SantaCon party returns to Belmont Park with more music and reindeer games

Belmont Park and its neighboring beachfront boardwalk will be transformed into an all-out winter wonderland on Dec. 14 when SantaCon returns for its third year.

The Christmas festival, hosted by Almost Nakey, takes over Belmont Park for a festive rave with four stages and a musical lineup that is anticipated to bring in more than 7,000 attendees.

“This is a landmark event in San Diego,” said Liv Johnson, CEO of Almost Nakey. “It’s truly like nothing else.”

Artists like Whethan, Franc Moody, DeVault, Cut Snake, Ardalan, and more will be performing to a crowd dressed up in their best holiday costumes, from Santa and Mrs. Claus to Rudolph and the Grinch.

On the rooftop of FIT Athletic Club will be a Club-Penguin-themed stage complete with Puffles and an igloo that should bring a sense of childhood nostalgia for concertgoers. The North Pole stage, located at the Beach House and headlined by Moody, will bring Santa’s house and toy factory to the shores of San Diego.

Candy Cane Lane, situated inside of FIT Athletic Club, will invoke a real-life Candy Land experience. At the center of Belmont Park will be this year’s special stage, Santa’s Twerkshop, which will be complete with LED walls, snow machines, and a laser experience.

All while taking in the live musical performances, attendees will have the chance to immerse themselves in interactive festivities all around the park – including a chance to see the Grinch and Santa fight it out in a wrestling ring for the ultimate battle to save Christmas.

Regular Belmont Park concession stands will be open for food offerings and 45 bars will be set up throughout the event. This year’s SantaCon is sponsored by Red Bull, Don Julio, NÜTRL, Cutwater, and Sun Cruiser.

General admission tickets cost $70 and grant access to all stages and unlimited access to all rides in the park. VIP tickets cost $165 and include exclusive perks such as a VIP check-in and private bars and lounges at the Coaster VIP Terrace.

A portion of ticket sales will go toward Feeding San Diego, a local hunger relief and food rescue organization that provides over 29 million meals each year to underserved populations.

“Producing this event is one of the greatest joys of my life,” said Johnson. “Seeing everyone in San Diego unite and come together in the park and be dressed up unlocks so much inner child in everyone and people just have the freedom to have so much fun.”