Holiday photos: Making a list (checking it twice) of where to see Santa Claus
Some way, somehow, Santa Claus always manages to be in more than one place at a time. It's holiday magic! With a long white beard and dressed in his fur-trimmed velvet coat, St. Nick is always the man of the hour whenever and however he arrives. Sure, he and his elves are busy making toys and getting ready to deliver them by reindeer sleigh on Christmas Eve, but first he'll be making time for some quick trips to MetroWest and the Milford area to gather Christmas lists from children, naughty or nice.
While it's not absolutely necessary to visit Santa in person, we figure it can't hurt to send him a handwritten letter or be direct and tell him face-to-face what you want for Christmas. So, here are a few places you can see Santa, otherwise known as Kris Kringle, this holiday season. Remember, be patient, and don't cry. This is by no means a comprehensive list, so if you know where else to find him, let everyone know in the comments section! Merry Christmas!
Framingham Tree Lighting and Block Party, Dec. 3
Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in grand style atop a Framingham fire engine during Framingham's 30th annual Tree Lighting, which takes place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday at City Hall.
Santa and Mrs. Claus can't pose for pictures with families as they have in past years because of COVID-19, but you and your family can pose in front of a green screen after choosing one of nine fun, festive backgrounds. Photos will be available for free for digital download the next day.
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To help protect against COVID-19, events will be held outdoors at City Hall Plaza. Union Avenue, between Concord and Proctor streets, will be closed to traffic for the block party festivities.
Kids of all ages can tour the Story Walk produced by the Framingham Public Library and the Book Mobile. Attendees can also snack on popcorn, cookies, candy canes and hot chocolate, select a free book and enjoy holiday tunes provided by the Rousseau Family’s antique oil truck.
Marlborough Home for the Holidays Tree Lighting, Dec. 3
Santa, escorted by the city's mayor, arrives at 6 p.m. Friday on a firetruck to kick off the Home for the Holidays Tree Lighting on Union Common. Santa will hand out candy canes and will be available for photos and to listen to children's Christmas wish lists. Enjoy a performance from the Marlborough High School choir and visit a petting zoo. Popcorn and hot cocoa will be served.
Milford Tree Lighting, Dec. 3
Santa arrives at Draper Memorial Park, 258 Main St., Milford, at 5:45 p.m. where you can take your own photos with him. Join the Greater Milford Community Chorus in a holiday singalong at 6 p.m. in preparation for the countdown to the tree lighting at 6:30. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the tree will be lit at 6:30 and activities may be scaled back.
St. Mark's Field, Southborough, Dec. 4
Santa plans to fly down from the North Pole, landing at noon on Saturday at the St. Mark's field at the intersection of Routes 85/30. Then he'll head across the road to the Community House for fun activities until 3 p.m. like food trucks, ornament making, carolers, character visits and photos. These events are hosted by Southborough Kindergroup. Masks must be worn inside Community House and the line to get in will be outside.
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Holiday Stroll and Santa Drive-by, Ashland, Dec. 4
Festivities, shopping and caroling will make downtown Ashland sparkle during the annual Holiday Stroll starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday. At that point, Santa flies in to light up trees on Montenegro Square at 4:30 p.m. He'll drive around town in his sleigh, courtesy of Ashland Police and Fire departments. His route will start on the north side and move to the south side of town. There's a map of the route Santa will take on the Ashland Fire Department's Facebook page. Also, his visit will be on Facebook Live so you can follow him around town and enjoy the fun from the comfort of home.
Holiday Stroll, Hudson, De
Visit Santa from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Hudson Town Hall during the annual Holiday Stroll. Main Street will be closed to traffic. Hop on a horse-drawn hayride at Avidia Financial Center or Walgreens. Hear Hudson High's choral group perform at the Unitarian Church. The Hudson Rotary Club will toast marshmallows at Avidia and there will be a petting zoo at Main Street Bank from 3-7 p.m. Visit the Festival of Trees at the Boys & Girls Club on Church Street 3-7 p.m. Don't miss the holiday tree lighting at Town Hall at 5:15 p.m. Visit https://www.discoverhudson.org/events/hudson-holiday-stroll/
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Smileland, Westborough, Dec. 4
Santa won't be there in person but we thought this fun event was worth a mention: Write a letter to Santa and enjoy hot cocoa, sweet treats and make a craft from 3-5 p.m. at Smileland Pediatric Dentistry and Braces, 1 Oak St., Westborough, during its "Letters to Santa" workshop. All letters will be mailed directly to the North Pole.
