Unlocking Our Story
From our early San Francisco origins to building a community movement in Downtown San Mateo.
2025
Mission Accomplished
Our initiates proved they had what it takes. Over 150 Santas took over downtown, conquering 19 absurd challenges across 13 local businesses. Together, we brought maximum holiday mischief to the streets and raisedi $2,500 for NAMI San Mateo County to support local mental health.
2024
Santalympics
On Dec 7, 2024, six teams—Gift Graham, Pine Prancer, Bell Bauble, Bill Blizzard, Rosie Rap and Dizzy Dreidel lit the official Santalympics torch and dashed through games, rallies, and downtown shenanigans. Medals were won, heads turned, and joy was everywhere.
2023
Holly AI Hijinks
In 2023, SantaCon took a techy twist with HollyAI, a quirky AI, relocating the event to San Mateo and crafting 10 whimsical challenges. Participants navigated Holly’s holiday hijinks with teamwork and cheer to teach her the true spirit of Santa Mateo.
2019-2022
Creativity in the Fog
This playful spirit thrived, even through the challenges of the pandemic. The event adapted with inventive games and antics, blending creativity with safety while keeping the holiday mischief alive. As themes and activities evolved, the community continued to grow, proving that this joy can endure anything.
2015 - 2018
Where it all began
Starting in 2015, a group of San Franciscans set out to revive the playful, community-driven roots of holiday bar crawls by replacing commercialized chaos with art, humor, and interactive storytelling. From movie-themed antics during 2015’s Buddy the Elf's Holiday Adventures and a stormy pause in 2016, to high-energy citywide puzzle hunts in 2017's Quest for the Real Santa and costumed street acts in 2018's Twelve Holiday Performances, these early years transformed a festive tradition into an immersive, challenge-packed celebration of local creativity.
This is the coolest event of the year—where the holiday cheer is as big as a snowstorm, and everyone’s on my nice list!
Bill Blizzard
Chief Chill Officer