SantaCon, oh SantaCon. Where for art thou SantaCon?

Uh, what we meant to say is, when will you be, SantaCon?

You know what day we're talking about. The day everyone loves to hate (but really secretly loves). The day the Long Island Railroad and New Jersey Transit Trains are flooded with everyone from a 45-year-old Santa Claus to a 21-year-old Santa Claus.

The bars are all packed to a breaking point, filled completely to the brim with everyone dressed as, you guessed it, Santa Claus. 

Sometimes there's even an elf or two. 

Usually you get completely trashed and have a blast, and stumble out of the bar immersed in a bleary in-love-with-the-city bliss.

The people who didn't pregame are sad because making your way to the bar on SantaCon to actually order a beer is a Herculean feat. If you're SantaConning this year, take our advice and pregame like your day depends on it. Since, you know, it does.

This year, the day of madness we just described will pop off on December 12th. We would suggest participating. Those who don't participate usually stomp around the city in an indignant rage, and nobody wants that.

You know the schtick. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. 

The indignant rage we discussed has elevated to the point that several neighborhoods have actually banned SantaCon participants from entering their bar on the fateful day. The East Village and the Lower East Side, as well as part of Chinatown, have banned Santa Con from their midst this year.

iamchriscole #TBT to @jpb_jamie and I being skimpy Santa and slutty Rudolph for #santacon back in 2012 #sanfrancisco #iloveSF

That's okay though, SantaCon happy partiers. Hell's Ktichen will be popping off with just as much enthusiasm as ever.

Plus, SantaCon is more than just destructive partying. It usually earns a pretty penny for its charitable causes. It raised $60,000 in 2013.

SantaCon's organizers have also attempted to reel in the mayhem by posting "Santa's Code" on their site, with pleas like "donate to charity," and "spread joy, not terror, vomit, or trash."

The route for the march hasn't been announced yet, but we'll keep you updated as we learn more. In the meantime, mark December 12th off on your calendars: either as a day of drunken reveling, or a day you'll attempt to stay as far away from the SantaConners as possible.

Check out 5 Signs It's Already Holiday Season in NYC. 

[Feature Image Courtesy The Shortsighted New Yorker]