Milford Welcome Santa Parade, Dec. 5
Watch Santa ride into Milford as the community kicks off the celebration with its annual Santa Parade at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Hosted by Milford Firefighters Local 2140, firetrucks will line up at the Birch Street station at 3:30 p.m., then travel along Veterans Memorial Drive through town to Draper Memorial Park.
Holliston Senior Center, Dec. 5
The Holliston Lions bring Santa to the Holliston Senior Center on Sunday and you can have your photos taken with the jolly fellow there from 9 a.m. to noon. Photos are $5, additional snaps are $4. Free hot chocolate, too! Face masks required. Proceeds to support Holliston Lions and local charities. Email peterbholl@gmail.com for more information.
Wayland Holiday Stroll, Wayland, Dec. 11
Both Santa Claus and Elsa from the Disney movie "Frozen" will make special appearances at the 2021 Wayland Holiday Stroll from 2-6 p.m. on Dec. 11 at Wayland Town Center. The Fire Department will have a Touch-A-Truck event to teach kids about safety. A variety of holiday inflatables will delight the crowd. Join in the caroling with the Girl Scouts and enjoy some delicious Girl Scout cookies. At @W, a pop-up gallery, the Wayland high School jazz band will play from 2-2:30 p.m. and children ages 4-8 can make holiday crafts from 2-4:30 p.m. For more information, visit https://thewaylandtowncenter.com/event/holiday-stroll/
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Santa's Coming, Whitinsville, Dec. 11
Bring your camera and visit with Santa in the Whitin Community Center gym, 60 Main St., Whitinsville, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 11. While waiting to chat with him, join in more than 20 free holiday games and activities, a bake sale, cheek art. Write Santa a letter and mail it via Santa Express Mail, create a card for U.S. military troops, make magic reindeer food and have some cookies. Santa will have a surprise for every child afterward. Donations for a bake sale are being sought, due by noon Dec. 10. For more information, call 508.234.8184 or visit https://www.whitincommunitycenter.com/
Holiday Stroll, Natick Centre, Dec. 18
Enjoy the holiday lights, shop in local stores and be a part of the festive atmosphere of the Natick Centre Cultural District Shop from 3-6 p.m. on Dec. 18. There will be giveaways, crafters, food and holiday caroling by Sound and Spirit. We hear that St. Nick will make an appearance from 4-6 p.m.
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Natick Mall, ongoing
Now through Dec. 21, head over to Candy Cane Lane and Mistletoe Avenue at the Natick Mall, 1245 Worcester Road, for a Santa Magic photo. Sit on Santa's lap or have a socially distanced picture taken with the big guy this year, it's your choice. Special days for photos with furry friends are 4-8 p.m. on Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. Online reservations recommended at www.whereissanta.com but walk-ins accommodated as space allows. Photo packages start at $39.99. You can also reserve a spot for $19.99 and decide on a photo package later. Visit https://www.natickmall.com/ for reservations and more information.
Solomon Pond Mall, ongoing
Reservations are required to visit Santa this year at the Solomon Pond Mall, 601 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. On Christmas Eve, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids will be positioned 6 feet in front of Santa for all photos, infants must be held by parents, and face coverings are required for everyone, even Santa! Photo packages start at $39.99. You can also reserve a spot for $19.99 and decide on a photo package later. For reservations and more information, visit https://visitsolomonpond.com/
Bass Pro Shops, Foxborough, ongoing
Cabela's, Hudson, ongoing
There's a Winter Wonderland inside both of these sporting goods stores. Make a reservation to visit either Cabelas, 44 Highland Common East, Hudson/Berlin, or Bass Pro Shops, 1 Bass Drive, Foxborough, through Dec. 24 and get a free photo with Santa. You'll also get a free digital video greeting card to share on social media. Other photo packages for purchase are available to print instantly in the store. Kids can also mail their letters to Santa and visit his toy shop. Visit https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland for more information and to reserve a spot.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Places to see Santa Claus this holiday season in Metrowest area
