Here Comes Santa Claus Drive-Thru Parade November 27
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane! While we're sure this isn't a real street in downtown Rochester, the holiday magic will surely be felt surrounding all the activities planned for Here Comes Santa Claus presented by Altra Federal Credit Union November 27. One of those is the drive-thru parade from 6 to 8 p.m.!
Holly jolly parade route
Even though there isn't a Santa Claus Lane (or even Candy Cane Lane), the streets of downtown Rochester will be just as merry during the Here Comes Santa Claus drive-thru parade! Load up the family (see safety guidelines below), grab some hot chocolate for the kiddos, and head to downtown. Premier Banks parking lot (entrance off 5th Street SW) becomes the line-up starting point for this yuletide experience. Elves (aka volunteers) will direct you to drive the parade route, which will head north on 1st Ave SW from US Bank, past Residences of Old City Hall where Santa will be waiting to wave as you drive past, and up to 2nd St SW.
Click here for a downloadable parade route map!
Sounds of the season
Holiday magic and music will fill the air during the Here Comes Santa Claus drive-thru parade. As you enter the route, tune in your personal sleigh radio to Y105 FM (104.9 and 105.3 on your dial) for the joyful and jolly sounds.
Sweet treats
Santa hasn't forgotten to fill up your socks (in this case, goodie bags) with all kinds of holiday family fun! At the start of the Here Comes Santa Claus drive-thru parade on 1st Avenue SW, volunteers will ensure a contactless hand-off of treat bags filled with stickers, a coloring sheet and crayons, a light-up snowflake necklace thanks to presenting partner Altra Federal Credit Union, the downtown portion of Hiawatha Homes Festival of Trees walkable route map, and more!
Merry-and-bright lights
Did your family have a tradition of driving around the neighborhood looking at holiday lights? Twinkling amid the cooler November darkness will be a welcomed sight: the trees along 1st Avenue SW will be lit in beautiful lights during the parade. Either start or make this part of your holiday light tradition in the downtown Rochester neighborhood.
I saw 'chester hosting Santa Claus
After you helped find all of Santa's reindeer during the 12 Days of Magic downtown scavenger hunt, Santa still needs one last assist for the drive-thru parade. The Rochester Fire Department will be providing a perch for Santa to wave to all who come to see him off back to the North Pole. To keep everyone safe along the route, the Rochester Police Department will be directing traffic to ensure a smooth sleigh ride. Upon coming up to 2nd Street SW, it will be to all a good night (i.e. the end of the Here Comes Santa Claus drive-thru parade)!
For the drive-thru parade, we are adhering to the Minnesota Department of Health's guidelines related to vehicle gatherings and parades. Specifically we are implementing the following and ask the public to help us keep everyone safe:
- Each vehicle must be occupied only by members of the same household.
- Attendees must remain in their vehicles.
- When handing out goodie bags, volunteers will be placed in containers by masked, gloved, and hand-sanitized staff and extended to vehicle occupants so it is contactless.
- If vehicle windows are open, masks must be worn by the people in the vehicle.
Find all magical merriment that comes with Here Comes Santa Claus presented by Altra Federal Credit Union here.