It’s December, and you know what that means: Santa Claus is coming to town! SantaCon, the “nonsensical Santa Claus convention that happens once a year for absolutely no reason,” takes place in over 300 cities around the globe throughout the month. Don your Santa suit (a hat is NOT good enough: go full Santa, or stay home), bring candy canes and good cheer, and join in the Kris Kringle-themed pub crawl, wherever you may be.

The Original: San Francisco

The first-ever SantaCon, called “Santarchy,” was in San Francisco in 1994. Political in its origins, the event was inspired by a Danish political group, Solvognen, that dressed in Santa costumes and mobbed a Copenhagen department store way back in 1974. SantaCon’s beginnings were much more than an excuse to sing naughty carols and get drunk in public—which is well worth remembering.

Most Laid-Back: Honolulu

Santa wears board shorts! Santa goes surfing! Santa hangs ten! Santa’s in Hawaii, dude. And you don’t absolutely HAVE to go as Santa: Elves, Christmas trees, reindeer, Mrs. Claus—all are welcome, as long as you’re in full costume (remember, a hat isn’t good enough!). If you’re not into wearing a beard in the Honolulu heat, you’ve got options… like Donny, the Dancing Dreidel. 

Photo by Garry Knight via Flickr Creative Commons

Drunkest: London

The English invented the bloody pub crawl. They’ll show you how it’s done. London’s SantaCon promises to be cheery, beery, and quite possibly bleary. There are over 7,000 pubs in London, so Santa has plenty of drinking locations to visit. In addition to ringing in the season with a pint or three, SantaCon activities include caroling, smiling for children, passing out candy canes and bringing joy to the world.

Coldest: Montreal

Vive le Quebec ivre! Getting a little toasty helps Santa stave off the Montreal chill—it’s that kind of cold where your nostrils and eyelashes freeze. But the Quebecois really know how to “laisser les bon temps rouler”: hundreds of carousing Santas, elves, and reindeer will surely put a grin on every frozen face they encounter.

Least Likely: Tel Aviv

Santa’s yearly convention is non-religious, so Santa’s going to Israel! Party capital Tel Aviv will see a sea of red, white and black suits take to its beautiful ancient streets. "The City that Never Sleeps" makes a gorgeous Mediterranean backdrop for merriment and Manischewitz!

Photo by Paul Bailey via Flickr Creative Commons

Strangest: Berlin

Jolly Old Saint Nick is one face of Christmas, but in Berlin, you may encounter a less kindly figure at SantaCon: Krampus, a folkloric, hairy beast-like creature who punishes children who misbehave during the Christmas season. Perhaps the peace and goodwill of hundreds of Kris Kringles will soothe mean old Krampus, and he’ll have a glass of schnapps and join in the fun.

Most Badass: New York

If you’re in New York, act like a New Yorker. SantaCon NYC issued these classic rules:
THE 4 F’S OF SANTACON
1.Don’t F*ck with Kids
2.Don’t F*ck with Cops
3.Don’t F*ck with Bar Staff
4.Don’t F*ck with NYC
That is all you need to know for SantaCon in New York City.

Photo by Paul Bailey via Flickr Creative Commons

Most Stylish: Paris

Parisians are known the world over for their élan: Style, energy and enthusiasm. Les Pères Noëls will wind their way through the streets of Montmarte, stopping now and then for a glass of wine, a brandy, and maybe, because they are a little more sophisticated than some of their Santastic brothers (and sisters) elsewhere in the world, perhaps also for un petit café.

Most Exotic Locale: Sámara

Santa just might be in a bikini at this Costa Rican SantaCon. And Santa’s grog could very possibly be some kind of rum drink in a coconut. SantaCon Sámara bills itself as “kiddo-friendly,” suggesting that you “peel off and head home” if Santa gets too rowdy. Well, if Santa has too many rum-filled coconuts, Santa might just sleep under this palm tree right.... zzzzzz. Don’t get sunburned, Santa.

Most Down Under: Sydney

Australians can put anyone down under the table when it comes to swilling beer, grog, or anything else. The Sydney SantaCon is guaranteed to rival Hawaii for its laid-back attitude, London for its booziness, Sámara for its—right, it’s summer in Australia! Santa gets a tan while indulging in hijinks and hilarity! Merry SantaCon, everyone!

For a full list of SantaCons around the world, visit the SantaCon website.