From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
SantaCon is a mass gathering of people dressed
in Santa Claus
costumes parading publicly on streets and in bars in cities around
the world. The focus is on spontaneity and creativity, while having
a good time and spreading cheer and goodwill.[1]
Sometimes known as Naughty Santas, Cheapsuit
Santas, Santarchy,
Santapalooza, and Santa Rampage,
SantaCon incorporates elements of a flash mob in the context of cheerful bawdy
and harmless behavior, the singing of naughty Christmas carols, and the giving of small
gifts to strangers.
In 1994, the Suicide Club in San Francisco staged the
first "Santarchy", which was later adopted by the Cacophony
Society as SantaCon. Influenced by the surrealist movement, Discordianism, and
other subversive art currents, the Cacophonists celebrated the Yule season in a distinctly
anti-commercial manner, by mixing guerrilla street theatre
and pranksterism. SantaCon has since evolved, spawning many
different versions and interpretations of the event throughout the
world.[2]
Santa Rampage 2004 (Austin)
In 2005, a more violent
version of the event occurred when on December 18, participants in
Auckland, New Zealand, proceeded
to start a small riot, with such
criminal acts as looting stores, throwing bottles at passing cars, and assaulting security guards. At least two
bystanders were lightly injured and three arrests were made. Alex
Dyer, spokesman for the group, stated that Santarchy in Auckland
was part of a worldwide phenomenon designed to protest against the
commercialization of Christmas.[3]
In popular
culture
- The Santa Rampage is mentioned in Chuck Palahniuk's book Fugitives
and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon and in his short
story "My Life as a Dog" (featured in the book Stranger Than
Fiction: True Stories).
References
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