The holiday season in New York City just got a whole lot rowdier. Today, Saturday, December 13, 2025, thousands of revelers dressed as Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, and other festive characters are descending upon Manhattan for the annual SantaCon NYC 2025, transforming the city into a massive holiday pub crawl that has become one of the most talked-about events of the season.
The festivities kicked off at 10 a.m. at the starting point of Broadway and West 39th Street in Midtown Manhattan. From there, the sea of red-suited participants will make their way through more than 50 participating bars and venues across Midtown and the East Village in what organizers describe as a charitable, nonsensical Santa Claus convention designed to spread absurdist joy.
How SantaCon NYC 2025 Works
SantaCon operates as a roving bar crawl with no fixed route announced in advance. The event’s organizers release participating venue locations through their official app, Hello Santa NYC, and social media channels throughout the day. This keeps the crowds moving and prevents any single location from becoming overwhelmed.
Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets, which function as donations to charitable causes. The standard donation is $17 per person, which provides access to special venues that offer perks like DJs, holiday decorations, and priority entry. Some venues offer a VIP ticket option for $360, which includes line-cutting privileges and an exclusive keepsake badge. Most bars along the route remain free to enter without a donation, though they may reach capacity quickly.
The event requires participants to wear full, head-to-toe holiday-themed costumes. Organizers make it clear that simply wearing a Santa hat does not meet the requirement. Creative costumes are encouraged, with past participants dressing as everything from robot Santas to the Great Hanukkah Harry.
Weather Conditions for Today’s Event
Revelers can expect chilly but manageable conditions today. Temperatures are hovering around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, with highs reaching into the low 40s. While not bitterly cold by December standards, participants are advised to layer underneath their costumes to stay warm throughout the all-day event that runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The relatively mild temperatures should make the outdoor portions of the bar crawl more comfortable than in years when winter weather has been harsh. Still, with wind chill and hours spent moving between venues, proper winter gear remains essential.
The Santa Code: Rules Participants Must Follow
SantaCon organizers have established a strict code of conduct known as the Santa Code. The rules emphasize respect for bar staff, children, police officers, and the city itself. Key requirements include treating bartenders well and tipping generously, preferably in cash to speed up transactions during the chaotic day.
The code explicitly prohibits public urination, fighting, blocking streets, climbing on vehicles, and defacing property. Participants are reminded that NYPD officers will be present at every stop, and breaking laws carries serious consequences. The event’s survival depends on attendees acting responsibly.
Organizers break down the rules simply: Do not mess with kids, cops, bar staff, the city, or the charity mission. Most importantly, participants should not mess themselves up by drinking beyond their limits. The event emphasizes that it should spread joy, not terror, vomit, or trash.
Where to Go and Where to Avoid
For those participating, the main action concentrates in Midtown Manhattan, particularly around Midtown East and West, before moving into the East Village. More than 50 bars and clubs are hosting revelers throughout the day. The exact list of participating venues becomes available through the official app and social media channels as the event progresses.
For New Yorkers looking to avoid the chaos, staying away from Midtown and the East Village is crucial. The Upper West Side, Harlem, and the upper and lower portions of Manhattan remain relatively clear of SantaCon activity. Residents of other boroughs should consider staying local if they want to dodge the crowds entirely.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has taken precautions as well. Alcohol is banned on Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road trains from 4 a.m. today until noon on Sunday, a standard measure implemented during SantaCon to maintain order on public transit.
The History Behind the Holiday Madness
SantaCon traces its roots back to 1994 in San Francisco, where it began as Santarchy, an event influenced by the Surrealist movement, Discordianism, and other subversive art movements. The original concept aimed to highlight the absurdity of American consumerist holiday traditions.
The event spread to other cities quickly, reaching Portland in 1996, Seattle in 1997, and both Los Angeles and New York in 1998. Over the past two decades, SantaCon has grown into a global phenomenon, taking place in 44 countries with countless variations.
