When 20,000 Santas Brought BORGs and Bedlam to Fairfield, CT

In recent years, Fairfield, Connecticut, has become home to one of the most talked-about SantaCons on the East Coast. What started as a local college tradition has exploded into a massive beach party, drawing attendees from across the Northeast. According to town officials, more than 20,000 people flooded Fairfield’s beach area at the peak of SantaCon 2024.

The event primarily revolves around houses rented by Fairfield University students in the Lantern Point area, but it has grown into a regional spectacle. Students from Sacred Heart, UMass, Rutgers, and other schools now make the trek to Fairfield for the holiday-themed revelry.

Using drone footage and artificial intelligence software that tracks cell phone data, Fairfield officials confirmed the event’s staggering growth. Attendance has skyrocketed from an estimated 1,000 attendees in 2022 to over 20,000 in 2024. Town leaders warn that if trends continue, crowd sizes could “easily” double in the future—raising serious concerns about public safety.

Grappling with SantaCon’s Growth

As SantaCon’s reputation grows, so do concerns from local authorities and residents. First Selectman Bill Gerber described the 2024 event as “probably the worst one yet,” prompting officials to consider drastic measures to control the crowds.

During the weekend, Fairfield police responded to over 50 calls, including reports of fights, public urination, and medical emergencies. The Fairfield Police Department increased staffing by 50%, and public works crews fenced off sections of the beach to manage the post-party cleanup.

Despite these efforts, law enforcement was overwhelmed, issuing only 23 infractions, though officials admitted that thousands more could have been written. Some local leaders have even suggested that the National Guard may need to be called in if SantaCon continues to expand.

While Fairfield University has distanced itself from the event, it has been unable to prevent students from participating. The university issued warnings ahead of SantaCon, but with social media fueling its popularity, attendance continues to swell beyond the school’s control.

The BORG: SantaCon’s (Unofficial) Official Beverage

No SantaCon is complete without a signature drink, and in recent years, the BORG (Blackout Rage Gallon) has taken center stage among dedicated partygoers. This DIY cocktail—a gallon jug of water mixed with vodka, powdered electrolytes, and flavor enhancers like MiO or Kool-Aid—is touted as a “hydrating” way to consume large amounts of alcohol.

SantaCon attendees have fully embraced the BORG trend, decorating their jugs with pun-filled names like “Ruth Bader Gingborg,” “Borgan Freeman,” “Ice Borg Lettuce,” and “I Think Thereborg I Am.” Viral TikTok videos from SantaCon show massive crowds packed along the beach, many toting their personalized BORGs as they dance to DJ music blasting from house decks.

A Controversial Tradition

While some embrace SantaCon as a fun holiday tradition, others see it as an out-of-control party in need of stricter regulation. Longtime Fairfield residents have expressed concerns about overcrowding, public intoxication, and safety risks. However, others argue that similar college parties have been a fixture in the area for decades.

Town officials are exploring legal options and new safety measures, but they acknowledge that curbing an event driven by social media and word-of-mouth is no easy task.

Adding to concerns, two Sacred Heart University students were recently charged with third-degree arson after accidentally setting a fire at a local shopping plaza following SantaCon. Authorities say the students, after a day of drinking and smoking marijuana on the beach, played with matches in a stairwell, igniting a fire that caused $400,000 in damage. While no injuries were reported, the incident has intensified calls for stronger oversight to prevent further destruction.

What’s Next for SantaCon in Fairfield?

One thing is for sure: if you’re carrying a BORG to next year’s SantaCon, you might not remember whether you were on the Naughty or Nice list—but Fairfield will.

As SantaCon continues to grow in size and infamy, town officials face mounting pressure to balance holiday revelry with public safety. Will it remain a raucous tradition, or will stricter regulations rein it in? Whatever the outcome, SantaCon in Fairfield has cemented its place as one of the wildest holiday spectacles on the East Coast.