FAQs

Get in the holiday spirit and join your fellow Santas while enjoying food and drinks at local bars and helping out a good cause.

SantaCon is a convention for “Santas” of all walks to gather and have a great time while doing public good and spreading holiday cheer.  Attendees are asked to dress up head to toe in a full Santa suit or other holiday garb and bring non-perishable food items to donate to the local food bank at Franklin Community Center.

Don’t own a Santa costume? They shouldn’t be hard to find this time of year, or feel free to create one yourself out of red clothes you already own! Would you rather be an elf, Mrs. Claus, a reindeer or other holiday character? You are welcome to choose whatever character best suits you!

From Putnam Den, SantaCon Saratoga will follow a loose course from bar to bar, or you can set your own course and let the holiday spirit be your guide. A list of participating bars will be available the week prior to the event.

SantaCon FAQs:

What is SantaCon?
SantaCon is a non-denominational, non-commercial, non-political and non-sensical Santa Claus convention that occurs once a year for absolutely no reason.It’s your chance to spread holiday cheer in the most magical and absurd way possible.

What isn’t Santacon?
SantaCon is not a bar crawl. Every time you call it that, a sugarplum fairy dies.

Do I have to dress as Santa?
Santa only gets jolly with those in full, head-to-toe costume.
Just wearing a Santa hat doesn’t cut it – you will be jeered off the sleigh.

Can I be an elf or toy soldier or dreidel instead?
Ho-ho-hell yes. Santa loves creativity.

What should I bring?

  • Non-perishable food items for Santa’s food drive.
  • Comfortable footwear.
  • Cash for food and drinks. (Tip bartenders and waitstaff well for putting up with Santa!)
  • Gifts, games, props, and performances to entertain Santas and strangers alike.
  • Your jolliest Christmas spirit!

What shouldn’t I bring?

  • Open containers of alcohol.
    You will be arrested, and Santa won’t feel sorry for you.

What can I do to prepare?

  • Make a costume.
  • Read Stories From SantaCon for ideas and inspiration (http://storiesfromsantacon.tumblr.com/).
  • Brush up on all Christmas Carol lyrics.
  • Get a good night’s sleep and eat a big breakfast.
  • Know your limits and pace yourself. If you plan to drink, do so responsibly.
  • Plan to keep an eye on your friends and fellow Santa!
  • Watch SantaCon: True or False (http://www.youtube.com/embed/PMnyzA6F3lQ)
  • DON’T BE AN A** (it’s Christmas for #%*ks sake.)

Where do I sign up?
Sign up in person at the North Pole, two sleigh-lengths past Rudolph’s stable and just outside of the candy cane forest.

Or, watch for updates on this page!