SantaCon Isn't Canceled, Despite What Fliers Say

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A group of pranksters are trying to trick people into missing out on SantaCon this year, which takes place Saturday. Readers have alerted Patch to a number of fake fliers posted around Manhattan advertising that the annual booze- and bro-fest has been cancelled.

SantaCon is not cancelled.

In fact, SantaCon's organizers released a list of businesses that are participating in this year's bar crawl on Thursday night. This year's festivities will start at the James A. Farley Post Office Building at 10 a.m. and most of the participating bars and clubs are located in Midtown and the East Village. The post office is located on Eighth Avenue between West 31st and 33rd streets.

The fliers claim that an "outpouring of support" from New York City residents forced the event to cancel. The same fliers advertise an anti-SantaCon demonstration being held Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. at Eighth Avenue and West 33rd Street.

The fake fliers appear to be the handiwork of two groups calling themselves NYCR and T.G.L. The fliers do not explain what those acronyms may stand for.

Ever since its arrival in New York City, SantaCon has found itself at odds with local residents.

New Yorkers don't like to be bothered, especially on the weekends. Thousands of blackout Santas showing up in your neighborhood one morning to start fights, vomit in the streets and engage in public sex, definitely qualifies as bothersome.

But in recent years, SantaCon organizers have tried to tighten up the event. Organizers said they're working closely with the NYPD to keep the 2017 event safe and enjoyable for both Santas and New Yorkers alike. There's event a "Santa Code" which outlines examples of acceptable behavior and a 'Five F's of SantaCon" which implores drunk Santas not to f*ck with kids, cops, bar staff, New Yorkers or the event's annual charity drive.

Photo courtesy Dan Stifler