Party Like You're Old Saint Nick at SantaCon This Season

Every holiday season, cities across the globe come alive with swarms of red suits and holiday cheer as thousands of Santas gather together for SantaCon—a day of playful celebration. What started in San Francisco in the mid-1990s has evolved into a global gathering where adults embrace holiday costumes and community while enjoying a city-wide bar crawl. Though it’s all about having fun, many local events also incorporate charitable giving along the way.

Why Go to SantaCon?

SantaCon is a silly way to get into the spirit of the season! This adults-only event encourages folks to put their differences aside and simply come together to spread some absurdist joy. Attendees can expect bar hopping, costumes, theatricality, and fun. 

Many SantaCons also encourage a donation or ticket purchase, with proceeds going to charity. For instance, this year the SantaCon in NYC is supporting the City Parks Foundation, The Children’s Heart Foundation’s Congenital Heart Walk, Materials for the Arts, City Harvest, and the Burning Man Project.

What to Expect — A Typical SantaCon Experience

At SantaCon, dressing up is a big deal, so if you plan to attend, make sure to don your best Santa suit, elf costume, holiday sweater, or reindeer antlers. Participating cities typically have their own website or event posting that details the city's specific mapped route through participating bars. Some SantaCons also require a wristband for entry into the bars, but SantaCon.info itself does not accept money from organizers or participants.

SantaCon Reminders

While SantaCon is an event that promotes enjoying your favorite spirits, organizers want to remind attendees of the importance of sticking to the Santa Code—be kind to others, leave your opinions on politics, religion, and other controversial topics at home, and do not drink more than you can handle. Please also remember to follow your city’s open container laws and make sure to plan a safe ride home. 

Find a SantaCon Near You

SantaCon events will begin on November 28th and continue through December 21st in cities across the United States, Canada, Germany, Puerto Rico, England, and Slovakia. You can find a full list of participating locations here.

And for the folks looking to discover more holiday events across the nation, follow us @thechristmas.com, subscribe to our email newsletter, and check out our Featured Events and Events Near You.