Where To See Santa In The Chelmsford Area

CHELMSFORD, MA — Santa Claus will be back in the Andover area this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they've been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families' holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there's nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In the Chelmsford area, kids (and pets) have several chances:

• On Sunday, Santa is coming to Weston Nurseries in Chelmsford, located at 160 Pine Hill Rd. Santa will be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No registration is necessary. Bring your own camera or charge your cellphone to take a photo of Santa with your little ones.

• On Sunday, Santa is scheduled to attend the annual Chelmsford Holiday Prelude, which takes place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Town Center and Common. The event is free, though donations are accepted.

Santa arrives at 4 p.m. and there will be free photos with jolly old Saint Nick sponsored by the Chelmsford Dog Association.

This year's Prelude also will include the traditional horse-drawn hayrides, free goodies, face painting and performances by various groups throughout the Center and Common.

The holiday lights will be turned on at 5 p.m.

• On Saturday, Santa will be taking Pet Photos at Maxwell's in Chelmsford, located at 24 Maple Rd. Santa will be there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A 4x6 festive photo costs $5, though digital copies will be made available for free upon request. All money collected will be donated directly to local animal shelters.

Save time by printing and filling out the order form ahead of time, which is available online.

• On Saturday, Santa will be at the Holly Fair at Saint Michael's Parish in Lowell from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Michael's Church Hall is located at 12 Sixth Street. There will be activities for children, who also will have a chance to write letters to Santa — who has been known to answer.

The church hall will be filled with 40 vendors and unique and talented crafters. Food, beverages and snacks are available for purchase.

• On Saturday, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Billerica Winter Festival & Tree Lighting. There will be free cookies and cocoa.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place on the Common at 4:25 p.m. Santa and friends are scheduled to arrive at approximately 5:15 p.m.

• On Dec. 10, families can take pictures with Santa at the Billerica Senior Center in Billerica, located at 25 Concord Rd. Santa will be there from 10 am. to 2 p.m. and no appointment is necessary. Attendees must be in line no later than 2 p.m. to get a photo.

The event is free, though just one taken/printed picture is allowed per family.

• On Dec. 11, Santa will appear at the Dracut Fire House, 488 Pleasant St., from 10 a.m. to noon. Santa will arrive in Dracut's historic Engine 6. There will be refreshments and snacks. The event is free.

• Through Dec. 24, Santa will appear daily at the Burlington Mall in Burlington, located at 75 Middlesex Turnpike. Santa will be on the Lower Level Macy's Court from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Families have an opportunity to prepare for their Santa meeting by reserving a time slot online. Photo packages will be available for purchase following the Santa experience.

From 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. this Sunday, Autism Speaks is partnering with Cherry Hill Programs to provide sensory-friendly Santa Experiences at Burlington Mall.

• Through Dec. 24, Santa will be at the Pheasant Lane Mall, 310 Daniel Webster Hwy, daily.

Jolly old Saint Nick is located near Dick's Sporting Goods from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Children can share their holiday wishes with Santa and families can capture photos of their excitement. Families have an opportunity to prepare for their Santa meeting by reserving a time slot online. Photo packages are available for purchase following the Santa experience.

There also are a few other events surrounding Santa at the mall: Ugly sweater photos with Santa can be taken every Thursday through Dec. 15. PJ photos with Santa can be taken every Tuesday through Dec. 1