History

Started in Manayunk in 1998, the Running of the Santas is an annual bar crawl where participants dress up in Santa costumes, drink and go for a short run to the "North Pole," a closing party. Over the years, the Philadelphia Running of the Santas has moved from Manayunk to South Street before settling at its current Northern Liberties location. According to the Running of the Santas' website, over 5,000 Santas now participate in the Philadelphia crawl.


Each year, part of the event's proceeds go to charity.

Although the event began in Philadelphia, official Running of the Santas bar crawls also now take place in several cities across the United States and in New Zealand.

2010 Philadelphia Running of the Santas Information

The 2010 Philadelphia Running of the Santas will take place on December 18. The schedule is as follows:

• Noon – Drink specials are available at several city bars: FOP Lodge #5, Kildare's, Paddy Whacks, The Irish Pol, McGillicuddy's, Buckhead Saloon, P.J. Whelihan's, Urban Saloon, Mad River, Lucy's, Fado and Field House.
• 3 p.m. – The Running of the Santas moves to Finnigan's Wake.
• 5 p.m. – The "Hottest Santa" contest takes place.
• 6 p.m. – Participants run to "The North Pole," an end party at the Electric Factory with live entertainment and more drink specials.

Tickets for the event are $23 in advance and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

For more information about the Running of the Santas and the 2010 event, visit the Running of the Santas website.