94% of you will ask, what is SantaCon? It’s a Santa Conference, of course! Thousands of men, women and even children and pets dressed as Santa moving around New York City en masse spreading good tidings and holiday cheer (with a few drinks along the way). As soon as Andy and I found out about it we had just one question: Where do we sign up? There aren’t many rules, there isn’t much structure. They announce the meet-up location the night before and you must dress up. And no, just wearing a Santa hat and jeans is not enough.
A quick photo in the elevator before we hit the streets. You can imagine the surprise of the woman getting on the elevator to find it packed with Santas! She smiled, stepped back, took a photo and we started singing carols together.
Here we are in the lobby of our friend’s building before heading out.
Thousands of Santas descend on North Cove Marina, Battery Park! Tourists and people who didn’t know about SantaCon were incredibly confused but also wildly enthusiastic. Kids were wide-eyed and full of smiles as we walked through the streets in a herd.
But not everyone came as Santa. Note the snowman!
Santa on stilts!
Darth Vader Santa, Deadmau5 Santa, a woman dressed as a present, and a ‘Sons of Santarchy’ Santa. The front said, “North Pole Original.”
This was by far my favorite: Any other ‘Sons of Anarchy’ fans out there?
These Santa mimes were loving all the attention they were getting.
Revolutionary War Santa!
Andy and me. Clearly this is our Christmas Card photo.
This was pretty original. A Christmas Tree!
This woman’s costume was absolutely stunning. Some people went far above and beyond just throwing on a Santa suit, which inspired me to do more for next year!
In the evening, as Andy and I walked home via Times Square, we found hundreds of other Santas. They had taken over the Ruby-Red Steps and formed a pick-up choir singing Christmas Carols. Of course we joined them in a rousing rendition of “Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer.” Onlookers and tourists took hundreds of photos and chanted along with us, “Ho! Ho! Ho!” What a joy the day was, from start to finish. If I wasn’t feeling in the Christmas spirit then, I certainly am now!
That is amazing! What an experience! I would be dreaming of santas for months!!
Looks like so much fun! What’s the collective noun for Santas? A sleigh of Santa’s? A gift of Santa’s? A festive of Santas?
When I first heard about this event I have to say I was a little skeptical. I’d join you next year but from the looks of the crowd, I’d probably be one of the oldest there! But what fun for the young!