He is real! Christmas came early for thousands of SantaCon revelers who took to the streets across the world over the weekend.
The Santas spread holiday cheer along with way, sometimes stopping in a bar or two to refuel with eggnog or stronger spirits.
SantaCon began in San Francisco in 1994, the brainchild of the San Francisco Cacophony Society. It has grown every year since, with events this year in 225 cities in 32 countries. Along with mandatory revelry, there are certain rules, including addressing everyone as “Santa” and throwing candy to kids.
– Kayleen Schaefer
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Photo: Bimal Gautam/Demotix
The center of London resembles the Red Sea for the festive occasion.
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Photo: ATTILA KISBENEDEK/Getty Images
It’s the running of the bare-chested Santas in Budapest. It was for charity.
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Photo: KENA BETANCUR/Reuters
Santas gather at the Crossroads of the World, Times Square in New York.
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Photo: Allison Joyce/Getty Images
It wouldn't be SantaCon without the bar pit stops, which a gaggle of Santas make in New York.
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Photo: TOBY MELVILLE/Reuters
That’s not Rudolph! Santas mount a lion at Trafalgar Square in London.
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Photo: BRIAN SNYDER/Reuters
Female SantaCon revelers grin and bare it in Boston.