By Sebastian Murphy-bates For Mailonline

Published: 09:33 EST, 9 December 2017 | Updated: 20:25 EST, 9 December 2017

Hundreds of drinkers descended on London dressed as Father Christmas for SantaCon as the annual American pub crawl hit the UK once more.

Describing itself as 'non-profit, non-political, non-religious and non-sensical', the parade that originated in San Francisco invites people to 'join the naughty list' and down drinks in the capital's bars and open spaces.

But today's festive frivolities weren't restricted to indoor venues, as Santas were spotted pouring themselves drinks outside – with one unloading a large bottle of gin into a plastic bottle.

One of St Nick's elves was pictured grappling with another little helper in the dirt while another reveller relieved himself in a bush.

Attendees are also invited to bring carol sheets to the parade for drunken sing-a-longs as they walk between bars.

Some seemed content with climbing on frames in children's play areas and drinking cans of lager on park benches while one honoured comedian Sacha Baron Cohen by fusing a traditional take on Santa with the character Ali G.

London's SantaCon festivities carried on well into the night and revellers were pictured dancing in the streets following the Christmas-themed pub crawl that took place in cities across the world

Dozens of Santas gathered in Trafalgar Square and many of the hardy revellers were still clutching cans of lager several hours after the pub crawl kicked off

Defying the cold weather, this elf braved the freezing cold of London wearing little more than a jumper and mittens

A group of Santa costume-clad revellers down a variety of drinks as the SantaCon pub crawl in London dragged on into the night

A right old mess: After the party goers had left, London's Trafalgar Square was left covered in rubbish. Discarded drinks containers, a deck chair and even a traffic cone were dumped near to Nelson's Column

Has Santa had one too many? A Father Christmas was pictured lying on the pavement while a friend appeared to be trying to help them during the SantaCon pub crawl

SantaCon – which takes place in hundreds of cities around the world – invited revellers to 'join the naughty list'. These Bad Santas did their best to make the list and were pictured downing cans of lager in a London park

Bad Santa: Revellers dressed as Father Christmas descended on a playground in Tower Hill, London following the SantaCon event. Clutching bottles of alcohol, they stood in a circle and watched as one Santa performed the limbo

Clutching a can of beer and perched precariously on some scaffolding, this Father Christmas seemed to be inviting an accident to happen

These rowdy St Nicks were piled into a Tube station on Saturday evening following SantaCon. One of the revellers jumped onto the shoulders of a friend

A group of rowdy Father Christmases were pictured squeezing onto a Tube train on Saturday evening following the SantaCon

One Santa – perhaps relying on his experience squeezing down chimneys – squeezed himself down a children's slide with the help of an elf

Cheeky! One scantily-clad SantaCon goer appeared to flash her underwear as she braved the freezing temperatures in a short skirt and thigh-high stockings

One punter wearing a Santa hat was pictured enjoying the pub crawl while downing a bottle of wine

All I want for Christmas: Love was in the air for this amorous couple who were caught in a passionate clinch during SantaCon

Hundreds of revellers descended on the streets of London on Saturday for this year's SantaCon pub crawl. This young lady appeared to be enjoying herself

This Santa was just one of hundreds enjoying themselves in London today during the SantaCon pub crawl

Hundreds of revellers dressed as Father Christmas descended on the streets of London today for SantaCon. One of the festive partygoers let off a red flare while his fellow santas videos

One of the female Santas was pictured clutching a bottle of cheap alcoholic drink Lambrini as she braved London's plunging winter temperatures wearing just a red Father Christmas dress

Alcohol was a running theme of the day and this Father Christmas knocked back rum from a can while taking part in festivities

The police were on hand to make sure no-one was making the naughty list as the crowd gathered on the streets of London

Rein it in: Revellers were not just dressed as Santa – some came in costume as Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

One of the Santas appeared to be drinking from his shoe. The reveller lifted the dirty Converse trainer to his mouth while his friend did the same in the background

