fbpx
Rochester Local

Everything You Need to Know About Here Comes Santa Claus!

here comes santa claus
photo provided by Rochester Downtown Alliance

 

On Friday, November 24th, one of the best-loved holiday traditions is back in downtown Rochester: Here Comes Santa Claus! This holiday family favorite has something for everyone: crafts, music, cookies & hot cocoa, trolley rides, tree lighting, a fun scavenger hunt, and of course, the great Santa Rescue.

This year, Here Comes Santa Claus moves BACK to the FRIDAY after Thanksgiving – November 24th! All events are FREE!  Have a wonderful time!

here comes santa claus

 

Schedule of Festivities:

2:00 – 4:00 pm | Mrs. Claus’s Holiday Festival  at Chateau Theatre

Before Santa’s grand arrival, visit the Historic Chateau Theatre for Mrs. Claus’s Holiday Festival. Enjoy merry music, family-friendly games and activities, and storytime with Mrs. Claus. Admission is free and all are welcome. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Here Comes Santa Claus
photo provided by Rochester Downtown Alliance

4:15 pm | The Main Event! Santa’s Rescue from atop Old City Hall

  • Help! Santa is stuck on the roof! The Rochester Fire Department saves the day and helps Santa Claus get safely down from the roof of Old City Hall
  • A very relieved Mrs. Claus and Rochester Mayor Kim Norton will be there to greet Santa when he gets down and share their holiday cheer.

5:00 pm | Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Peace Plaza

Here Comes Santa Claus
photo provided by Rochester Downtown Alliance

Parking

Parking is plentiful — there are over 5000 public parking spaces downtown.  Remember there is no fee for street parking on weekends and weeknights after 5 pm. In addition, this holiday season (2023), the City of Rochester is once again extending the free period in City parking ramps on weekdays to two hours. So if you arrive at 3:00 PM, you still won’t need to pay!  Reference the map below to see where to park (blue blocks) in relation to where Santa will be rescued (Santa icon) and where the tree will be lit in Peace Plaza (tree icon).

here comes santa claus

Related posts

Rochester MN Guide to April Events

Rochester Local

5 Restaurants Featuring Global Cuisine in Downtown Rochester MN

Rochester Local

Rochester MN Guide to Spring Break

Rochester Local