Will ‘Santas’ Be Able To Handle Their Booze At Hoboken Pub Crawl?

HOBOKEN, NJ — Love or hate it, the annual Santacon pub crawl is returning to Hoboken for 2018. And as local residents prepare for a holiday onslaught of liquored-up Christmas cosplayers, authorities are already starting a booze-related clampdown.

The 2018 Santacon pub crawl – which is not affiliated with the City of Hoboken – will take place at several bars throughout the city on Saturday, Dec. 15. (Learn more here)

Here’s how organizers describe the event, which regularly sees hundreds of participants, all clad in Santa hats and elf costumes:

“Picture thousands of Santa's and inebriated elves running wild through the streets of Hoboken and gaining access to some of the best bars you can imagine.”

While the majority of Santa’s helpers can handle their booze, reports of drunken fights, public urination and scores of hospital visits have abounded during previous events. In 2017, police reported that 17 people were arrested during that year’s Santacon, more than triple the amount of arrests as it did the previous year.

As one parent put it: "I'll never forget explaining to my crying child, 'That wasn't Santa throwing up.'"

• See related article: Hoboken Sees Boozing, Brawling, Urinating Santa Invasion
• See related article: Hoboken 'Santas' Behave Badly During Pub Crawl

On Monday, NJ Transit – which transports many of the Santacon revelers to and from the party – announced that it’s banning “all beverages” on its trains, light rail vehicles and buses on Saturday, Dec. 15 and the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 16 to coincide with the annual Hoboken SantaCon event.

And yes, this includes alcohol, the agency stated.

“No beverages of any kind, in any type of container, open or closed, will be permitted on board trains, buses or light rail vehicles during this time,” NJ Transit stated. “This policy will be strictly enforced.”

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