Organizers of SantaCon are hoping to change the bar crawl's rowdy reputation.
There is a new public service announcement aimed at reigning in revelers before Saturday's event.
SantaCon organizers are working with civil rights attorney Norman Siegel to obtain the proper permits. They are also setting up a nonprofit to collect money for charity.
Still, many residents who live along the group's route remain skeptical.
"Maybe it's a good idea. Maybe not. It all depends what they come to do around the area now that we have bars and restaurants around here," said one resident.
Resident: The traffic is bad as it is over here already.
Q: They're saying up to 1,000 people. What do you think about that?
Resident: To add to the 3,000 that already come around here on the weekends? It's going to be interesting. We're staying home.
You can check out SantaCon's routes and neighborhoods on santacon.nyc.