Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Here Comes SantaCon, Here Comes SantaCon, Right Down Run Away Way


By

John Del Signore

Published Nov 3, 2015

Modified Nov 4, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

"Miss me? I missed you."

 

Lum8tion / Flickr


By

John Del Signore

Published Nov 3, 2015

Modified Nov 4, 2015


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

DUUUUUUUDE it is ON. Spraypaint a giant red "X" on your calendar where it says December 12th, unless you use your cellphone's calendar, in which case you'll want to make sure the screen has one of those protective skins on it before you paint that "X" on it. (I learned this one the hard way.) Why December 12th? Oh, just a little charitable fundraising event called SantaCon! "This is awesome":

"This is amazing":

"This is really gonna make a difference":

Last year, after some city officials urged local bars to ban SantaCon participants, the NYPD seemed poised to crack down on Santas' disorderly conduct. But civil rights attorney Norman Siegel intervened on SantaCon's behalf, and the drunken flashmob proceeded apace—and in the midst of a massive political demonstration against police brutality. (See nauseating video above.) Now, according to SantaCon's website, on December 12th it's "TIME TO PAINT THE TOWN RED AND WHITE THE ELVES & I HAVE BEEN TINKERIN’ IN DA TOYSHOP, WE’RE COOKIN’ UP SOMETHING BRAND NEW THIS YEAR."

If that bracing caps lock bomb threat didn't get you in SantaCon spirit, take a few minutes read Lauren Evans's brave report from the front lines of SantaCon 2014. Forewarned is forearmed.

Tagged

santacon


John Del Signore

Twitter

Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?

Thanks to Dua Lipa, Kim Kardashian, Timothée Chalamet and more, the rideshare program is having a moment.

By

Lindsay Lee Wallace

Published Oct 8, 2026


Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?

If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.

By

James Ramsay

Arts & Entertainment

Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?

If you're playing tourist in your own town, this is an in-demand option.

By

James Ramsay


What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.

By

Jayson Greene

Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City

By

Sonia Rao

Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries

By

Alec Hamilton


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .