SantaCon is coming to town Saturday, and the MTA is ready to play Grinch.
As jolly Santas, Mrs. Claus’ and festive elves gear up for the annual Big Apple pub crawl, the MTA announced its now-traditional holiday twist: no alcohol on Metro-North or Long Island Rail Road trains, or their platforms, from 4 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 — hours before the debauchery begins — through noon on Sunday, Dec. 15.
While SantaCon enthusiasts typically adorn red and white costumes and ready their flasks, the MTA is busy preparing for the surge of Saint Nicks this weekend — increasing police presence at Penn Station, Grand Central Madison, and Grand Central Terminal to enforce the booze ban.
SantaCon festivities, which are accessible for $15 through a SantaCon app, have become nearly as synonymous with New York City as the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Each year, thousands of Santas, reindeer, elves, and even the occasional Grinch gather for a merry march through participating bars, spreading joy, and occasionally booze-filled chaos, throughout the city.
The MTA, however, has grown weary of the ugly side of SantaCon. Reports of spilled cocktails, rowdy carolers, and the occasional passed-out pubgoer have inspired the agency to take a firmer stance.
Alcoholic beverages will be confiscated, summonses issued, and offenders possibly removed from trains or stations entirely.
Photo courtesy SantaCon
Citing public safety and a desire to “get everyone to their destination smoothly and on time,” MTA Police Chief John Mueller made it clear that holiday spirits of the liquid variety will not be tolerated. This is the 12th year that the MTA has implemented the Grinch-like ban on SantaCon weekend.
Booze ban or not, Big Apple bars will be packed with holiday revelers, and the streets of New York City will undoubtedly once again become a sea of holiday red and white.
For those venturing out this weekend, remember: Stay festive, stay safe, and keep your holiday cheer off the rails — literally.