Just before noon, Union Square had already become 1/4 filled with Santas. The sight of so many people dressed as Santa brought smiles to the faces of tourists.

A cheerful bunch of Santas held up a homemade sign that read, "Merry Christmas." Note how two of the Santas were armed with candy canes.

A fence surrounded and protected the Christmas Tree in Union Square. One consequence of this fence was less room for Santas to gather.

Many who gathered appeared unable to escape the need for their handheld devices. Three were busy with smart-phones, while only one was busy with a bottle of water.

One shot captured a cross-section of the many folks in attendance that noontime.

Six minutes past the starting time of noon, dozens upon dozens of Santas continued to pour into Union Square.

Santas filled the sidewalks on both sides of Geary Boulevard and Powell Street. Not all Santas were dressed in red.

On the sidewalk at the corner of Stockton Street and Geary Boulevard, one young girl pointed at the gathering of Santas on Union Square.