Families planning for December 6 can expect Santa at St. Mark's field, at the corner of Routes 30 and 85, at 10 a.m. sharp. He is scheduled to arrive by helicopter, weather permitting; if conditions make a landing unsafe, he’ll come by fire engine. The arrival is part of a tradition that has drawn families to town for generations.
The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to My Southborough. After greeting the crowd, Santa and Mrs. Claus will cross the street together. Santa will then hear children’s holiday wishes at the Community House, 28 Main Street, and is expected to stay there until the event ends.
The free event includes a professional photo with Santa, coffee, hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes. While children wait, Mrs. Claus will read stories aloud. Organizers say SkyRise Theater will provide face painting; a food truck and vendors offering additional activities and food for sale will also be on site.
A Returning Grinch and Familiar Sponsors
Southborough Kindergroup, which organizes Santa Day, has promised that the Grinch will make his return appearance this year. The event is presented by the Southborough Community Fund, with Falconi Energy and Phaneuf Concrete Cutting Inc. serving as supporting partners, the outlet reports.
This is the second year in a row Santa Day has been held on a Sunday morning instead of its traditional weekday slot. Last year, a Kindergroup representative told My Southborough that the change was driven mainly by vendor and volunteer availability and by a desire to avoid a long-standing conflict with Town Basketball’s opening day. The representative said organizers planned to “gather feedback after the event, review what worked well, and evaluate whether this timing is beneficial” going forward. Community Advocate has described Santa Day as a tradition stretching back more than 30 years.
What Happened Last Time Santa Flew In
During the 2024 celebration, Santa's helicopter touched down at St. Mark's field where a group of children awaited his arrival, and the same outlet reported that he then proceeded to the Community House to hear what the kids wanted for the holidays. That year, Mrs. Claus read holiday stories while children made a holiday craft and enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate, a format that has carried forward into this year's lineup of refreshments and activities.
The Organizations and Place Behind Santa Day
Southborough Kindergroup says it was established in 1977 and describes itself as a membership-based group serving infants, toddlers, preschool children, and their parents and caregivers. Its programs include playgroups, field trips, and social events, and it sponsors major community events and outreach efforts. The group’s public history does not specify when Santa Day began; the Community Advocate account cited above describes the event as a tradition of more than 30 years.
The Community House, where Santa will meet children, also has a longstanding role as a gathering place. Community Advocate describes it as a venue for community events ranging from teas and weddings to visits from Santa Claus.
A Busy Weekend of Holiday Events
Santa Day is the final event in a busy Southborough holiday weekend. Saturday, December 5, is scheduled to include the St. Mark's Christmas Bazaar, the Southborough Library's Tree Trimming party, and the Friends of the Library's Holiday Book Sale, according to the same report. Troop 92's Annual Kids Shop is also set for Saturday, with its own Santa available for photos.
My Southborough reporter Beth Melo noted that the start and end times had been missing from her earlier save-the-date list. With those hours now set, families can plan for Santa Day on Sunday—and, if they choose, another Santa photo opportunity the day before.
