NEW YORK — Santa Clauses are taking over the streets.
On Saturday, thousands of festive individuals donned in Santa suits and other holiday attire gathered for the annual SantaCon charity pub crawls, bringing cheer from cities like Adelaide to Vancouver.
In New York City, where the winter chill set in, festivities began at 10 a.m. and were expected to continue into the night.
Participants, including those dressed as Grinches, elves, and other holiday characters, made their way from midtown Manhattan to the East Village, creating a vibrant sea of red and green throughout the city.
The event is described as a charitable, non-commercial, and whimsical celebration aimed at spreading joy within the community.
To support local charities, attendees are encouraged to donate $15 for entry into participating venues, helping to spread holiday goodwill.
Similar festive celebrations occurred in about 50 cities worldwide on Saturday, including London, Phoenix, Winnipeg, and San Francisco, with more events planned throughout December.
In light of the festivities, local police reminded attendees that open containers are not allowed in public spaces, and blocking traffic may result in citations. They also emphasized the importance of having a designated driver.
Additionally, regional commuter rail services have implemented a ban on drinking aboard trains.