New York City now hosts the largest SantaCon in the world, attracting massive crowds each year. The event has evolved from its anti-consumerist origins into a massive charitable fundraiser, though it remains controversial due to past incidents of bad behavior.
Charitable Goals and Controversies
Organizers position SantaCon as a charitable event, with ticket donations supporting various causes. Past beneficiaries have included City Harvest, The Ali Forney Center, The Secret Sandy Claus Project, Neighbors Together, Dance Parade New York, and Materials for the Arts.
However, the event has faced scrutiny over how funds are allocated. Previous investigations have raised questions about financial management and where donation money ultimately goes. Despite these controversies, organizers maintain that the charitable mission remains central to the event.
Impact on Local Businesses
The economic impact on participating bars and restaurants is substantial. Some establishments have reported that SantaCon is their best day of the year, surpassing even New Year’s Eve and Halloween in revenue. The sheer volume of customers flowing through their doors in a single day creates a significant boost to the bottom line.
However, the event also creates challenges. Bar staff face one of their most demanding days of the year, dealing with massive crowds, rapid transactions, and the occasional difficult customer. This is why the Santa Code emphasizes treating service workers with respect and tipping well.
What Participants Should Bring
Beyond a full costume, participants should come prepared with several essentials. Cash is highly recommended, as it speeds up transactions at crowded bars. Valid identification is mandatory, as this is a 21-and-over drinking event at participating venues.
Comfortable shoes are crucial for a day of walking between locations. A fully charged phone, ideally with a portable battery pack, helps participants follow the route updates and stay connected with their group. A water bottle helps with hydration, especially important during a day of drinking.
Warm layers underneath costumes, hats, gloves, and scarves help combat the December chill. A reliable backpack can carry extra layers, water, and personal items without becoming burdensome.
Safety and Responsible Participation
The emphasis on responsible drinking cannot be overstated. SantaCon is a marathon, not a sprint, and pacing is essential to making it through the full day. Organizers encourage participants to eat a substantial breakfast and to know their limits.
Starting with stronger drinks early and switching to beer as the day progresses helps maintain stamina. The goal is to enjoy the event without becoming a burden to friends or requiring medical attention. Every year, some participants overindulge and must leave early, missing the full experience.
The Broader Holiday Context
SantaCon takes place during peak holiday season in New York City, when the city is already bustling with tourists and locals enjoying festive activities. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, holiday markets, ice skating rinks, and decorated store windows all contribute to the magical atmosphere.
For many participants, SantaCon represents a unique way to celebrate the season with friends, combining the joy of dressing up with the social aspects of a bar crawl. For others, it represents everything wrong with modern holiday celebrations, prioritizing drinking over more traditional observances.
Looking Ahead
As today’s event unfolds, organizers will be watching closely to ensure participants follow the Santa Code. The future of SantaCon NYC depends on revelers acting responsibly and respecting the city, its residents, and local businesses.
The event has evolved significantly since its 1994 origins, growing from a small countercultural protest into a massive annual tradition. Whether SantaCon continues to thrive depends largely on participants embracing the charitable mission and spreading joy rather than chaos through Manhattan’s streets.
Final Considerations
For the thousands of Santas hitting the streets today, the experience promises to be memorable. The combination of creative costumes, festive atmosphere, and communal celebration creates a unique energy that defines the event.
For those steering clear, patience and understanding go a long way. The event lasts just one day, and by Sunday morning, the city will return to its normal holiday rhythm. The key is knowing whether to embrace the absurdist joy or simply stay out of Midtown and the East Village until the Santas have moved on.
As the day progresses and social media fills with photos of red-suited revelers, one thing is certain: SantaCon NYC 2025 will once again prove to be one of the city’s most polarizing and unforgettable holiday traditions.
Will you join the thousands spreading holiday cheer through Manhattan today, or are you staying far away from the Santa chaos? Drop your thoughts and experiences below!