Santa is coming to town on a Nutley fire truck this year, kicking off the borough's 64th Annual Santa's Arrival at Nutley High School Park Oval on Friday, November 27, 2026. Gates open at 1 p.m., Santa is expected to roll in at 2 p.m., and the whole thing is free and happening rain or shine.
According to the TAPinto Nutley release, the event is presented by Commissioner Alphonse Petracco and the Department of Public Safety, with the Nutley Chamber of Commerce serving as sponsor. The Chamber's event page lists the address as 300 Franklin Avenue, and Santa is scheduled to arrive on a Nutley fire truck.
A Lineup of Carols, Belts and Dance Routines
Once the procession winds down, the entertainment takes over. Celebrity singer Anna Felice is scheduled to perform Christmas carols, while the dance organizations Dancers in Motion and GIA Dance Studio are associated with the event. Robert Frannicola is hosting the event's entertainment for Ultimate Entertainment, and IWF wrestlers are expected to make their way around the Oval so kids can snap photos with the championship belts.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to stick around for group family photos until 3 p.m. The Chamber's event page also says sponsors and vendors are providing free giveaways, and that a few lucky attendees will walk away with door prizes and gift cards donated by local businesses.
Letters to Santa and a Mailbox on Chestnut Street
Children at the event are set to receive a kit of materials for writing their Christmas lists, part of a Letters to Santa initiative hosted by Dr. Joseph P. Scarpelli. Mayor John V. Kelly, III is providing a Santa Express mailbox just outside the Park Oval gate on Chestnut Street, where letters can be dropped off through December 14 and will reportedly be hand-delivered to Santa.
A prior event drew about 6,000 attendees. Behind the scenes, the Township of Nutley is supporting event coordination, with contributions from Public Safety, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Public Affairs & Health, Revenue & Finance, and the Board of Education, according to the Chamber.
Students Pitch In and the Chamber Marks a Long Run
Honors students from Nutley High School and John H. Walker Middle School have the option to volunteer as event helpers, earning community service hours for their transcripts in the process. The Chamber says it supports small business.
The Chamber has sponsors for Santa's Arrival.
