Imagine thousands of Santa-clad revelers flooding the streets of San Francisco, turning a quaint holiday tradition into a city-wide spectacle. This is SantaCon, and it’s as chaotic as it is captivating. What began in 1994 as a quirky prank by the Cacophony Society—with just 30 Santas causing a stir—has morphed into an annual pub crawl that takes over the city. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some see it as a festive celebration, others label it a holiday travesty, complete with overcrowded bars and, let’s say, unconventional behavior. (Think patrons relieving themselves in unexpected places—yes, that happened.)
This year, SantaCon 2025 kicked off in Union Square, where jolly participants donated toys to the SF Firefighters Toy Program before dispersing across the city. From Polk Street bars to Muni trains and the Fillmore district, the sea of red and white was impossible to miss. And this is the part most people miss: the event isn’t just about the drinks—it’s a decades-old tradition that’s evolved from crashing debutante balls and peep shows (yes, really) to a more family-friendly (ish) affair. Well, mostly family-friendly.
By 5 p.m., the frenzy had sent Waymo ride prices soaring to $70 for a trip from the westside to North Beach’s Savoy Tivoli, a SantaCon staple that’s seen both the highs (triple the usual business) and lows (like that water heater incident) of the event. Traffic? Predictably chaotic, thanks in part to the final weekend of the Let’s Glow video projections, which have been a downtown moneymaker for five years. Thankfully, Uber and Lyft rates stayed relatively sane, hovering between $25 and $35.
This year’s SantaCon was a bit tamer than its early days, perhaps thanks to the crisp, dry weather. But the spirit—and the costumes—remained as wild as ever. From full Santa suits to ugly sweaters topped with Santa hats, creativity was on full display. Scroll down to see the most unforgettable photos from this year’s festivities.
But here’s the question: Is SantaCon a beloved holiday tradition or a festive free-for-all that’s gone too far? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears (and Santa hats).
Dec 14, 2025
Kendra Smith, Deputy Managing Editor
Kendra Smith, a Bay Area native and San Francisco resident of nearly 15 years, brings her love for dim sum, urban hikes, and local culture to her role at SFGATE. As Deputy Managing Editor, she supports the food, culture, travel, and local editorial teams. Reach her at kendra.smith@sfgate.com.
