted to evacuate the building with the rest of them.

The incident happened on Sunday at the St. Ives Corn Exchange in Cambridge, England, where the kids were enjoying Blow Your Whistle, a family rave with DJs and dancing. Elsewhere in the building, Santa was in his grotto during a gift fair hosted by the volunteer organization Festival Events St. Ives (FESt). Suddenly, fire alarms were activated in the Charter Hall, a spot near the FESt event, according to a statement from the organization.

This prompted Santa to spring up from his seat and flee — but he was anything but jolly. A mom who wishes to remain anonymous told Cambridgeshire Live, “People were in the process of vacating the building and in came angry Santa swearing, using the most vile language, ripping off his hat and beard with steam literally coming from his ears.” She said it was the smoke machine from Blow Your Whistle that had triggered the alarm.

Another parent was so horrified by Santa’s foul-mouthed intrusion that he took to FESt’s Facebook page to complain. “The guy dressed as Santa at the corn exchange is [an] absolute disgrace,” wrote Stiv Es. “He came charging in, ripped his hat and beard off in front of 50 odd kids and started shouting and swearing at people to leave. You should be ashamed of yourself acting like that in front of children,” Es continued. Another mom told Cambridgeshire Live, “My friend’s little boy was upset as his dad was carrying him when Santa told them ‘to get the f*** out.'”

It was like a scene straight out of the holiday comedy film Bad Santa, some parents noted. But one parent said she was grateful her kids took the Christmas nightmare in stride. “My children thankfully didn’t take too much notice. They asked why Santa was being horrible after they heard the crowd outside talking about it.”

Parents have demanded FESt have a stern word with Santa — but in its statement to Yahoo Lifestyle, the organization defended his frantic outburst, saying St. Nick was just trying to help. Santa was upstairs in his grotto, an event organized by Festival Events St. Ives (a voluntary organization) and immediately assisted in the evacuation of the building,” the statement reads. “FESt wish to apologize for any offense or distress caused to parents and children by the attempts to ensure all visitors and staff had exited the building and were safe.”

But for many in attendance, the damage is already done. One parent even told Cambridgeshire Live how they came up with a creative explanation for Santa’s rude behavior: “We told our children he wasn’t the real Santa. He was an imposter and will be going on the naughty list.”

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.