Dear Santas: Please be good, for goodness' sake.
SantaCon attendees gathered in New York City on Saturday for the annual flash mob-meets-bar crawl that's heavily coated with a boozy layer of Christmas spirit. Hundreds of people dressed up as Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer and other holiday figures to join the daylong drinking event.
However, SantaCon organizers have reined in this year's event, as planned protests over police brutality are taking place on the same day in NYC, as well as Washington, D.C. SantaCon organizers have even hired a civil-rights lawyer to advise on how to behave during public gatherings; they are also telling attendees to stay inside bars, rather than party outside.
The event has previously stirred controversy, with participants crowding sidewalks and fighting in public brawls, among other inebriated activities. (Note: Seeing Santa pee in public is scarring for kids and adults.) The New York Police Department is not exactly fond of SantaCon, either.
Organizers warned attendees that this year's event could be the last if things get too rowdy, according to CNN; they are using the hashtag #DontScroogeSantaCon to remind revelers to behave.
Despite how busy he is during this time of year, Santas have been swarming NYC since 9 a.m., local time.