SantaCon NYC 2024: Map, route and more on this weekend's event

SantaCon 2023

FOX 5 NY's Richard Giacovas reports.

NEW YORK CITY - SantaCon is coming to town.

SantaCon pub crawl

The Santacon pub crawl is set to make its return to the streets of New York City on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.

Hundreds of Santa Clauses, elves and Rudolphs will descend upon the city for the divisive holiday tradition, a charity event that organizers said has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charitable causes.

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People dressing up as Santa Clause gather during SantaCon day. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

While multiple bars across Manhattan are expected to participate in this year's event, the MTA is taking steps to ensure SantaCon will not be a rowdy affair on its trains.

Like previous years, the MTA will ban alcohol on Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road trains from 4 a.m. Saturday until noon on Sunday. There will also be an increased police presence at Penn Station, Grand Central Madison and Grand Central Terminal to enforce the weekend alcohol restriction.

Time to cancel SantaCon?

An online campaign had been launched to cancel the event, whose participants can be more naughty than nice.

"Our top priority is ensuring that Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road riders can celebrate safely," said MTA Police Chief John Mueller. "The holiday season is a wonderful time of year, and we want everyone to get to their destination smoothly and on time while enjoying the festivities."