This Father Christmas wannabe held a a bottle of Jägermeister. He was just one of hundreds of people on the streets of London for this year's SantaCon

Santa's new ride: As the sun went down and temperatures plunged even further across the capital, a group of Santas climbed onto the famous lions in Trafalgar Square

Two Father Christmases lounged on the iconic lions in Trafalgar Square on Saturday

Hundreds of people dressed as Santa took to the streets of London today for the parade, which originated in San Francisco

One drinker enjoying SantaCon was spotted urinating in a bush as others carried on drinking in the capital's pubs and open spaces

A female Santa unloads a big bottle of gin into a plastic bottle during the parade, in which drinkers dressed as St Nick took to the streets of London

Crowds squeeze through streets in the capital. Participants are invited to 'join the naughty list' in the annual walk and can download carol sheets for the parade

A man drinks a can of lager on a park bench while another holds a Santa sack and other revellers congregate on the grass

SantaCon attendees took over children's playgrounds, climbing up frames and drinking alcohol as they paraded through London for the annual celebration

Father Christmas pour Baileys into a flask at this year's London SantaCon, which saw hundreds dress up as St Nick for the pub crawl parade. These drinkers are pictured at King's Cross

A men dresses as Father Christmas riding Rudolf in the absence of his trusty sleigh as he and two other SantaCon enthusiasts stroll through London

This convention-goer fused Sacha Baron Cohen's comedy creation Ali G with Father Christmas, complete with a drawn-on beard

A group of Santas record two workshop elves wrestling in the dirt as they enjoy a drink in the park for London's 2017 SantaCon

Hundreds of red-clad pub crawlers paraded through the capital in this year's SantaCon, which mirrors the yearly US celebration of the same name

Father Christmases take a break from walking to try out a playground's see-saw while non-participants appear undisturbed on park benches

Three women climbed to the top of a frame in playground while enjoying a drink of alcohol during today's London SantaCon

Santas descend on a playground in London to test out a swing as hundreds marched through the capital in festive costume

SantaCon fans drink on top of a children's climbing frame as they enjoy the annual parade through London in fancy dress

The parade saw hundreds descend on playgrounds, parks and other public spaces while dressed as Father Christmas for the annual event

Parks were packed with drinkers dressed as Father Christmas for the annual SantaCon parade through the capital

A cyber-punk take on Father Christmas sees a man wearing Dr Martens boots stroll through London while dressed up for this year's SantaCon

This Santa swapped his sack for cylinders full of beer as another parade enthusiast enjoys a cigarette at London's pub crawl parade

The SantaCon fans descend on a park in London during today's parade, which is based on an annual American pub crawl that started in San Francisco

Some brought drums for the parade in which participants are invited to sing carols from a sheet that can be downloaded at the SantaCon London website

Santa appears to be sipping from a bottle of sparkling white wine as other convention-goers join in the festivities around him

Santa snaps a selfie during the parade through London as others gather round a giant, multi-coloured Christmas tree in the capital

Santas stroll through King's Cross in central London for the convention, which saw hundreds gather for festivities across the capital today

A woman in full fancy dress – complete with Dr Marten boots – drinks a can of gin and tonic on a bench in King's Cross, London

SantaCon-goers pose for a group selfie in central London as they enjoy a drink during today's annual Christmas-themed parade

Revellers don Father Christmas costumes while drinking beer as hundreds more gathered for the 2017 SantaCon in the capital

A woman drinks a can of lager near as other SantaCon fans stand on a bench and gather around a giant, multi-coloured Christmas tree in King's Cross

The non-profit, non-political and non-sensical parade drew hundreds out to London's public spaces and pubs for the annual SantaCon

SantaCon fans pour through a London park for this year's parade as hundreds turned out for the 2017 celebration in the capital

One SantaCon fan opts for pink while he is surrounded by other revellers dressed in a more traditional red as they drink in London

Rudolf waves an Ulster Rugby flag amid a crowd on Santas carrying supermarket bags as they drink in one of London's parks at the 2017 SantaCon

