Lowertown SantaCon in the Press
WCCO 2023
RACKET MN 2023
After over a decade of bar hopping, SantaCon was forced to disappear for three years because, well, you know. But hey, the annual holiday party is back this year and pretending that it didn’t miss a beat. Things will kick off at the European Holiday Market, then the gang will travel to Mears Park for some photo ops, head over to Big River Pizza for the tail end of the Farmers Market, and end at MetroNOME. There are no tickets, and you don’t need to sign up for this event; just show up and join the fun. Costumes aren’t just limited to Santa, either. Past events have seen folks in ugly sweaters, a Turducken man, multiple Krampuses (Krampi?), and a variety of dreidels. Follow the action live on Twitter at @santacon55101. Free. 7 p.m. ‘til bar close. 240 E. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul.—Jessica Armbruster
CITY PAGES A-LIST 2019
SantaCon in Lowertown, Union Depot’s bake sale, tap takeovers: A-List 12.11-12.15
SantaCon’s resounding success can be largely attributed to its emphasis on community engagement. Unlike more profit-driven enterprises, entry to SantaCon is completely free, and requires no advance registration, wristbands, or waivers. In fact, the only strongly suggested stipulation is that participants embrace the camaraderie of their fellow yuletide revelers. Attendees are encouraged to wear holiday finery, whether that be a gloriously garish Christmas sweater or an eccentric variation on the scarlet suit of old Kris Kringle. The merriment kicks off at Dark Horse Pub and Eatery with a family-friendly hour during which the more courageous kids can plead their case to Krampus, the horned demon tasked with punishing wayward children. (Juvenile miscreants can seek out Santa Lawyer, aka Emmett Robertson, an event sponsor/practicing attorney committed to representing nonprofits.) Around [9] p.m., Christmas tunes will ring out as the Macalester College Bagpipe Band leads a jolly procession through the winter wonderland of Mears Park, before concluding at the just/us eatery, where the party will continue until close. Follow the shenanigans on Twitter at @santacon55101. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free.
KARE 11 “LOWERTOWN SANTACON SECRET LOCATION REVEALED” 2018
WCCO—CBS MINNESOTA, 2017: “A LOOK AT SANTACON IN ST. PAUL”
CITY PAGES A-LIST 2017
SantaCon bar crawl, ‘Star Wars’ art, Open Streets: A-List 12.13-19
This week’s top events include a party with the Hamm’s Bear, Star Wars related fun, and the always wild Lowertown SantaCon.
The best bar crawls don’t need T-shirts, wristbands, or entry fees. They only require booze, good cheer, and… booze. SantaCon is the ultimate holiday-themed bar crawl, with hundreds of thousands of people participating in cities all over the world. The Twin Cities SantaCon takes place in Lowertown St. Paul. Now in its 10th year, the event stays true to the spirit of the season by inviting anyone who loves Christmas, drinking, and causing a festive scene to join the fun. While the name might imply that this is only for the jolly big man, there really isn’t a formal dress code. Though you will see Santas of all kinds, you may also spot elves and reindeer throwing back Fireball shots shoulder-to-shoulder with Hanukkah chickens and Kwanzaa hams as half-goat, half-demon Krampus, punisher of bad kids, walks by. So save the money you’d spend on some generic bar crawl ticket, throw on that ugly Christmas sweater you haven’t worn since last December, and come take back the streets of St. Paul with the yuletide mob scene of the year. The itinerary tonight includes stops at Big River Pizza, Kelly’s Depot Bar, and Biergarten Germania. You can also follow the shenanigans live via Twitter at @santacon55101, and visit lowertownsantacon.info for more info. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free. —Patrick Strait
PIONEER PRESS, “HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS. AND ANOTHER ONE. IT MUST BE TIME FOR SANTACON”, DEC 13TH, 2017
What do you call 100 Santas, some assorted elves and reindeer and a brass band making merry in the streets of Lowertown St. Paul? In its nine years, this event has been called a spectacle, a pub crawl and a flash mob, because it’s plenty of each. But if you’re going to use its proper name, it’s SantaCon.
