SantaCon returned to Manhattan on Saturday, Dec. 13, once again turning Midtown and parts of the city into a sea of red suits, elf hats, bar lines, and very mixed opinions. Now, a new documentary is leaning into that love hate relationship, showing the chaos in full view while also making the case that SantaCon did not start out as a drunken free for all.
A film that tries to explain how SantaCon got so messy
The film, “SantaCon,” is directed by Seth Porges (known for Class Action Park), and it traces how a 1990s counterculture idea evolved into what many New Yorkers describe as the most dreaded bar crawl of the year. The documentary premiered at DOC NYC on Nov. 13, 2025, with Q&As that included some of the original creators and participants.
Porges says the story changed once he got access to rare archival footage and interviews, revealing an earlier version of the event that leaned more “street theater” than “pub crawl.”
From San Francisco street theater to NYC “nightmare before Christmas”
SantaCon began in San Francisco in 1994, linked to the Cacophony Society, and spread to other cities, including New York in 1998. Over time, what started as playful satire and performance art shifted into a massive, and often rowdy, annual drinking event.
The documentary leans into that transformation, including the uneasy feelings of founders who are not thrilled with what the event became, and the reality that the modern SantaCon is still very much alive, especially in New York
How NYC prepared this year, MTA alcohol ban, heavy police presence
Ahead of the Dec. 13 crawl, officials and transit agencies again focused on crowd control and reducing alcohol fueled disorder. The MTA banned alcohol on Metro North and the LIRR from 4 a.m. Saturday until noon Sunday, and outlets reported increased enforcement at major hubs like Penn Station and Grand Central.
FOX 5 also reported the event’s starting point near Broadway and 40th Street, and noted expectations of serious street congestion in Midtown as thousands moved between “Santa welcoming” venues.
The official pitch: costumes, charity, and “don’t be that Santa”
SantaCon’s NYC organizers continue to frame the event as a charitable tradition and publish a “Santa Code” urging attendees to wear full costumes, tip bar staff, avoid fights, leave no trash behind, and respect the NYPD.
The group also promotes its charity drive, including a partnership with NYC Marines Toys for Tots, which it says has helped expand its giving efforts in recent years.