Father Christmas appears to throw something across a crowd of revellers while another waves at the camera from the background

SantaCon participants scream at each other as Rudolf waves an Ulster Rugby flag and others keep up the drinking in a London park

These SantaCon enthusiasts opted for reindeer costumes at the annual celebration and were seen drinking with the amassed crowds in London

Today's SantaCon brought hundreds to celebrate across the capital while dressed as Father Christmas for the annual parade

A man dresses as Mrs Claus while two Santas check out his legs as they walk through London for this year's SantaCon drinking celebration

Drinkers descended on the capital's streets to participate in the 2017 SantCon, a celebration which originated in the USA

A woman smokes a cigarette and holds a can of cider while another waves a bottle in the air during today's parade through London

Santas were spotted enjoying drinks as they walked through central London for the mass pub crawl known as SantaCon

Crowds gather in Granary Square, London, with a giant, multi-coloured Christmas tree as they participate in SantaCon 2017

Drinkers march through London's streets carrying bottles of booze for the annual festive pub crawl parade that started in the USA

A Father Christmas addresses the crowds gathered for SantaCon in London's Granary Square as participants gather for the annual festivities

A red-face Father Christmas shouts as another carries a beer bottle while parading through the streets of London for the pub crawl

Santas stop traffic in Euston Road, London, as one carries a miniature Christmas tree during the drinking parade through the capital

Drag queen Santa complete with a string of pearls and platform boots walks with other parade enthusiasts, bringing roads to a standstill

Father Christmas complete with fishnet stockings strolls through the capital with hundreds of others for this year's SantaCon

SantaCon fans funnel through the streets of London today as hundreds joined for the festivities of drinking dressed up as Father Christmas, elves and reindeer

The celebration quite literally gives a new meaning to Christmas as one reveller marks the big man's birthday while joining the crows in the capital

A drag queen Santa downs a can of Stella while sporting a pearl necklace, garish make-up and baubles as earrings for today's festivities in London

A man sports a suit covered in Santa Claus, elf and reindeer cartoons while walking with other revellers in London during today's parade

Elves are spotted walking out of an alleyway clutching cans of lager during today's parade pub crawl through London

Santa takes a selfie among a crowd of drinkers dressed as Father Christmas during the parade through London today

Santas stack on top of one another in a pyramid formation during today's drinking in London as a miniature Christmas tree sits decorated in beer cans

Even pets were welcome during today's SantaCon parade through London, where hundreds were seen marching through the capitals streets drinking

Drinking continued throughout the day for SantaCon 2017 in London as hundreds turned out across the capital's street for the 'non-sensical' celebration

Santa hitches a ride on a motorbike in East London as crowds cover the capital's streets for SantaCon 2017, which was founded in San Francisco

Santas gather outside an off licence in London to stock up for the parade as a woman with a book looks baffled by the number of St Nicks surrounding her and her pug

Rudolf falls over in the street, can in hand, while other participants in SantaCon 2017 laugh and a car struggles to find a path through the crowds

Santa swaps his sleigh for a motorbike, jumping on the vehicle in London as the drinking celebration continued into the late afternoon

Santa blocks the motorbike's way as another rides the vehicle through East London while the driver looks amused

Santas cheer as another salutes while taking a ride on a motorbike through East London during today's SantaCon celebrations

A woman dressed as a reindeer performs the splits while carrying a can of cider as crowds continue to drink for the annual parade

Passers-by are confronted with crowds of Santa Clauses as the convention comes to London once more for a day of parades and pub crawls

A Dr Marten-wearing Father Christmas sits on top of a barrel in Aldgate, East London, as SantaCon 2017 grows more chaotic

Santas stock up at an off licence in London as they prepare to hit the capital's streets once more for an afternoon of drinking

Two Santas climb on top of a skip in East London and enjoy a dance during today's SantaCon drinking parade through the capital

