There's an excuse for one of the Santas set to participate in tomorrow's charity pub crawl. The other 999 will have to find one for themselves.

The Santa Claus Pub Crawl was started 14 years ago by a small group of friends as a way to raise Christmas spirit.

More than 900 people took part last year.

Participants are required to dress in a Christmas theme and donate an unwrapped children's toy, which will be distributed by the Salvation Army.

A raffle will also be held, with a skydive and a hamper as prizes.

The pub crawl starts at North Wollongong Hotel at 5pm, moves to Hotel Illawarra at 7.30pm, Cooneys Tavern at 8.30pm, Glasshouse Tavern or Harp Hotel at 9.30pm and Five Islands Brewery at 10.30pm.

Those Santas who have not overdone the Christmas spirits will then head to Harp Hotel.

Organiser Neil Webster said the event was a great way to meet friends while also helping children.

"We've had many people meet their partners on the event. We now have a bundle of The Santa Claus Pub Crawl babies and kids who come along for the early part of the night with their parents," he said.

"There are people who only know each other because of The Santa Claus Pub Crawl and only see each other on that night, but still consider themselves to be great mates.

"With the extravagant and ingenious array of costumes, it's also a very fun night with a lot of Christmas cheer being spread.

"There is never any trouble - mainly because it's very hard to get into an argument with a guy dressed as Santa, especially when he has 500 other Santas behind him."

Details at www.thesantaclauspubcrawl.com.