SantaCon is an annual worldwide Santa Claus convention. There are SantaCon celebrations in cities from New York to Oakland and in plenty of British cities, says Nigel Parry, one of three people who started the Lowertown festivities in 2008. People dress in Santa outfits for a pub crawl. “It’s been going on a very long time,” says Parry, the only one of the original three still working on the event, which celebrates its 10th year Saturday. The first SantaCon in Lowertown drew about 25 people, Parry says. There was so much snow that the streets were almost deserted, he says.
The next year, the Brass Messengers band was added “and that took it into orbit,” he adds. The Brass Messengers will be back this year, and Parry expects the weather will be more cooperative than the time their instruments froze up. Parry says one of his favorite reactions to SantaCon is from kids in a restaurant as a parade of Santas passes by. “Their parents have a lot of explaining to do.”
Saturday’s SantaCon will start at 7 p.m. at Big River Pizza (Wall and East Fifth streets). At 9 p.m., it’s at Kelly’s Depot Bar (Kellogg and Wacouta) and from 10 p.m. to close, it’s at Biergarten Germania (formerly Golden’s Deli on Wall Street between Fourth and Fifth streets). The event used to make as many as seven stops, but it was too chaotic, says Parry, who moved to the Twin Cities from Scotland in 1998.
Parry says the shifting Lowertown entertainment scene has been rough on SantaCon. “Half of the places we used to go to don’t exist anymore,” he says. Previous SantaCons have been at Bedlam and Senior Wong’s. Bedlam is now Hygga, and Senior Wong’s is closed. The event is free, but SantaCon raises funds to pay the band.
Krampus, the evil goatlike monster companion to St. Nicholas, will be among the Santa brigade this year, Parry says. The Minnesota Krampus organization, which has authentic Austrian costumes based on the folklore figures, “is pretty amazing,” he adds. Krampus allegedly takes a switch to children who St. Nick identifies on the naughty list. Lowertown SantaCon is always held the last Saturday before Christmas, unless that’s just too close to Christmas, as it is this year. “We don’t want to be obnoxious,” Parry says.
MINNPOST ARTSCAPE PICK 2017
Saturday: Lowertown SantaCon X. It’s a pub crawl with Santas, the Brass Messengers and the Minnesota Krampus Society. No starting bar, no ending bar, no entrance fee, no wristbands and no merch. Come as Santa, Rudolph, an elf (please, not on the shelf) or yourself. The SantaCon Express starts at 7 p.m. at Big River Pizza (Wall and E. 5th streets, moves to Kelly’s Depot Bar (Kellogg & Wacouta) at 9 p.m., then heads to the Biergarten Germania (Wall between E. 4th and E. 5th) from 11 until bar closing.
VISIT TWIN CITIES 2017 FEATURE: SANTACON IS COMING TO TOWN
Raising a pint is the same as spreading holiday cheer, right?
Don your Santa hat, your reindeer antlers, your holiday ribbons and bows—even your dreidel costume: The 10th annual Lowertown SantaCon pub crawl is coming to Lowertown Dec. 16. Are you ready for the “Santarchy”?
Fuel up with some wood-fired pizza with your other sleigh-happy Santas at Big River Pizza at 7 p.m. before filling one of St. Paul’s favorite dive bars with good cheer at Kelly’s Depot Bar & Grill at 9 p.m. The last stop of the SantaCon is at Biergarten Germania at 10 p.m. While it’s not officially open yet, the owners couldn’t say no to the Christmas spirit and invited the pub crawl until close. Along the way you’ll be accompanied by one of the Twin Cities’ favorite street bands, The Brass Messengers.
There is no cover or participation fee to join the crawl: All you need is some holiday apparel and spirit. If you don’t think your Santa getup or ugly Christmas sweater quite cuts it, get a new Santa suit and holiday accessories with the Party City coupon on the SantaCon website. Among the holiday lights and red coats, you might even spy some members of the Minnesota Krampus society. Admittedly, with dark cloaks, horns, wooden masks and hooked noses, they’re hard to miss, but regardless, take the time to learn about the unique holiday legend from Salzburg, Austria.
SantaCons are happening at more than 100 U.S. locations and in countries like Japan, Sweden, Canada, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, China, Spain, Vietnam and Thailand this year, so don’t miss out on being part of one of the merriest pub crawls of the year.
