Taking Metro-North to SantaCon NYC 2016 from Harrison?

HARRISON, NY — Metro-North will once again ban alcohol on trains this weekend due to the annual SantaCon event.

SantaCon NYC 2016 begins at 10 a.m. Dec. 10.

It is described as a, “...non-commercial, non-political, non-sensical Santa Claus convention that happens once a year for absolutely no reason.” Thousands of people will fill the streets and subways in full Santa, elf or other festive costumes, going on a bar crawl that’s organized like a giant scavenger hunt.

Starting in 2013, Metro-North, the Long Island Railroad and the organizers set new rules to prevent some of the problems that had plagued past years.

No urinating in public, no littering; don’t pester kids, don’t bother the cops (many of whom will be on hand); and don’t mess with the staff at the bars. Oh—and don’t drink more than Santa can handle.

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

MTA police officers will be on trains and on duty at Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal and stations throughout the region to enforce the restriction. The police will confiscate alcoholic beverages and issue summonses carrying fines or imprisonment. Violators may also be subject to removal from the train or station by police.

For more information about Metro-North Railroad Rules and Regulations, click here.

The 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.

Images via NYPD and SantaCon