Hearing the name “SantaCon,” for those who are already familiar, will likely either evoke a laugh and pleasant response, or one of deep annoyance. Immediately, they are able to remember the images of years past with hundreds upon hundreds of people dressed up as Santa Claus roaming their city’s streets. But where did this polarizing, festive event come from? Let’s get into it—after all, here comes Santacon, here comes Santacon! Here at Parade.com, we’re all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
What is SantaCon?
SantaCon is celebrated as an annual pub crawl where participants—all dressed up like Santa Claus—spend the day drinking at different participating bars. As the SantaCon website says, “What is it? A SantaCon is a convention of santas - groups of men & women dressed like Santa. Why do it? Because it’s fun. That is all. It’s one of the few chances left for adults to be silly without any kind of agenda.” However, even though it is fun, it isn’t family fun. The website emphasizes that unless your city’s specific event says that it’s family-friendly, you should assume it is not. There are also some rules and guidelines to look over if you are planning to attend a local event, including serious warnings to not drink and drive, suggestions to address your fellow Santas as “Santa” and dress up in Santa Claus or Christmas-themed garb, and more.
When was the first SantaCon?
While an event of Santa-garbed people began in 1974 as an anti-consumerism demonstration, it wasn’t until 1994 that the first official SantaCon took place, which happened in San Francisco.
When and where is SantaCon happening in 2022?
SantaCon is happening in so many locations across the country this year! We’ve got the list here:
Thursday, December 8:
Delray Beach, Florida
Saturday, December 10:
Ashtabula, OhioBethlehem, PennsylvaniaBoston, MassachusettsCincinnati, OhioDallas, TexasDavenport, IowaDecatur, GeorgiaFort Collins, ColoradoHarrisburg, PennsylvaniaHouston, TexasKansas City, MissouriLos Angeles, CaliforniaMassillon, OhioMiami, FloridaMontebello, CaliforniaNashville, TennesseeNew Bern, North CarolinaNew York, New YorkOcean City, MarylandPalmer, AlaskaPaonia, ColoradoPatterson, CaliforniaPhoenix, ArizonaPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaRedwood City, CaliforniaRockaway Beach, OregonSan Francisco, CaliforniaSavannah, GeorgiaSeattle, WashingtonSonoma, CaliforniaSouth Windsor, ConnecticutSt Louis, MissouriState College, PennsylvaniaVentura, CaliforniaWilmington, North Carolina
Thursday, December 15
Mystic, Connecticut
Friday, December 16
Benicia, CaliforniaBryan College Station, TexasChicago, Illinois
Saturday, December 17
Atlanta, GeorgiaBloomington, IndianaCampbell, CaliforniaCharleston, South CarolinaCocoa Village, FloridaColchester, ConnecticutContra Costa County, CaliforniaFort Lauderdale, FloridaHouston, TexasKansas City, MissouriManassas, VirginiaMcKinney, TexasMilford, ConnecticutMonterey, CaliforniaPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaPlainfield, IllinoisPortland, Oregon,San Rafael, CaliforniaSand City, CaliforniaSaratoga Springs, New YorkSeaside Heights, New JerseySeattle, WashingtonSioux Falls, South DakotaSt Petersburg, FloridaTemecula, CaliforniaWashington, D.C.
Past SantaCon events 2022
Friday, December 2
Santa Cruz, CaliforniaFredericksburg, Virginia
Saturday, December 3
Asheville, North CarolinaAustin, TexasCharlotte, North CarolinaFelton, CaliforniaFort Worth, TexasHagerstown, MarylandHayward, CaliforniaIndianapolis, IndianaKent Island, MarylandLawrence, KansasMayville, WisconsinMichigan City, IndianaNapa, CaliforniaNewport, Rhode IslandNorfolk, VirginiaPensacola, FloridaPortland, MaineStamford, ConnecticutTucson, ArizonaWesterly, Rhode IslandWindsor, California
SantaCon outfit ideas
Three options to give you some inspiration if you’re interested in attending a SantaCon celebration this year. Next up, Ho Ho Holiday Knowledge: How Old Is Santa? Where Does Santa Live? All the Santa Facts You Ever Needed to Know
