NEWPORT — Christmas may still seem like a long way away, but the Santa Festival is coming to downtown Newport on Saturday, December 6th. There will be a Santa Parade, Santa Run, hayrides, Santa’s Workshop, shopping spree contest, holiday food drive, a place for children to meet with Santa, and more.
The Santa Parade will start at 11:00 a.m. and go from Gardner Park, up Main Street toward the Gateway Center, and finally bringing Santa back to Santa’s Workshop in the Mill River Furniture building. From there Santa will meet with children, and hear their Christmas lists starting at noon.
Every child visiting with Santa will receive a candy cane.
The parade will be filled with music, floats, and fire trucks. The Santa Run will start as the parade begins. Everyone registering for the Santa Run will receive a free Santa suit to wear.
Businesses and organizations are encouraged to enter a float in the parade, which has the theme “Santa in Newport.” Prizes will be awarded to the best floats. Float registration forms are available at NewportLive.org.
Hayrides throughout downtown will begin in the parking lot of the State Building and go up Main Street, down to the waterfront, and back. They will run until 3:00 p.m.
A Santa’s Workshop will be set up in the former Mill River Furniture building on Main Street, so children can visit with Santa, play games, make crafts, and enjoy the holiday spirit.
The Moo 92 Shopping Spree and Food Drive will take place downtown at 2:00 p.m.
All events are free except the Santa Run, whose proceeds benefit the local Toys For Tots program. For more information on how to register for the Santa Run or Santa Festival events, go to NewportLive.org.