CITY PAGES WINTER GUIDE, 2017
LOWERTOWN SANTACON X: The best bar crawls don’t need T-shirts, wristbands, or entry fees. They only require booze, good cheer, and… booze. SantaCon is the ultimate holiday-themed bar crawl, with hundreds of thousands of people participating in cities all over the world. The Twin Cities SantaCon is set for December 16, and takes place in Lowertown St. Paul. Now in its 10th year, the event stays true to the spirit of the season by inviting anyone who loves Christmas, drinking, and causing a festive scene to join the fun. While the name might imply that this is only for the “Jolly Big Man,” there really isn’t a formal dress code. Though you will see Santas of all kinds, you may also spot elves and reindeer throwing back Fireball shots, shoulder-to-shoulder with Hanukkah chickens and Kwanzaa hams as half-goat, half-demon Krampus, punisher of bad kids, walks by. So save the money you’d spend on some generic bar crawl ticket, throw on that ugly Christmas sweater you haven’t worn since last December, and come take back the streets of St. Paul with the yuletide mob scene of the year. Stay tuned for the planned itinerary. You can also follow shenanigans live via Twitter at @santacon55101, and visit lowertownsantacon.info for more info. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free. December 16 —Patrick Strait
Photo: Barbara Dodge
CITY PAGES A-LIST, 2016
The holidays are about togetherness, and that includes your drinking buddies. For the past nine years, Lowertown SantaCon has been bringing people together. Each year, revelers venture out into the cold night to spread joy and toast to good fortune. Attendees frequently include Krampus, a hooved beast who punishes bad kids while swilling Jager; Santas of all sizes and genders; jolly — and frequently tipsy — elves; and even a few turduckens, dreidels, unicorns, and snowmen. Stops along the way include Black Dog, Golden’s, and SW Craft Bar, and shenanigans can be followed live via Twitter at santacon55101. Location updates will be announced at lowertownsantacon.info.
CITY PAGES WINTER GUIDE, 2016: “THE TOP 20 EVENTS OF THE SEASON”
The holidays are about togetherness, and that includes your drinking buddies. For the past nine years, Lowertown SantaCon has been bringing people together. Each year, revelers venture out into the cold night to spread joy and toast to good fortune. Attendees frequently include Krampus, a hooved beast who punishes bad kids while swilling Jäger; Santas of all sizes and genders; jolly — and frequently tipsy — elves; and even a few turduckens, dreidels, unicorns, and snowmen. While the route has yet to be announced, stops along the way typically include Black Dog, Golden’s, and Mears Park, and shenanigans can be followed live via Twitter at santacon55101. Location updates will be announced at lowertownsantacon.info. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free. December 17 —Jessica Armbruster
WCCO—CBS MINNESOTA, 2016: “WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND: ONE WEEK UNTIL CHRISTMAS”
CITY PAGES “A-LIST” REVIEW 2015
It’s not hard to find a holiday-themed pub crawl this time of year, but there’s only one Lowertown SantaCon. Now in its eighth iteration, this Saturday the streets of St. Paul will run red (and green) with hundreds of yuletide revelers. With no entry fees, no wristbands, and no crappy T-shirts, the event stays true to the spirit of the season by inviting anyone who loves the holidays to drink a bit and help create a festive scene. Kicking off at 6 p.m. at Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar, the epic Christmas crawl will stop at six different locations, including the grand finale at Bedlam Lowertown. And while the name “SantaCon” may imply an affinity for the big man in red, each year attendees manage to find new ways to get into the spirit, dressing up as elves, reindeer, Hanukkah chickens, Kwanzaa hams, and even Krampus. The St. Paul event is part of a global network of SantaCons taking place throughout the month of December, with 354 cities in 49 countries participating. Not even Santa himself could do a Fireball shot in that many places over the course of one night, but you can throw back a few on behalf of St. Nick this weekend. Febreze your least-stained holiday sweater and head out to experience the true meaning of Christmas this Saturday. You can follow all the action (or figure out where to find the fun) on Twitter at @santacon55101.-Patrick Strait
CITY PAGES “BEST OF” 2014
Best Pub Crawl: Lowertown SantaCon
The holiday season is a time of family obligations, high-stress travel, and massive credit-card bills. Thankfully, each December the Lowertown SantaCon comes to town to help folks blow off a little steam. Now in its seventh year, the St. Paul party has just the right amount of entertainment, crowds, and good cheer. For those who choose to partake in this free bar hop, there is plenty of entertainment (live bands serenade revelers), spectacle (costumes are encouraged), and booze (hosting bars have included Black Dog, Barrio, and Señor Wong). Watch out for Krampus, an evil beast who roams the gathering in search of naughty children (and Jager shots). The 2014 crawl is scheduled for December 20. During the event, you can stay up to date on shenanigans by following SantaCon’s Twitter, @santacon55101.