Crowds continued to drink as evening approached in the capital during this year's SantaCon as hundreds hit the streets for the parade

Women march through East London while a man sports elf ears and a festive hat during the parade across the capital

A man walks through the streets of London with hundreds of others while dressed as Santa and drinking cider as SantaCon continues into the late afternoon

Drinkers continue to parade through the capital while drinking for the annual festive celebration, which originated in the US

A woman twerks on a taxi in London as Santas take over the capital's streets as onlookers are greeted with hundreds of revellers

Santa downs spirits from a hip flask as crowds stop traffic in London during the annual parade, which was founded in San Francisco

Traffic was forced to a standstill in some parts of the capital as SantaCon fans took to the streets for an annual parade fuelled by alcohol

A woman climbs onto a taxi in London as crowds flocked to fill up the capital's streets with a festive celebration of drinking in this year's SantaCon

Cars struggled to find a path through the chaos caused by Santas who were seen climbing in skips during today's celebration

A woman raises a can of Stella above her head while sitting on top of her friend's shoulders amid a sea of Santas during the parade through London

A Santa raises a Christmas tree topped with a festive hat above his head while surrounded by a sea of drinkers in London

A Santa raises his fist above his head while siting on top of one of Trafalgar Square's lion statues in central London

As SantaCon continued in the evening, one drinker was spotted after climbing on top of a coach in London as part of the parade

Climbing on objects increased as the parade continued as this year's SantaCon hit the streets of London

Father Christmas sits on top of a barrel after suffering a split to his costume in this year's SantaCon parade through the capital

A Santa on top of a snowman on top of a van is pictured alongside others outside Aldgate Station in London as SantaCon hit the capital today

The Santas help others onto the van outside Aldgate Station as a bus passenger looks on at the carnage in London today

A group ended up scaling the van outside Aldgate Station in London where SantaCon revellers descended on the capital

Hundreds hit the streets dressed as Father Christmas as part of this year's SantaCon, a parade that originated in the USA

A woman is seen downing a can of beer amid a sea of Santas during today's parade as hundreds gathered in the street and climbed on structures

Santa stands on top of a bollard in Brick Lane, East London, as hundreds pile into the streets to celebrate this year's SantaCon

Santa Clauses pose next to a statue outside Aldgate Station in London as hundreds hit the streets to celebrate SantaCon 2017

An elf and a Santa enjoy a drink at The Prince of Wales during the SantaCon pub crawl, which originated in San Francisco

A Santa holds a red balloon in East London as she joins hundreds of others on the parade and pub crawl through the capital

Santa sports a futuristic visor among a sea of drinkers that hit the capital for today's festive celebration in London

Hundreds of reindeer, Santas and Christmas trees were seen partying across the capital for the annual pub crawl parade

A Santa sits on top of one of the Trafalgar Square lions in central London as hundreds descended on the capital's streets for the festivities

One Santa puts his can of Stella to one side while a group looks on during today's celebrations across the capital

And it was not just London that saw an army of Santas descend onto the streets. New York also hosted its own SantaCon – and this Father Christmas was pictured holding a giant fish

Jumping for joy: One Santa was clearly enjoying himself on the snowy streets of New York

This elf looked to be having fun despite the snow and freezing cold temperatures

A festive-themed cheerleader defied the snow and plunging temperatures to enjoy herself while perched on top of another reveller's shoulders

The Big Apple is being battered by Winter Storm Benji which could blanket the city in up to four inches of snow. But it did not put off these revellers who braved the white stuff to take part in festivities

An army of Santas was pictured marching through the streets of New York – ignoring weather forecasts warning of hazardous conditions as a storm moves into the east coast of America

The Big Apple turned red on Saturday as thousands of revellers took to the streets of New York to celebrate the annual SantaCon event

The festivities saw a range of weird and wonderful get ups – including this man's unique take on the traditional Father Christmas look

According to its official website, SantaCon takes place in hundreds of cities across 51 countries every year

Original Article

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