A Sea Of Santas Expected During The 3rd Annual Riverhead SantaCon Pub Crawl

Pub crawls are fun, but this December the Suffolk Theater in Riverhead is once again taking a seasonal East End bar tour and taking it to the next level.

“It’s always great to see the crowds gather in the summer, but Riverhead Santacon gives the Riverhead community a chance to come together for a festive gathering during the holiday season,” said Nicole Evers, Director of Events at the Suffolk Theater. “Both patrons and business and restaurants… Everyone’s dressed up, some people sing carols moving from one location to the other, old friends reconnect over holiday fare!”

Several East End venues are participating in this year’s SantaCon. (Photo: Suffolk Theater)

On Saturday, December 10th, get ready for endless Santa sightings when the 3rd Annual Riverhead SantaCon Pub Crawl comes to Main Street from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Have you been living under a rock and are unfamiliar with SantaCon? It’s a yearly mass meeting of people dressed up in holiday garb – most come as Santa Claus – who barhop. For the Riverhead SantaCon, attendees buy a $10 bracelet, which are available at participating restaurants and bars or online at the Suffolk Theater’s website, prior to the event. On the big day, pub crawlers will follow their fellow Kris Kringles on an adventure from venue to venue where your magical bracelet earns you drink and food specials at each spot.

Attendees can don anything holiday themed. (Photo: Suffolk Theater)

If you’re thinking do I really need to come wearing a full on Santa costume. The answer is no. You can come as anything holiday themed, but make sure to really commit to your outfit because “that ‘just a hat’ bullsh*t” won’t be tolerated, according to SantaCon’s website. But, the Suffolk Theater is hosting its Ugly Sweater Party during SantaCon, so your tackiest holiday top will do – if paired with other festive accessories.

So where can you “get your Santa on” during the East End SantaCon? Participating venues include Cliff’s Rendezvous (313 East Main Street, Riverhead), Crooked Ladder Brewing Company (70 West Main Street, Riverhead), Digger O’Dell’s (58 West Main Street, Riverhead), Joe’s Garage & Grill (40 Peconic Avenue, Riverhead), Vines & Hops (127 E Main St, Riverhead), and the Suffolk Theater (118 East Main Street, Riverhead). Attendees can start the pub crawl at whichever destination they would like and a full map with specials will be available on Suffolk Theater’s website on the days leading up to the event.

Cheers to Santa and the holiday season. (Photo: Suffolk Theater)

“We call it the East End’s newest tradition and it has become just that for everyone who takes part,” added Evers.

A portion of the proceeds from SantaCon – the “charitable, non-commercial, nonpolitical, non-sensible Santa Claus convention that happens once a year for absolutely no reason” – will support the RSVP Animal Welfare and Rescue Group, a Long Island-based 501c3 animal welfare organization whose goal is “to stop pet abuse, neglect & overpopulation in our communities.”

For more information, visit www.suffolktheater.com.