CITY PAGES “WINTER GUIDE” PICK 2014
There are plenty of holiday-themed bar crawls throughout the winter, but there is only one SantaCon. The seventh-annual Lowertown SantaCon, also known as “Santarchy” or “The Red Menace,” features a costumed crew of Santas (along with some of his yuletide homies and the terrifying Krampus) strolling the streets during the most epic pub crawl of the year. The happening kicks off at 6 p.m. at Golden’s Deli before making its way to various bars throughout Lowertown, including stops at Barrio, Gopher Bar, and Senior Wong. There’s also an all-ages segment at the Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, giving the kiddos a chance to see the army of St. Nicks in their element before things get too boozy. There are no entry fees, no wristbands, and no merchandise associated with this event. It’s just a massive community of Kris Kringles (and a few driedels and ugly sweaters) looking to usher in the holiday season in the most awesome way possible. For more info, visit lowertownsantacon.info. Free. 6 p.m. to bar close. Saturday, December 20 —Patrick Strait
VITA.MN “CAMPY HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE” 2014
St. Paul hosts two Claus-themed pub crawls. At the St. Paul Santa Crawl, $20 gets you entry to eight bars, party-bus transport, drunken gift-wrapping contests, costume contests, dance parties, the Drinkin’ Spelling Bee, a pop-up pinball arcade and “live reindeer.” (5 p.m. Dec. 13. www.stpaulsantacrawl.com.) A week later, SantaCon features entertainment from the Brass Messengers and Santa’s dark companion, Krampus, and no cover. (6 p.m. Dec. 20. ww.lowertownsantacon.info.)
MINNPOST “THE PICKS” 2014
Saturday in Lowertown: SantaCon VII. If Santa is a drinking man, he’ll probably stop by SantaCon, one of the few places he can travel incognito. Because there are lots of Santas at this annual pub crawl led by the Brass Messengers, a 10-member brass band. Dixie De’Lamour is this year’s emcee; participating pubs are Golden’s Deli, the Black Dog, Señor Wong and Bedlam Lowertown. FMI. BTW this is the Black Dog’s 15th year in Lowertown. They moved in before the area was hot, weathered ups, downs and disruptions (the Green Line ends kitty-corner from their door, and the Saints stadium is being built across the street), plus they love jazz. We’ll drink to that.
SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS “ENTERTAINMENT BEST BETS FOR THE WEEK OF DEC. 19-25” 2014
Saturday: No need to adjust your glasses on Saturday night when you’re sure to encounter hundreds of people roaming the streets of St. Paul dressed in Santa garb. The worldwide Santa Claus convention taking place in cities around the globe is happening at various locations in Lowertown. Folks in red suits (or other Santa-related clothing) will be checking in at neighborhood hotspots while enjoying holiday merriment. Don’t have a Santa hat? Throw on an ugly holiday sweater. Creative costumes including Hanukkah and Kwanza-themed outfits are also encouraged. This year’s SantaCon route features stops at Golden’s Deli (6 p.m.), Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar (7:30 p.m.), Senor Wong (9:15 p.m.) and Bedlam Lowertown (11 p.m.). 6 p.m.; various Lowertown locations; free. — Amy Carlson Gustafson
HERLIFE MAGAZINE “EVENTS” 2014
Santa stays warm with a nice cup of Irish coffee! Enjoy that time of year again and get dressed in your holiday best at this festive bar crawl!
