RAMALLAH, West Bank — Fadi Nassar, an 11-year-old from Ramallah, was euphoric in his Santa hat as he clasped his balloon. Despite the cold, he was walking along with the Christmas caravan as it roamed the streets of this West Bank city just north of Jerusalem. The caravanners sang carols and other songs as a man dressed as Santa Claus leaned out to distribute candy to children in the streets.

This year, the Christmas caravan took off from Bethlehem Dec. 19 and arrived in Ramallah Dec. 21. It then traveled to Zababdeh in Jenin — the north of the West Bank — and finally ended in Jericho Dec. 26. 

The caravan brought some festivity to Bethlehem, a focal point in Christmas celebrations every year, as Israel blocks Christians in the Gaza Strip from visiting the birthplace of Jesus and the venue of some of the oldest Christian — both Catholic and Orthodox — churches.

Each of the six floats that made up the parade presented a scene to fascinate the small children who chase it down the streets: the nativity scene in Bethlehem or Santa’s workshop. The first — where Santa distributed candies — was pulled by two artificial golden reindeer.