Calling All Bad Santas

By Rachelle Bowden in News on Dec 1, 2005 5:29PM

If your inner Bad Santa is dying to get out and express itself then we've found the perfect event for you. Santarchy. Yeh, you heard us: SANTARCHY.

Santarchy is a nonplitical, non-religious, not-for-profit (free), demented Santa Claus convention. A mass gathering of Santa Clauses that will spread a little disruptive, holiday cheer to everyone they encounter. It's part prank, part culture jam, part pub crawl.

Santarchy events are worldwide. This year's 2nd Annual Chicago Santarchy will take place on Saturday, December 17. Meet up with all of Chicago's naughty Santas at Durkins (Diversey & Halstead) at 3pm. They're not sure how late the event will go but say to expect "a long day." The actual itinerary is a secret until the actual day, but organizers say you can expect this: it will start & end in Lakeview, there will be lots of walking, you'll be taking the L, people will look at you funny, you'll be pub hopping, and most important, it will be tons of fun.

The event is free and open to all Santas but any food or drinks you get won't be free, everyone buys their own. Here's what you need to participate: A cheap Santa suit. To participate, you MUST dress like Santa Claus (or Mrs. Claus or an elf, etc.). The Santarchy organizers say that it's actually much better to buy a cheap santa suit than to rent one.. and that the event will be so fun that you'll want to do it again next year anyway. And also, if you have your own suit you can modify it, accessorize it, make it naughty, make it nice. Bonus points are awarded for creativity. They also advise that you should think about this NOW and not wait for the last minute to figure your outfit out. Here are some ideas for places to get a cheap Santa suit ($27.99 and up) or how to make one yourself.

Finally, Santarchy needs critial mass to happen. Three drunk Santas is sad; two drunk Santas is pathetic; and one drunk Santa is just plain creepy. RSVP - chicagosantarchy@gmail.com - so they can get a headcount, and email will go out on December 16th to confirm the time & place.

Images from Santarchy 2004 via santarchy, Chicago Bike Winter, joshdeth