PIONEER PRESS REVIEW 2013: “SANTA CLAUSES ARE COMING TO (LOWER)TOWN”
He’s making a list, he’s checking it twice and then he’s dashing to Lowertown for a night of Christmas-themed revelry. The 6th Annual Lowertown SantaCon pub crawl will take to the streets Saturday, bringing more than 200 Santa Claus doppelgangers and others in holiday-themed costumes. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. at Golden’s Deli and wind up at 11 p.m. at Senor Wong. Families are welcome for an all-ages celebration at the Black Dog Cafe at 7 p.m., but beware: Krampus, the anti-Santa Christmas devil known for snatching naughty children, will make an appearance. Lowertown SantaCon cofounder Nigel Parry said the event is a way to spread Christmas cheer and show off the area. “There’s a lot changing in Lowertown these days. We wanted to showcase the neighborhood itself,” Parry said. “They’ll get a good intro to all sorts of places.” Pin-up model Dixie De’Lamour will be the event’s emcee. Additional stops include Barrio and the Bulldog at 8 p.m. and the Gopher Bar at 10 p.m. Fire dancers will performing at 8 p.m. in Mears Park. The crawl is led by roving band the Brass Messengers, which Parry said lends a flash-mob-like quality to the festivities. The music, paired with the hard-to-miss sight of 200 people in Santa costumes, makes for an interesting spectacle on the streets of Lowertown. “It’s pretty funny when you walk in and see people’s reactions,” Parry said. Lowertown SantaCon is free, and participants are encouraged to dress up as Santa, elves, reindeer or other holiday-themed characters. The crawl’s progress can be tracked by following @santacon55101 on Twitter or texting “follow santacon55101” to 40404. More information: lowertownsantacon.info.—Emily Mongan
CITY PAGES “A-LIST” REVIEW 2013
Some folks like to get into the holiday spirit by listening to classic Christmas tunes, baking cookies with family, and hitting the malls for deals. The folks at Lowertown SantaCon prefer to get into the mood by putting on an ugly sweater, sharing a few adult beverages with friends, and saying hello to Krampus, the cruel Christmas demon who enjoys eating children (when not taking Jager shots). This Saturday marks the return of Lowertown SantaCon, a raucous pub crawl that’s both naughty and nice. Bars and restaurants getting festive for the happening include Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar, Bulldog Lowertown, and Barrio. Along the way, Dixie De’Lamour will play MC, while the Brass Messengers will put on their elfin best and serenade revelers. Holiday get-ups are encouraged, and mash-ups are even better. So if you’ve been dying to go out dressed like a dino-dreidel or Jesus-turkey, now’s your chance. You can follow the party and its shenanigans on Twitter at @santacon55101. For more info, visit lowertownsantacon.info (Photo by James Ramsay Photography)
VITA.MN 2013: 14 QUIRKY HOLIDAY EVENTS
St. Paul is playing host to not one but two Santa-themed pub crawls on the same day (Dec. 14). Dedicated to the spirit of St. Nick and flash mobs alike, the crawls encourage revelers to dress as Santa Claus–or a reindeer or gingerbread man or elf (you get the idea).The free, sixth annual [Lowertown] SantaCon gets the edge for sheer spectacle, with traveling entertainment from Foxy Tann, the Brass Messengers and Santa’s dark companion, Krampus. From the brains behind the Zombie Pub Crawl comes the newer St. Paul Santa Crawl, which is certainly a contender. A wristband gains you entry to 14 bars, with drink specials and free party-bus transport between stops, plus drunken gift-wrapping contests, costume contests, photo booths, dance parties, Blingo, retro video game tournaments and “live reindeer.” ([Lowertown] SantaCon: 6 p.m. Dec. 14, free, www.lowertownsantacon.info. St. Paul Santa Crawl: 5 p.m. Dec. 14, $20, [URL redacted as a favor to you])
CITY PAGES 2013: “50 REASONS WE LOVE WINTER IN MINNESOTA”
Each year, the Lowertown SantaCon invites folks to celebrate the best part of the holidays — booze — with a lively bar crawl through St. Paul. Revelers are encouraged to wear their seasonal best, so expect to see elves, Santas, dreidels, and a maybe even a Turducken wandering the streets and ordering drinks from the bar. Outside, the frightful weather becomes delightful, as the party often features live music from the Brass Messengers, fire performances in Mears Park, and sightings of Krampus, the demonic Christmas creature who likes to taunt children (and do Jager bombs). The sixth annual crawl will be on Saturday, December 14.
