SantaCon: A Holiday Tradition Under Fire
It's that time of the year again. Amidst the lights and festive cheer, an annual gathering stirs controversy: SantaCon. Known for its rowdy crowds and questionable antics, this event inspires equal parts joy and distress. Seth Porges, in his latest documentary, navigates the chaotic landscape of this holiday phenomenon, revealing not only its raucous present but also its empathetic origins.
“This is not the most wonderful time of the year.” – Seth Porges, filmmaker
A Frenzied Tradition
SantaCon, a boozy bar crawl where participants don Santa suits and unleash their inner reveler, thrives in New York City streets, turning festive cheer into a day of debauchery. To many, it is the embodiment of holiday spirit gone awry. Porges captures this dichotomy beautifully—while the trailer flashes images of drunken Santas, he also weaves in the quaint history of the gathering. As he states early in the film, the event is described as “the most feared, most reviled, most hated event on the planet.”
Sympathy for the Santa Suit?
Contrary to what critics might expect, Porges has been met with surprising acceptance from SantaCon devotees. This could be attributed to his documentary's underlying narrative, which focuses on SantaCon's origins as a joyful gathering, rather than a chaotic free-for-all. Interviews with the event's early creators display a sense of nostalgia; they grapple with the transformation of their once quaint affair into an “annual headache.” Isn't it fascinating how one event can morph into both a symbol of joy and a source of public disdain?
Polarizing Perspectives
The memories surrounding SantaCon are as diverse as its participants. For some, it sparks romantic reminiscences—couples fondly recall their first kisses amid the revelry. Yet, for others, the day marks encounters with drunken Santas and police confrontations. My colleague, Callie Holtermann, gathered stories from readers who participated in various SantaCons, illustrating the wide spectrum of experiences, from laughter to horror.
Do's and Don'ts of SantaCon
- Santa spreads JOY, not terror or trash.
- Peaceful interactions are the ultimate goal—walk away from conflict.
- Remember: “You WILL be arrested” if you carry open containers of alcohol.
The Catalyst for Change
Porges' journey began in 2021, in the same bar culture that SantaCon thrives within. He recounts how his conversations with Scott Beale, an original organizer, shifted his perspective on the event. Beale's words painted a different picture—of a gathering born from the spirit of joy and community. This epiphany inspired Porges to dig deeper, revealing that SantaCon was not always characterized by excess and chaos.
A Look Back in Time
Utilizing footage from the first SantaCon events in California during the 1990s, Porges showcases a stark contrast. Attendees were filled with wonder and joy rather than disdain. What a shift! As Porges eloquently astutely puts it, SantaCon has become a “Frankenstein story,” symbolizing the unintended consequences of creativity running amok.
Culture at a Crossroads
In a world that feels increasingly alien, his documentary resonates with contemporary sentiments. It raises the age-old question: when we create something beautiful, what happens when we lose control of it? The creators of SantaCon chose not to be angry but to embrace the ride and its chaotic evolution. Perhaps there's a lesson here about how we navigate our cultures, especially as they transform under the weight of commercialism and public scrutiny.
“What felt inspiring about the creators of SantaCon was they chose not to be angry.”
Conclusion: Navigating Festive Chaos
As we brace for another SantaCon, Seth Porges' documentary offers invaluable insights and a reflective lens through which to view this cultural phenomenon. It invites us to ponder not only the nature of holiday traditions but also our own interactions with the chaos of communal celebration. So, whether you're donning a Santa suit or sidestepping the spectacle, it's worth considering the multifaceted stories that live amid the invasion of bearded merrymakers.
Source reference: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/12/nyregion/santacon-documentary.html
