It’s simply known as “SantArchy,” the annual bar crawl that takes place in downtown Santa Rosa with people dressed up as Santa Claus.

This year will be the fifth annual Santa Crawl. Last year more than 300 participated in the event and this year the number is expected to be even more. According to one of the event coordinators, Ron Slyh. “The word has spread and we believe we will continue to grow. It’s free to participate and the bars are happy to have the thirsty Santas!” Slyh said.

Currrent full-time SRJC student Chris Davies, 26, is looking forward to his first Santa Crawl. “I am going with a group of friends who I grew up with from San Rafael. They have done it the past two years. Full Santa outfit and everything. I plan on going as a young Kris Kringle.”

This year’s bar list is: Belvedere, Round Robin, Chrome Lotus, Mary’s Pizza, Rendez Vous and Christy’s on the Square. Each of the bars will offer drink specials and Mary’s offers a pizza special as well. There are many other bars along the way and it is not uncommon for many Santas to wind up in another bar downtown.

Slyh and his friends came up with the idea. “We originally started the Santa Crawl in 2006 by emailing our friends and getting six to eight bars to commit to bar specials. Little did we know that 80 friends would show for that first event,” Slyh said.

People who attend are usually in some kind of Christmas outfit. “I am sure the guys will be in full Santa attire, and the girls will be in something a little cuter. It’s almost an extension of Halloween if you will,” Davies said.

The Santa Crawl starts Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Belvedere. The Belvedere has participated since the first bar crawl. Owner Gary Tipton anticipates another big turnout. “Turnout is expected to be very well,” Tipton said. Drink specials are $1 off drinks.

The Round Robin is next on the crawl. Bartender Steve Runne expects a busy night. “They [people in the bar] are usually packed wall-to-wall during the Santa crawl,” Runne said.

One of the bars the drunk Santas might wander into is the Russian River Brewing Company. They are also having drink specials for those who are dressed up. Bartender Spencer Paul enjoys doing the event. “People just being festive and jolly,” Paul said.