Home / Arts and Entertainment / Archival Footage Uncovers the Surprising History of SantaCon
Archival Footage Uncovers the Surprising History of SantaCon
31 Oct
Summary
- SantaCon started in the 1990s as a creative, anarchic event
- Organizers have since disowned the event due to its drunken chaos
- Footage shows Santas risking lives, singing twisted carols, and confusing onlookers
A forthcoming documentary is set to uncover the surprising history behind the infamous SantaCon event in New York City. According to the director, Seth Porges, the more he delved into archival footage from SantaCon's early years in the 1990s, the more he realized this story serves as a window into how much society has changed in recent times.
SantaCon, which sees hundreds of Santa cosplayers swarm the streets of New York City each year, was originally launched by the Cacophony Society, the same group that created the Burning Man festival in San Francisco. However, the event has since been disowned by its organizers due to the drunken chaos it has become.
The documentary's trailer unveils the true history behind "the most hated event on the planet." Porges was shocked to discover that there was once a time when the goal of SantaCon was not to be famous or rich, but simply to have fun. The footage shows Santas risking death to climb the Brooklyn Bridge under the shadow of the Twin Towers, singing twisted Christmas carols with Michael Moore, and even accusing the author of Fight Club of being an undercover cop. All the while, confused onlookers were taken over by feelings of wonder, joy, and awe.
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Porges believes this shift in sentiment, from awe to hatred, represents what it's like to live in a world you no longer understand, and one that may not be meant for you.
