Sorry SantaCon Participants, No Drinking on the LIRR

All drunk Santas taking the Long Island Rail Road to NYC’s SantaCon this weekend should know the Metropolitan Transit Authority will be imposing an alcohol ban.

Alcohol will not be permitted on LIRR and Metro-North Railroad trains and in stations from noon Saturday to noon Sunday.

The MTA says temporary bans are imposed on occasion for the safety of customers and train crews, such as when thousands of intoxicated people in Santa, elf or other festive costumes are taking mass transit simultaneously.

MTA police will be enforcing this restriction on trains, at Penn Station and at all major stations throughout the region. They will confiscate alcoholic beverages and issue summonses, which can lead to fines or imprisonment.

Those who wish to not follow this rule may be removed from the train or station by police.

This alcohol ban overlaps with the LIRR’s usual alcohol ban between midnight and 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

SantaCon is described as a “...non-commercial, non-political, non-sensical Santa Claus convention that happens once a year for absolutely no reason.”

New York City Police Department also reminds people to not walk around with open containers and to keep noise level outside to a minimum.

And by the way, SantaCon.nyc warns that some bogus websites are offering tickets. The only financial ask from the real, long-established NYC SantaCon team is a donation (in return you gain extra access). See only santacon.nyc for details.

For more information about SantaCon:

• SantaCon NYC 2016: The Full Route Map