What is SantaCon -- and Why Do So Many People Hate it?
Ridiculous History
iHeartPodcasts
4.2 • 4.7K Ratings
🗓️ 2 June 2026
⏱️ 37 minutes
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Summary
One thing about the United States -- we'll throw a party for anything. As a result, it's no surprise that back in 1994, a group of well-meaning pranksters in San Francisco decided to don Santa Claus costumes in a whimsical protest against capitalism. Although it was originally meant to be a one-off event, SantaCon was a hit! Over the next few years it expanded into multiple celebrations across the country, and then across the globe. But with this expansion came a change... and it wasn't long before residents of various towns (especially New York City) saw SantaCon as less lighthearted fun, and more as a booze-fueled free-for-all of soused, wild Santas terrifying the streets. Tune in as Ben, Noel and Max discover the wholesome origins of SantaCon -- and why so many people seem to hate it today.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Ridiculous History is a production of IHeart Radio. Welcome back to the show, fellow ridiculous historians. |
| 0:29.5 | Oh, ho, ho, ho. |
| 0:31.3 | Thank you so much, as always, for tuning in. |
| 0:34.1 | We are back in a ridiculous, typical history fashion. We are indeed doing a Christmas |
| 0:40.2 | episode in the summer. Yes, with bells on, with Yule Tide, Lance, Christmas in June. That is |
| 0:47.6 | none other than our own super producer, Max the Freight Train Williams. I think we might even be a month early for an unseasonable Christmas discussion. |
| 0:58.0 | Wouldn't that typically be Christmas in July? |
| 1:00.0 | Yeah. |
| 1:00.7 | That would be the cliche. |
| 1:02.6 | Oh, boy. |
| 1:03.1 | We just can't get it right. |
| 1:04.1 | We're going to get it right. |
| 1:05.7 | We released the Leap Year episode on the Leap Year. |
| 1:09.6 | Oh, that's true. |
| 1:10.4 | Hey, guys. Hey, guys. |
| 1:11.3 | Hey, guys. |
| 1:12.4 | We are just ahead of the curve. |
| 1:15.8 | Okay. |
| 1:16.3 | Love that. |
| 1:16.5 | That's what we'll say instead of. |
| 1:17.8 | This is what they in the industry call a tent pole episode. |
| 1:21.9 | Ben, I think I've talked on the podcast, definitely off mic with you about my recent |
... |
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