Santacon: Because Nothing Says "Holiday Spirit" Like Drunk Santas on Scooters
by Hella Cliques
June 27, 2025
SantaCon, the annual event where thousands of grown adults dress as Santa Claus, descend on city streets, and proceed to turn eggnog into chaos, is back—and it’s messier than a reindeer on roller skates. What started in the 1990s as an art prank by the Cacophony Society (aka the original trolls of public space) has mutated into a global booze-fueled holiday flash mob. Think less "ho ho ho" and more "no no no."
The original idea? Satirize consumerism and spread weird cheer. The modern execution? Tipsy St. Nicks stumbling into bars, twerking in department stores, and confusing the life out of confused tourists and traumatized children. New York City’s SantaCon is still the main event, where you can witness scenes like 300 Santas crammed into a subway car chanting off-key carols while someone dressed as “Sexy Elf on the Shelf” vapes glitter.
Despite being a charitable event (some years raise thousands for local causes), it’s mostly remembered for hangovers, street closures, and baffled Uber drivers. Critics call it “a frat party in a Santa suit,” but fans call it tradition.
Either way, SantaCon proves one thing: Christmas spirit comes in many forms—sometimes holding a Solo cup. 🎅🍻
SantaCon has been held annually since 1994, with a few bumps along the sleigh ride.
🎅 Origin Story:
1994: The very first SantaCon took place in San Francisco, organized by the Cacophony Society as a surrealist, anti-consumerist street performance called “Santarchy.”
It quickly spread to other cities, becoming less about surreal pranks and more about red suits, booze, and public mischief.
🗓️ Annual Mayhem:
From 1994 to 2019, SantaCon events happened every year in major cities around the world—New York, London, Tokyo, Moscow, Sydney, and many others.
2020: Most in-person SantaCons were canceled or scaled way down due to the COVID-19 pandemic (because drunk Santas in close quarters don’t scream “social distancing”).
2021–present: SantaCon came roaring back in many cities with full force—often with even less irony and even more bar crawls.
📍Where it's happening:
SantaCon has taken place in over 300 cities globally, though the New York City version remains the most infamous.
So in short:
SantaCon has been held every year since 1994, except for a brief COVID pause in 2020—and yes, it’s still happening, like clockwork, whether we want it to or not.
