NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Running of the Santas, the annual pilgrimage of costumed revelers through the streets of the city’s Warehouse District, returns for its ninth year in just one month on Saturday, December 7, 2019. This year’s “run” features a new South Pole at Apres Lounge on Fulton Street. Costumed Santas will then make the fun run to the North Pole at Generations Hall with live entertainment from Category 6 and an extravagant costume contest with entrants from both the nice and naughty list.
The city’s most raucous holiday tradition, listed as one of the “Top 50 events every New Orleanian should experience,” kicks off with holiday food and specialty drinks from 3 to 6 p.m. at the “South Pole” located at Apres Lounge, at 608 Fulton St. At 6 p.m., the crowd of Santas will begin the five-block “Fun Run” to the “North Pole” located at Generations Hall, at 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. followed by the city’s largest holiday costume contest at 8 p.m. Registration for the event opens at 11 a.m. on the day of the event at Apres, but registration is available now online.
New Orleans’ most vibrant holiday tradition calls for “runners” from all over the Gulf Coast to don their most creative Christmas attire for a chance to win the treasured “Best Holiday Costume” award. Event organizers are expecting more than 3,000 costumed participants this year donned as Santa, Mrs. Claus, Scrooge, Rudolph, Jingle Bells, Jack Frost, Old Man Winter and much more. Last year’s “Running of the Santas” attracted thousands of revelers from across the Gulf Coast to the streets of downtown New Orleans to participate in the most unique and craziest Christmastime event.
The much-anticipated holiday costume contest with some of the most outlandish Christmastime outfits in town will take place on the main stage at Generations Hall and will be judged by local media celebrities. Prizes will be awarded for first and second places. Category 6 will headline this year’s “Running of the Santas” post-run concert.
Advanced tickets are now available for $20. VIP tickets are $85 and include an open bar at Generations Hall. New details concerning the New Orleans “Running of the Santas” will be released via Facebook at facebook.com/runningsantas and on Twitter @RunningSantas.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit That Others May Live Foundation. The foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2002. The foundation provides scholarships, family counseling, and aid to surviving children of United States Air Force (USAF) Rescue Heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice during a rescue mission. The goal of the program is to ensure that every child of a fallen personnel recovery service member receives an opportunity for success.
