Festive Cheer For a Good Cause: SantaCon and Maovember Team Up for Fundraising Fun

Maovember – it’s been a whirlwind month of partying, dining, and pub games, all for a good cause. And now, the fundraising (emphasis on the “fun) campaign is now drawing to a close with a pair of climactic events.

First up: a sure-to-be-packed Nov 30 closing party at Paddy O’Shea’s. Drink specials, live music by two bands, darts, and hockey games, and a lucky draw with more than 70 bottles of cider will all help to cap off the month of fundraising.

Following closely, another fittingly festive happening is set for Dec 1– the annual SantaCon. That Yuletide event is teaming up with Maovember's coordinators, and all the proceeds from the Santa Suits that participants buy will go to charity. Not sure what it's all about? Basically, everybody dons Father Christmas threads and goes on a bar crawl. It's for charity, remember!

Read More: Maovember's Worthy Causes You Can Help Just by Showing up and Having Fun

Mike Shaw was among the red-suited participants at last year’s SantaCon and he describes it as “one of the few events each year that helps me really appreciate that I am lucky enough to live in China, that I get to share my culture and mix it up with local customs.” Check out Shaw's funny write-up about last year's SantaCon here.

“I'm a big fan of the SantaCon movement. I love that its origin is as a silly, absurdist gathering that pokes fun at our consumerist obsession over the Christmas holiday,” he adds. “Being able to tap into that childish fun-loving side of myself every now and again is awesome; and doing it while getting to traipse around an ancient city like Beijing, all while raising money for charity, is super fulfilling.”

The two charities who will be receiving those funds are Bread of Life Bakery (which trains and employs physically disabled young adults who have grown up in orphanages in China) and The Library Project (which furnishes reading rooms at migrant schools).

Earlier on in the campaign, Paddy O'Shea's manager Paul Rochon said he was happy to partake in Maovember because it’s "a very clear and original charity event. I like the fact that it teams up Beijing's F&B scene and shows that this industry has always been cooperative. I also like that Maovember creates fun and original events enjoyed by our consumers. And I like that we make all the donations very traceable and you can physically see where your money went."

If you’d like to get in on the altruistic action and are wondering what to expect, there are loads of photos from last year’s Maovember’s wrap-up events here and here. For more information, check out the Maovember events page here. 

Be Naughty and Nice: SantaCon and Maovember Team Up for 8th Year of Cheer

Photos courtesy of Maovember