Santacon 2025: Painting Manhattan Red

Mark your calendars! Santacon 2025 kicks off in New York on December 13. Soon, you’ll see Manhattan filled with folks dressed as Santa and other holiday characters, playfully mingling and asking for drinks.

This year’s festivities will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., attracting thousands of revelers who will bar hop like a jolly version of a bull run during the Christmas season.

To help both participants and onlookers, we’ve put together a guide on how to navigate this Santa wave.

What is Santacon?

Initially launched in San Francisco in 1994 as a playful critique of Christmas consumerism, Santacon has transformed into a global tradition, with New York hosting the most extravagant of them all.

To the uninitiated, a Santacon gathering is essentially a bunch of people parading through New York, decked out in various holiday costumes—from reindeer to elves—though Santa remains the star of the show.

As the organizers put it, “SantaCon is a charitable, apolitical, no-nonsense Santa Claus convention held once a year to spread absurd joy.”

Participants typically gather at a secret starting point, often between Broadway and West 39th Street, then follow a route through various bars and venues throughout the day.

You can track the group’s movement live through the “Hello Santa NYC” app and social media, adding an element of surprise to the event.

If you’re looking to join in on this festive adventure, tickets are available for $17, with proceeds going to charity.

In previous years, Santacon has collaborated with organizations like City Park Foundation, Children’s Heart Foundation, and City Harvest, among others. Although, there were instances where some funds went to the likes of Burning Man and crypto-related ventures.

Tips for Being Nice

Organizers aim to keep the event lighthearted and enjoyable, so they offer some guidelines to prevent chaos reminiscent of a Christmas movie gone wrong.

First off, bring cash! Bars can become crowded, and having cash means less waiting and more merry-making.

Secondly, get into the spirit—don your best Christmas attire from head to toe, not just a last-minute hat.

Participants are also advised against fighting, littering, public urination, climbing on cars, and excessive drinking. “Santa doesn’t drink more than he can handle,” they emphasize, reminding folks to look out for each other and the event’s future.