LONDON -- It's the most magical day of the most wonderful time of the year: that day when people dressed as Santa Claus careen around London's streets, winding their merry way in and out of pubs.
"Santacon is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious and non-sensical Christmas parade that traditionally takes place in London one Saturday every December," the event's website says.
Happy #SantaCon London pic.twitter.com/t5j9Hhq9ow— Jim Duffy (@JimDuffyThree) December 12, 2015
In a slightly surreal meeting, this year's merry Santa march comes on the same day as a demonstration by the Stop the War coalition to protest the bombing of Syria. The group was marching from BBC Broadcasting House to Downing Street. The groups weren't slated to cross paths.
After reports of bad behaviour by Santas in previous years, the group's Twitter page tried to head off these urges to jump in fountains or throw brussels sprouts at passersby before they even begin.
Santa! No-one wants to catch a cold for Christmas! Leave the swimming trunks at home! #ldnsantacon pic.twitter.com/hXL0TaX6ao— londonsantacon (@londonsantacon) December 12, 2015
Elves and other personnel are all welcome. Eat the sprouts, don't throw them! #ldnsantacon pic.twitter.com/cVbvcku7LQ— londonsantacon (@londonsantacon) December 12, 2015
There are north, south and east groups of Santas, who are planning on ending their parade at different points.
Getting festive mobbed by #SantaRun #SantaConLondon pic.twitter.com/KDwOVwjrH5— Yeohan Kim (@Djyeo) December 12, 2015
Spot the naked Santa! #SantaCon #London #Whereswally #Christmas #artnude pic.twitter.com/a0DTSdYctb— Stef NonagonGirl Jay (@StephanieJay_UK) December 12, 2015
Santaconnn #santacon #drunksanta #Shoreditch #london pic.twitter.com/fngxJ4zJ8f— Chris Demetri (@cd990) December 12, 2015
the Santas have taken us over! #santaCon #lock17 #camdentown #christmas #camden #london : @lock17camden pic.twitter.com/ShFgRIkJHC— #Lock17 (@Lock17Camden) December 12, 2015
Looks like #santaconlondon at Southwark pic.twitter.com/0xvvSum08k— Martin Gilbraith (@martingilbraith) December 12, 2015
Santa's at Saint Paul's Cathedral. #LDNSantacon pic.twitter.com/fe9iQJJDIK— East London Santæ (@eastldnsanta) December 12, 2015
Simbaclaws #ldnsantacon #SantaCon @eastldnsanta pic.twitter.com/Ocg5yJm2vC— Dan Chaffey (@chaffleson) December 12, 2015