As the music thumped, thumped, thumped, the young women in short Santa skirts and long boots sashayed and strutted with swagger while the boys tried to keep up – boom, boom, boom – it started early in the afternoon and lasted into the night with a glowing sunset and a joyful grin.

SantaCon at Belmont Park fulfilled expectations with drinks, dancing, and daring dos as attendees rode a Giant Dipper, Beach Blaster, and Bumper Cars while being fed strawberries and cream from an absurd circus act, all while being watched over by a 50-foot-tall Grinch. But no frowns abounded, as only jubilation and smiles infiltrated the seaside park during one of its largest parties of the year – a Yuletide extravaganza created for the perfect demographic of a community that takes these things seriously.

SantaCon the party was a hit. The line – hundreds deep – that wrapped around the amusement park back onto Mission Boulevard at about 6 p.m. proved its gravitas – the last great beach rave of 2023 had arrived.

“Are you with a media outfit?” I asked a young, blonde woman in a tiny Santa-themed dress in the “media lounge” (inside the Plunge Pool) while taking a break from the crowd and the noise.

“No, just grabbing some drinks (from the cooler overflowing with beers and hard seltzers). “I’m double-fisting right now, don’t tell.”

“I’m all for it; free drinks are the best.”

“I will be DJ-ing at the silent disco at Club Penguin. You should come by… has anyone told you how much you look like Seth Rogen?”

“I’ve heard that,” I said, and then thought, Club Penguin? Where in Belmont Park would that be? Never did find it.

The 99-year-old amusement park has seen a lot in its near century, but in its first event takeover in the landmark’s history, presented by San Diego-born event company Almost Nakey, the beachfront boardwalk transformed into multiple stages of music programming, Christmas-themed bars, and interactive installations on Dec. 16.

The music – mostly DJs except for the wonderfully charming Strawberry Disco Circus – included the likes of Chromeo, DJ Susan, Cherub, RaeCola, and Patricio, and more for the winter wonderland festival.

New York City’s Austin Millz took the beachfront main stage at the Beach House venue, which featured giant LED walls, go-go dancers, and snow cannons, with his cutting-edge club and dance music. Then SoCal house music icons TCHiLT and MNTRA performed high-energy B2B joined by SubSessions’ NOZU. Further California staple artists such as Max Web, Show Shonna, Stable Boys, Auxana, Golden Girl, and CJ., rounded out the lineup additions.

The second main stage, Santa’s Twerkshop, included sets from acts such as San Diego-grown house DJ and Hood Politics label owner DJ Susan and sister duo Rae Cola.

Aside from the music, SantaCon provided ticketholders with access to all the theme park’s rides and attractions. Attendees had numerous bars and food stands serving festive holiday drinks and carnival food classics (burgers, fries, and pizza). The event featured interactive installations, life-sized snow globes with Santa photographers, and a “Whoville.” There was also a costume contest for the chance to win gifts and be crowned by Mrs. Claus.

Almost Nakey, with this year’s massive SantaCon, solidified its reign in the event space, making history as the first company to turn Belmont Park into an interactive rave just feet from the waves with a thump, thump, thump, and a ho, ho, ho from Mission Beach. Happy holidays.