San Francisco’s Union Square transformed into a joyful holiday playground on Saturday as hundreds of people dressed in red-and-white Santa suits gathered for the city’s annual SantaCon celebration. Under bright blue skies, Santas, Grinches, reindeer and elves filled the square with music, laughter and festive chaos.
SantaCon is a mix of toy drive, street party and pub crawl, encouraging participants to donate gifts to the San Francisco Fire Department’s annual toy drive while enjoying a lighthearted day of celebration across the city.
Music, Costumes and Holiday Chaos
Near the massive Christmas tree, Santas headbanged to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” while a Pikachu dressed as Santa spun toy cars wrapped in gift paper. Elsewhere, a Grinch stole the spotlight, posing for photos with fans who lined up to celebrate the mischievous character’s birthday.
A marching band featuring tubas, trumpets and saxophones delighted the crowd, leading sing-alongs to holiday classics like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
A Celebration That Builds Friendships
For Roxana Tejada-Joya, 48, and Kerry Easthope, 57, SantaCon marked a special milestone. The pair celebrated the anniversary of their friendship, which began two years ago during SantaCon. What started as a casual invitation turned into a lasting bond, formed amid Santa hats and holiday cheer.
“I always saw people dressed as Santa and thought it looked like so much fun,” Easthope said. “This event brings people together in the best way.”
Perfect Weather After Last Year’s Storm
Unlike last year’s SantaCon, which was hit by heavy rain and severe weather warnings, this year’s event enjoyed ideal conditions. Toni Roberts, a longtime SantaCon participant, said the clear skies made the celebration even better.
Roberts has attended SantaCon events in San Francisco and even abroad, saying the tradition remains the same everywhere: dress up, walk together and enjoy the moment. “There are really no rules,” she said. “It’s just about having fun.”
Santas Across the City and Beyond
While Union Square was the main hub, SantaCon celebrations also popped up in San Francisco’s Mission District. Across the country and around the world, Santas gathered in cities from Texas to Rhode Island, with international visitors joining in from places like Canada, Germany and Puerto Rico.
Among the crowd were reindeer, pandas and elves, though elves are humorously warned on the SantaCon website that their costumes may attract playful teasing.
A Grinch, a Toddler and Pure Holiday Joy
One of the most popular figures of the day was Shawn Gementera, dressed as the Grinch. Spending his birthday at SantaCon, he posed for more than 100 photos, danced with the crowd and delighted children with playful antics.
Perhaps the youngest and most memorable attendee was 2-year-old Rusty J. Snider, attending his third SantaCon. His father hopes the experience will help him grow into a confident, outgoing and joyful person. Rusty happily marched through the crowd, stopping for high-fives along the way.
Conclusion
San Francisco’s SantaCon once again proved that holiday spirit comes in many forms — Santas, Grinches, toddlers and lifelong friendships. With perfect weather, lively music and a strong focus on giving back, the annual event brought smiles, laughter and festive magic to Union Square and beyond.
