New York Dearest
The guide, $35
An event · Various · on two of my lists

SantaCon.

Only if, says Antonina. Love it or hate it, there's no denying that SantaCon draws an enthusiastic crowd come December.

Antonina Pattiz
Antonina PattizI went myself · from my guide to SantaCon
What this page is

Everything I’ve written about SantaCon on New York Dearest, in one place. It’s on two of my lists, Best free things to do at Christmas in New York and Best things to do in New York in December. I also wrote a whole guide to it, SantaCon NYC 2026, the date, the route and whether to bother. First what I go for, what to know and when I go, in my own words from those lists. Then every list it’s on with what I wrote there. At the end, where it is.

  1. SantaCon NYC 2026, the date, the route and whether to bother
  2. Best free things to do at Christmas in New YorkOnly if
  3. Best things to do in New York in DecemberOnly if

Before you go, in my words

Quoted from my own lists
What I go for

I suggest bringing a light jacket that ties around the waist.

From SantaCon NYC 2026, the date, the route and whether to bother
Good to know

Expect to wait outside busy bars while participating in SantaCon. December temperatures tend to be chilly while the bars themselves run hot (largely thanks to the crowds).

From SantaCon NYC 2026, the date, the route and whether to bother
When to go

SantaCon NYC goes from 10am to 8pm, but just because there’s an end time doesn’t mean people go home. Holiday festivities carry late into the night.

From SantaCon NYC 2026, the date, the route and whether to bother
Only if, says Antonina. Been? Say if you agree.

Where it appears on New York Dearest

Two of my lists
Only if

Festively-clad New Yorkers take to the streets for a massive pub crawl in the name of charity.

What I wrote thereFold it away

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that SantaCon draws an enthusiastic crowd come December. Festively-clad New Yorkers take to the streets for a massive pub crawl in the name of charity.

Obviously going bar hopping is going to cost a pretty penny, but the nonsensical Santa Clause convention is equally enjoyable from the sidelines. Arrive at the starting point (revealed closer to the date of the event) to admire the creative costumes and large crowds of rowdy locals.

Read it on the list
  • From my guide, checked September 2026.
Only if
What I wrote thereFold it away

SantaCon is an infamous event where thousands of tourists and locals dress up in Santa costumes and go on a pub crawl. Some folks love the event, viewing it as a lively and memorable way to make friends. Others hate it, with drunk Santas littering the streets and subways.

Needless to say, SantaCon is an annual event in NYC in December that you should know about. The event generally takes place in mid-December, and the meeting point of the crawl is announced closer to the event date. We have a complete guide for SantaCon with photos from previous year’s festivities.

Read it on the list

Where it is

In Various.

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