Santa Claus and Rockettes stop traffic in NYC

This image released by Starpix shows The Rockettes dressed as toy soldiers and rag dolls at Radio City Music Hall in New York, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, kicking off the 2014 “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” which starts Nov. 7. AP

NEW YORK — The calendar says August, but that didn’t stop Santa Claus from visiting midtown Manhattan and snarling a section of Sixth Avenue, much to the bafflement of tourists and the frustration of drivers forced to idle their vehicles.

Father Christmas, along with 15 Rockettes costumed as rag dolls, stood on a Radio City Music Hall porch on Thursday as 12 Rockettes dressed as toy soldiers marched on the street below to perform the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.”

It was a 6-minute promotional event — complete with a belching snow machine — for “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” which starts Nov. 7.

“Merry Christmas!” said Santa. “And I want to see you all at the show this year.”

For the record, there are 132 days until Christmas.