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 some good old-fashioned day drinking in the name of charity. Last year, I decided to brace the congested streets to get a firsthand account of the boozy affair, here’s what you need to know about participating in SantaCon in NYC (or how to avoid it!).
Note from Antonina about 2024 Christmas Itineraries: Some longtime readers have asked if I’ll be offering the custom 4-day itineraries that sold out last year. Sadly, I won’t have the time to make those this year (pregnancy, I tell you), so instead I’m offering the personalized 4 Day Itinerary I created for my own family and friends.
It’s hefty (30 pages to be exact) but it includes non-negotiable Christmas activities and a handful of iconic NYC landmarks you can’t afford to miss if you’re visiting NYC for four days (in addition to personalized restaurant recommendations).
It took me five years to perfect the guide but I think it will help you make the most use of your time in the city.
Due to limited time and energy (naps are a daily occurrence around here now!) I’m limiting the guide to 50 sales so that I can personally address snafus and answer questions. As of August 23, 2024 there are 23 guides remaining. You can find more information here.
New York City SantaCon (2024 Guide)
(Click Here for the Table of Contents)
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The 10 Best Neighborhoods for First Timers & 3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
What is SantaCon?
New York City’s SantaCon is a nonsensical Santa Clause convention where New Yorkers (mostly the younger crowd) dress up as Santa Clause and go on a pub crawl en masse while donating to charities. Participating couldn’t be easier: dress up, donate and drink.
All donations are split between the chosen charity for the year (in 2023, donations were used to fund the arts). Averaging 30,000 participants a year, SantaCon in New York City is a very popular affair. If you’re not keen on crowds of boozy locals congesting the streets, you may want to avoid the event altogether, up to you!
When is SantaCon NYC 2024?
In 2024, SantaCon will take place on Saturday December 14th, 2024. The starting point remains a mystery until a week before the event takes place. Typically, the event starts at 10am and runs until 8pm. But let’s get real – Santa seldom makes it back to the North Pole by 8pm.
2024 SantaCon Route
Part of the excitement of SantaCon is not knowing where the pub crawl will take place. Register online and you’ll receive an email with the starting point and participating bars in the week leading up to the event. You’ll also get directions on where to pick up your SantaCon badge, which shows you’ve donated to the cause and are therefore part of Santa’s squad.
How to Participate in SantaCon in NYC
There are two ways to join SantaCon in NYC:
- Register for the event on the official website ($15 charity donation). Once registered, you’ll receive details about the event like the route and SantaCon specials worth knowing about.
- Follow along on social media. The annual tradition draws a large crowd and folks don’t stay tight-lipped for long. As the date approaches, the starting point of SantaCon NYC will be shared with the public. From there, continue to follow the crowd.
Regardless of how you choose to participate in SantaCon NYC, make sure to dress the part!
What to Wear to SantaCon
Decking out in festive apparel is a must. The more outlandish, the better. You won’t get turned away if you don’t dress for the occasion, but that misses the point. Locals fully embrace the absurd nature of the event and go all out for SantaCon NYC, so follow suit (some pun intended).
Here’s a quick roundup of the most popular outfits to wear to SantaCon:
- Santa Claus
- Mrs. Claus
- Reindeer
- Elves
- The Grinch
- Christmas tree
- Gingerbread
Helpful Tips & Advice
Cash is king: While most bars won’t have a cover charge, some go all out with DJs or special events and charge $15. This is a charitable charge and will be donated to the year’s cause.
Bring your ID: You must be 21+ to participate in SantaCon NYC. Minors can march in the parade and watch from the sidelines but are prohibited from entering bars and pubs.
Pace yourself and hydrate well: You know the drill, stay ahead of the booze by pacing yourself well. The event runs from 10am to 8pm, that’s a full day of drinking, if you plan to attend SantaCon 2024 with a group of friends, chances are high your alcohol consumption will skyrocket. I swear by these little life-savers.
Pregame if you’re on a budget: Santacon NYC doesn’t mean free beer. If you plan on bar-crawling on a budget, consider cracking a few beers at home with your friends beforehand.
Take advantage of restrooms when you find them: One of the big reasons some locals despise SantaCon is the obscene increase in public urination. If there’s a bathroom at a bar USE IT. If you have a friend who lives nearby, you know what to do. Don’t add to the problem, try to find a public bathroom or consider calling it a night.
Dress warm: 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). I suggest bringing a light jacket that ties around the waist. Here’s the jacket I tag along.
Don’t be obnoxious: Participating bars have every right to deny entry to anyone that has reached a drinking limit or is being abrasive. SantaCon is about spreading holiday cheer, if you’re obviously intoxicated don’t expect a free pass, your night may be cut short.
How to Avoid SantaCon
Crowds, chaos and intoxicated locals, if SantaCon sounds like your idea of hell, here’s a few tips for avoiding SantaCon NYC.
- Stay away from busy neighborhoods: The East Village and Midtown take the brunt of the event. Traditionally, these two neighborhoods have the lion’s share of participating bars, so avoid the areas at all costs.
- Consider a cozy night at home during the event: Mark your calendar, set alarms, do whatever you need to remember the event takes place December 14, 2024. Do something cozy at home and know that tomorrow is a new day with less Santa hats (and hangovers) involved.
- Just because SantaCon has an end time, doesn’t mean SantaCon “has an end time.” The event is billed as ending at 8pm but good luck enforcing that with a mob of boozy Santas. Hell, some participants would argue that’s when the party gets interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions
SantaCon NYC is an epic annual booze-filled event in the Big Apple. Flocks of folks come from all over the city dressed in festive holiday costumes and indulge in a massive pub crawl. The event is really quite simple, you donate, you dress up and you drink.
SantaCon NYC is on Saturday, December 14th, 2024 from 10am to 8pm. The location will be disclosed leading up to the event, stay tuned.
Steer clear of Midtown and the East Village during NYC SantaCon on December 14th, 2024, where participating bars are concentrated. Opt for a Netflix night at home, as the event’s end time doesn’t mean the festivities are over, with after parties extending the chaos. If venturing out, avoid bars in popular areas to dodge the SantaCon mayhem altogether.
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.
New York City Christmas Guides
Christmas in New York City: 20 MAGICAL Things to Do (And 5 to Avoid!)
Winter Packing Tips: What to Wear in New York City in the Winter (+Packing List)
Where to Shop for Christmas: 10 Cheerful Christmas Markets in New York City (Worth the Visit!)
Ice Skating in New York: 10 Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York City (+ Where to Skate For FREE!)
Christmas on a Budget: 20 Free Things to Do During Christmas in New York City
Where to Drink on Christmas: 10 Bars Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in New York City
Festive Cocktails: 15 Christmas Pop Up Bars in New York City (Worth Waiting in Line For)
Restaurants open on Christmas: 20 Toothsome Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in New York City
The Capital of Christmas: 10 Festive Things to Do at the Rockefeller Center during Christmas
Prettiest Window Displays: 10 Wonderful Window Displays in New York City (Local’s Guide)
Dyker Heights Guide: Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Guide
Best Christmas Decorations: 15 Epic New York City Christmas Restaurants You’re Sure to Love
What to Gift a New Yorker: New York Gifts | For New Yorkers & Die-Hard NYC Lovers
Best Hot Cocoa: 20 Best Cups of Hot Chocolate in NYC (Local’s Guide)
And there you have it! I hope you found this quick guide on everything to know about SantaCon NYC helpful. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.
Cheers (and good luck)!
Hello. Are there ever any vendors at any of the SantaCons? If so, how does that process work? Thank you.
Hey Kel, there were no vendors last year at SantaCon.