Party-goers in dressed as Santa enjoy night out before Christmas

by · Mail Online

Party-goers dressed in Santa costumers have been out painting the town red on the last-but-one Saturday night before Christmas. 

People in Leeds enjoyed one last festive booze-up before the Christmas celebrations begin in earnest in under two weeks time, with images capturing a fun and drunken night out on the town. 

Images captured people clad in their best red and white Santa gear enjoying themselves on the penultimate weekend before Christmas. 

On Saturday, festive revellers were warned not to urinate in the street, litter or 'be stupid' as they don Father Christmas outfits for the annual Santacon pub crawl in London. 

Hundreds of people descended on the capital dressed up in their finest festive attire and took to the streets on Saturday evening for pre-Christmas revels. 

Inspired by the event which originated in San Francisco, Santacon is described as a 'non-profit, non-political, non-religious and non-sensical' Christmas parade which traditionally takes place in London one Saturday every December. 

Revellers were pictured enjoying a night out on the town in Leeds on Saturday night 
People turned up to paint the town red and white on the penultimate Saturday before Christmas
People were more than happy to be photographed as they enjoyed the festivities 
Some also dressed up as elves as they celebrated their night out on the town in Leeds 
Some came prepared with red hats as they enjoyed a tipple or two 
Images show people dressed up in their best festive gear taking part in London's pub crawl 
People gathered in pubs and bars across the capital as they welcomed in the festive season 
The festivities kicked off in style at 11am on Saturday morning as people descended on London
Some came prepared with red hats as they enjoyed a tipple o
Despite the cold weather, one man felt brave enough to take his top off as he enjoyed a drink 
These party-goers were seen having fun on Leeds's 'Otley Run' pub crawl stretch
People have been donning festive gear and taking to the capital for more than 10 years 
One woman had an impressive hairdo on display as she celebrated the festive season 
Some people came prepared with their own supply of drinks for London's Santacon event 
People donned the festive gear as they headed into the capital for a booze-up 

The festivities began at 11am on Saturday morning.  

Revellers were warned not to be 'that' Santa, and to not 'pee in the street', 'litter' or 'be stupid'. 

On the event's Facebook page, organisers wrote: 'Put on your best Santa suit and get ready to spread holiday cheer as we sing carols and enjoy some festive drinks throughout the day.

'Remember to keep it festive and fun by not being 'that' Santa. Do make an effort with your outfit, don't come dressed in just a festive jumper and jeans. Do give out gifts and treats, don't pee in the street. Do sing carols loud for everyone to hear, don't be stupid and litter'. 

Images show people fully embracing the Christmas spirit with a variety of weird and wonderful costumes on display. 

People can be seen wearing Santa outfits and taking part in drinking activities to welcome in the festive season ahead of Christmas in under two weeks time. 

Santacon dates back to 1994 in San Francisco, where it began as a chance for people to dress up as Father Christmas and celebrate the festive holiday. 

It was never intended to become an annual event, but it took place again in San Francisco in 1995 with 100 participants turning out to take part.  

Since then, it has spread across the globe, going to Portland in 1996, Seattle in 1997 and Los Angeles and New York in 1998, before emerging as an annual event in another 44 countries with varying versions and interpretations. 

In 2013, events were scheduled in 300 cities for the first time including New York, Vancouver, Belfast, Moscow and London, where it has become an annual event. 

The New York Santacon remains the largest, with an estimated 30,000 people taking to the streets in 2012.

Some people gathered at the Floating Pocket Park in London to celebrate the festive season 
One woman went all out with her costume, which included a full outfit and matching face paint
People fully embraced the festive spirit for the event and documented their costumes 
In central London, a man dressed up as an elf poured 'Santa' a beer through a funnel 
One man had a unique take on his outfit, donning his head with bushels of holly 
People embraced the festivities, with one woman drinking directly from a wine bottle 
One man came dressed to the nines in a festive red suit which he paired with a Santa hat 
A group of women had to adjust their costumes before the headed to their next stop 
One reveller took a unique approach, combining his Santa outfit with US President elect Donald Trump 
People have gathered across London to take part in the annual festivities 
Some even came prepared with their own festive cups to match their Christmas creations 
The town was painted red and white as people dressed up gathered in pubs and bars