SAINT PAUL ALMANAC, “THIS WEEK IN SAINT PAUL”, DECEMBER 2013
After the kids have gone to bed, the most hearty will want to check out the 6th Annual Lowertown SantaCon starting on Saturday, Dec. 14. The Capital City of St. Paul, Minnesota is once again hosting this event that will take the sting out of the weather and curb the holiday vexing, with emcee Dixie De’Lamour and the Brass Messengers leading the costumed parade from bar to bar.
CITY PAGES “A-LIST” REVIEW 2012
This Saturday, Lowertown St. Paul will get into the holiday spirit with Lowertown SantaCon V. The yearly pub crawl encourages folks to dress in their seasonal best, be it a classic look (elves, Santa, reindeer), ironic (Christmas work party wear, ugly sweaters), or something truly creative (Turducken, Dreidel monsters, and SantaChrist, anyone?). Along the crawl, revelers will be able to enjoy roving musical sets from from the Brass Messengers, performances from fire dancers (check Mears Park), and visits from Krampus, a beast who appreciates his Jager bombs as much as he enjoys punishing naughty children. Foxy Tann will MC. The party starts at Kelly’s Depot, with stops along the way including the Black Dog, Bulldog, Station 4, and Senor Wong. For updates on where things are happening as they happen, follow the event live on Twitter via @santacon55101. Visit www.LowertownSantacon.info for more.—By Jessica Armbruster
CITY PAGES “FREELOADER FRIDAY” BLOG 2012
The weekend is almost upon us. Free stuff to do includes a bar crawl/street celebration in Lowertown where you can party with Krampus, a binge-drinking beast who likes to torture naughty children. There’s also free theater in the Gonzo Group’s new space, lots of holiday dance parties (including one with a duo who call themselves Sex Burger), and a three-day reception and open house featuring new work by Wing Young Huie. Lowertown SantaCon V (Various locations, but the event officially starts at Kelly’s Depot, 241 E. Kellogg, St. Paul or check Mears Park for performances). Bar crawl featuring roving musicians, fire dancers, Krampus, Brass Messengers, Foxy Tann, and fun shenanigans. More info at www.LowertownSantacon.info or follow the event live on Twitter via @santacon55101. 5:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
VITA.MN “NEWS & REVIEWS” 2012
One part bar crawl, one part costume party and one part spectacle, the five-years-strong Lowertown SantaCon features roving musicians and festivities at various stops throughout the day. Emceed by burlesque diva Foxy Tann, the night includes performances by the Brass Messengers and the Mears Park Fire Demons as well as appearances by Christmas beast-devil Krampus. Stops include Kelly’s Depot Bar, the Bulldog, Barrio, Station 4 and Señor Wong, plus the all-ages Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar. (5:30 p.m. Sat. Free. Lowertown, St. Paul. www.lowertownsantacon.info.) JAHNA PELOQUIN
L’ÉTOILE MAGAZINE “WEEKEND WHAT’S WHAT” 2012
Lowertown SantaCon V @ Various Locations, St. Paul. 5:30 pm-midnight / All ages at Black Dog at 6:30 pm / 21+ other locations / FREE. What could be better than a free pub crawl with a bevy of Santa Clauses, ugly sweaters, live brass music, and the foxiest of drag queen hosts, MC Foxy Tann? If you answered: nothing could possibly be better, then you are in luck! The historic Lowertown district of Saint Paul will play host to its fifth annual SantaCon this year. You will have the option to bring your tiny tots to the kid-friendly portion of the evening at Black Dog Café at 6:30 pm. Afterwards, it will be a combination of a messy Halloween bash and a holiday party gone wild, with live music from the Brass Messengers and more. -Chloe Nelson
LILLE SUBURBAN NEWSPAPERS “YOU’VE HEARD OF THE ZOMBIE PUB CRAWL…” 2012
Now it’s time for “SantaCon,” which is basically another occasion for adults to don costumes and bounce from bar to bar. From 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 to whenever Sunday, the sixth annual Lowertown SantaCon invites Santa impostors, elves, reindeer, ugly-sweater recipients, dreidels or other holiday characters to take a break from holiday stress. Costumes can be campy and creative, as participants fill the streets and The Brass Messengers, a roving brass band, accompanies them to their next destination. For participating locations and a look at past events, go to the https://lowertownsantacon.info site. The Black Dog Cafe will again host an all-ages party, where children can meet Santas galore and “Krampus,” a mythical German creature who keeps kids in line. Organizers note that children who still believe in one Santa may be confused by the number they see onsite, so a cover story may be in order. “Our favorite explanation is cloning.”
