Wilmington Santa Parade On Sunday Returns To Pre-COVID Schedule

WILMINGTON, MA — The Wilmington Santa Parade is this Sunday, and chances are good that it's coming to a street near you.

This year's event, which will take place in five parts, is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and run until about 3:30 p.m., according to organizers. A map of the parade route is available on the Santa Parade website.

Organizers said this year's parade has returned to its pre-COVID schedule.

"To help keep everyone safe as far as social distancing and to help lift everyone's spirits with the pandemic and such, during COVID, we extended the parade to as many streets as possible," organizers said in a statement on social media.

The organizers continued: "We didn't mind it as we were out there trying to pass along some Christmas spirit. The parade ran nine to 10 hours. That's a long time for volunteers in the cold and with parts of it in darkness. Bear with us as this is the first year going back to the pre-COVID timeframe."

Organizers also said this year's parade will include a "silent run," which they estimated will take place at around 11:45 near Town Hall, 121 Glen Rd.

"(During the silent run) the parade will travel through the lot with no sirens, horns or music, so our friends who are sound-sensitive can enjoy the parade, as well," organizers said on social media.

According to organizers, volunteers from the Wilmington Department of Public Works (DPW) will be riding in the parade and collecting donations for several charities: food for the Wilmington Food Pantry, toys for the Wilmington Fire Department's Toys for Wilmington Children, and letters to the troops.

On Saturday, Santa and Mrs. Claus also are scheduled to make two stops in Wilmington. From 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., they will be at Shawsheen Elementary School, 298 Shawsheen Ave., and from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., they will be at North Intermediate School, 320 Salem St.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taking photos at both stops. Volunteers also will be accepting food for the Wilmington Food Pantry, toys for the Wilmington FD's Toys for Wilmington Children drive, and letters to the troops.