SantaCon: One visit from St. Nick many Americans would rather skip

Christmas is a time when families can come together, friends can exchange gifts and Santa Claus fanboys trade the cookies and milk for something a little stronger.

Saturday was the date for at least 65 SantaCon events across the U.S., according to SantaCon.info. For anyone who has never experienced a SantaCon, it’s basically a bar crawl, but the participants dress as Santa Claus or in other holiday-themed costumes.

In New York, where organizers say the world’s largest SantaCon is held every year, it’s popular to stay inside and deride the event on social media.

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Jason Selvig, who started a petition to cancel SantaCon, told FOX 5 New York that the event is “universally hated” in the city.

“It’s the worst day of the year,” he told FOX 5. “There’s drunk people all over the city; they’re committing lewd acts.”

But organizers say that bad behavior isn't allowed. They set "common sense" rules that participants shouldn't torment bystanders or leave a mess behind.

Also, participants are encouraged to make a charitable donation, with the money going to local food banks and other nonprofits. The New York event has raised more than $450,000 for charitable causes, according to the organizers.

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