ASSOCIATED PRESS “BETTER WATCH OUT: SANTACON IS COMING TO TOWN” 2012
Nigel Parry is organizing the fifth annual SantaCon in Lowertown, an artsy historic neighborhood in St. Paul, Minn. The gathering drew 200 Santas last year and is accompanied by a brass band that leads revelers in and out of bars. One of the first stops is billed as an “all ages” event at the Black Dog Cafe where parents can bring kids. But how do you explain to a wide-eyed 5-year-old why there are 50 Santas, not just one? “That’s up to the parents to get creative,” Parry said. “Some just say, ‘These are not real Santas — they’re just dressed up as Santa.’” Some customers “come in early and stake out their seats” just to watch, said Sara Remke, co-owner of the Black Dog Cafe. “It’s very much a spectator event.”
CITY PAGES “BEST TWIN CITIES PUB CRAWL” 2011
If there’s any surefire trick to making a successful pub crawl, it’s getting dressed up in ridiculous costumes. And what better time for a crawl than right before Christmas? That spirit-crushing phenomenon known as winter in Minnesota is just settling in, and drinking for the next four to six months will be confined to indoors. Might as well get it out of your system beforehand. St. Paul’s Santacon Crawl has the predictable array of jolly, beer-guzzling Kris Kringles, but also a slew of surly elves, drunken reindeer, and even the odd Jäger-slamming Baphomet. Last year’s show was presided over by Foxy Tann, with live music by the Brass Messengers, as the costumed crowd trekked to such popular Lowertown watering holes as Barrio and the Bulldog. The payoff? Meeting up with the Minnesota RollerGirls at Senor Wong. Now there’s some holiday spirit!
CITY PAGES “A-LIST” REVIEW 2011
‘Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through St. Paul, all the creatures were stirring in a drunken free-for-all. This Saturday, festive anarchy will ensue at the fourth annual Lowertown SantaCon. Part bar crawl, part holiday spectacle, this event features folks dressed like Santa, elves, reindeer, and Krampus, a devilish Christmas demon of sorts. As usual, the happening will change bars approximately every hour, with the Brass Messengers serenading revelers on their way to the next location. Stops are planned for Heartland, Kelly’s Depot Bar, Black Dog Coffee & Wine Bar (where the hop will take a moment to be all-ages and family-friendly), Barrio, Bulldog, Senor Wong, and Station 4. Come in costume for drinks specials, and check @santacon55101 on Twitter or text “follow santacon55101” to 40404 for updates on where the party’s headed should you be joining a little late.—By Jessica Armbruster
CITY PAGES “A-LIST” REVIEW 2010
Now in its third year, the Lowertown SantaCon is your chance to party it up holiday-style, without the awkward moments of a holiday office party or family gathering. And while Santa’s big belly and rosy cheeks can probably be attributed to a hard life running an elf-driven sweatshop in a land of frozen tundra, the guy probably knows how to party too. If you can pull off the Kris Kringle look, you certainly should, but if you can’t don’t fret: Just pop on some fake reindeer antlers, come as a kinky leather elf, or simply dress in your ugliest holiday sweater and jingling accessories. The key is to come in costume for the drink specials. The barhop begins at the Hat Trick Lounge, then stumbles along to Trattoria da Vinci, Barrio, Bulldog, Black Dog, Station 4, and, finally, Senor Wong. The Brass Messengers will be serenading sugarplum drunks along the way, while Foxy Tann plays MC. Looking to come a little late but not sure where the party’s at? You can check in with @santacon55101 on Twitter or text “follow santacon55101” to 40404.
