SantaCon NYC 2018: When Is It? Participating Bars, Map

santacon nyc
People dressed as Santa Claus participate in the annual bar crawl SantaCon on December 9, 2017, in New York City. Stephanie Keith/Getty Images

Before Santa Claus comes to town, the annual Christmas costume extravaganza, SantaCon, comes to New York City.

The annual event, which began in 1994, encourages people to dress up in full Santa garb or other Christmas characters such as reindeer and elves. Participants then spend the day visiting various bars throughout participating cities.

Although there are events in cities across the globe, one of the largest SantaCon events in the United States takes place in New York City.

When Is It?

SantaCon in New York City will take place on Saturday, December 8. It begins at 10 a.m. EST.

What Bars Are Participating?

While some bars get into the holiday spirit for SantaCon, others won't allow people in costumes inside. So, it's best to confirm that the bar you're hoping to go is costume-friendly as you plan your route.

Santacon map route
SantaCon in New York City will take place throughout Midtown and the Lower East Side on Saturday. Google Maps

Special Santa Venues

  • Sony Hall, 235 W 46th St, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • The Ainsworth East, 45 E 33rd St, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • SOLAS, 232 E 9th St,12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • 230 Fifth Ave, 230 5th Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Clinton Hall 36, 16 W 36th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • TAJ II, 48 W 21st St, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • SideBAR, 118 E 15th St, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Slate NY, 54 W 21st St, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Local NYC, W 33 St and 8th Ave, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • The Ainsworth Chelsea, 122 W 26th St, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Lucy's Cantina Royal, 34th St and 8th Ave, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • The Tailor, 505 8th Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • Doux, 59 W 21st St, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • The VNYL, 100 3rd Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
  • The Liberty, 29 W 35th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • The Pennsy, 2 Penn Plaza, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • 5th and Mad, 7 E 36th St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

East Village Venues

  • Nowhere Bar, 322 E 14th St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Doc Holliday's, 141 Ave A, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Pink's, 242 E 10th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Professor Thom's, 219 2nd Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Plug Uglies, 256 3rd Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Crocodile Lounge, 325 E 14th St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Coyote Ugly, 153 1st Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Vazac Horseshoe Bar, 108 Ave B, 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Juke Bar, 196 2nd Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Central Bar, 109 E 9th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • The Continental, 25 3rd Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Finnerty's, 221 2nd Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Machos NYC, 118A E 15th St, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Midtown Venues

  • Rattle 'n Hum West, 309 W 39th,11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Feile, 131 W 33rd St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Stout Grand Central, 60 E 41st St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Stout NYC ~ Flagship, 133 W 33rd St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Bounce Sporting Club, 55 W 21st St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Brother Jimmy's BBQ, 416 8th Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Pennsylvania 6, 132 W 31st St, 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
  • Brother Jimmy's, 181 Lexington Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Blarney Rock, 137 W 33rd St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • The Australian Bar, 20 W 38th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • American Whiskey, 247 W 30th St, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Tempest, 407 8th Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Foleys NY, 18 W 33rd St, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • The Storehouse, 69 W 23rd St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Jack Doyle's, 240 W 35th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • John Sullivan's, 210 W 35th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Rick's Cabaret, 48 W 33rd, 11:00 a.m. – TBD
  • Hoops Cabaret, 50 W 33rd St, 11:00 a.m. – TBD
  • Slattery's Midtown, 8 E 36th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • American Hall, 29 W 36th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • The Hog Pit, 37 W 26th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Public House NYC, 140 E 41st St, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Peter Dillon's Pub, 2 E 36th St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Beer Authority, 300 W 40th St, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Dewey's Pub, 135 W 30th, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Reichenbach Beer Hall, 5 W 37th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • The Keg Room NYC, 53 W 36th St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Playwright Irish Pub, 27 W 35th St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Karaoke City, 22 W 32nd St, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Mustang Harry's, 352 7th Ave, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Stone Creek Lounge, 140 E 27th St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Legends, 6 W 33rd St, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Do I Need a Ticket?

Over the past five years, New York City's SantaCon has raised more than $400,000 for charitable causes, simply by asking participating Santas and venues to donate.

This year, to gain entry to the special venues, all it requires is a $12 donation. Donations go to a variety of charities including, City Harvest, The Ali Forney Center, The Secret Sandy Claus Project, The Food Bank for New York City, Dance Parade and Materials for the Arts.

While SantaCon participants don't need to donate in order to join the party, making the donation is the only way to guarantee entry to the special venues.

Although the bars were released ahead of time, the starting place for SantaCon won't be released until Friday and participants can either text "follow santacon" to 40404 or check the SantaCon Twitter page for information.

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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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