365 TWIN CITIES, 2010
“Day 237: Lowertown SantaCon”: Ah, the pub crawl! It has become quite an art form. Or at least an act of solidarity built around two main purposes: the pursuit of malty adult beverages and a common wardrobe element. Back in October we had the Zombie Pub Crawl (Day 187). Then there’s the Snuggie Pub Crawl, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Pub Crawl, and others. This Saturday, another pub crawl hits St. Paul’s Lowertown district starting at 5pm. SantaCon will be recognizable by the hoards of Santas, elves and reindeer mozying from pub to pub in pursuit of the frosty adult beverage and the fellowship of other beer-drinking Santas, elves and reindeer. Catch live music at various stops and get drink specials if you’re dressed in your Santa/elf/hoofed mammal getup. On the route: Barrio, Bulldog, Innuendo, Station 4, and The Blag Dog Cafe. Get creative with your costume. Seen previously at SantaCon were Santasaurus Rex, Zombie Santa, Bad Santa, Santa Jesus, Single Ladies Santa, Grinch Santa…whatever your twisted mind can dream up, make it into a Christmas outfit and you’ll win the admiration and respect of your fellow SantaCon-ers. Leave the tiny tots at home, folks. This is for the big kids, 21+. Toss back a few Candy Cane Martinis or some wine as well. There’s no rule saying you have to drink beer! Christmas carols will abound and drinks will flow. But whatever your poison, you’re sure to finish the evening with some rosy Santa cheeks! For more information, visit the SantaCon homepage.
CITY PAGES “A-LIST” REVIEW 2009
This will be the second year for the Santa-themed barhop in Lowertown, St. Paul. And while milk and cookies add to that big Santa belly, it’s the nightcaps that help make his cheeks rosy and his laugh grand. So throw on that Santa costume (and perhaps some long underwear as well if it’s a chilly night) and hit the streets with like-minded Kris Kringles. Though the event is named after the jolliest man of them all, partiers can also come as elves, reindeer, Hanukkah items, or other holiday-themed characters. The more creative the costume, the better (zombie reindeer or space-age dreidels from the future, anyone?). The barhop begins at 5 p.m. at Señor Wong, but moves to a new location approximately every hour on the hour, with street music provided by Brass Messengers. Participating locations include the Black Dog Café, the Bulldog, Barrio, Rumors and Innuendo, and Station 4, where the Prize Fighters are scheduled to perform and Minnesota Rollergirl fans will also be partying. Drink specials will be offered throughout the night to those in costume making spirits bright, and food donations to Second Harvest Heartland will be accepted at designated bars and clubs along the way.
PIONEER PRESS “BEST OF THE WEEK” REVIEW 2009
Don’t be fooled by the name, SantaCon is not for the tots. It’s an international pub crawl where folks dress up in Santa suits (or another holiday-ish costume of their choice) and go drinking. For the second year in a row, the local SantaCon will take place in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood. Starting at 5 p.m., Santas, along with all their helpers, will gather at Senor Wong and throughout the night visit the Black Dog Café, Bulldog, Barrio and Innuendo before finally ending up at Station 4, where there will be live music and RollerGirls on hand. So whether you choose to be Old St. Nick, Rudolph or Mrs. Claus, everyone wearing a costume qualifies for drink discounts.
L’ÉTOILE MAGAZINE “WEEKEND WHAT’S WHAT” 2009
…it would be a shame to miss the Lowertown SantaCon. From 5pm on, strange Santas and Christmas creatures descend on the capital city to crawl the pubs, led by the wild Brass Messengers street band. We doubt you’ll be able to miss this spectacle!
CITY PAGES CALENDAR REVIEW 2008
This Saturday Lowertown St. Paul will come alive with the spirit of Christmas. Or, more accurately, spirits will be consumed by people in Christmas costumes. Whether you work at the mall as Santa Claus, have reindeer ears that you secretly wish you could wear year round, or happen to have an elf costume just in case, all our welcome to partake in this spirited pub crawl. Arrive in your classiest, trashiest, funniest costumes at th Black Down Wine Bar around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, December 20. The hopping will run to about 10 p.m. with each bar offering specials for those donning festive threads. Can’t make it that early? Here’s the list of bars participating, crawlers will attempt to hit up each bar in the following order, with pauses to sing drunkenly in the park: Black Dog Cafe and Wine Bar; Kelly’s Depot Bar; Gopher Bar; Loto Cafe; Hat Trick Lounge; Senor Wong; Station 4; Innuendo; Drunken Holiday Singing in Mears Park; The Bulldog.—By Jessica Armbruster.