A greatly expanded Haverhill Christmas Stroll takes place Saturday afternoon in downtown Haverhill.
Sponsored by the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, the more than 20-year tradition draws thousands of attendees each year to see Santa and the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree.
This year’s free event starts with a Holiday Hat Parade and concludes with the lighting of the Christmas tree in Washington Square. The Holiday Hat Parade begins at 2 p.m. with participants meeting outside Maria’s Restaurant, 81 Essex St. Other attractions include Haverhill Family Eye Care’s “Despicable” friends meet and greet; Haverhill Bank’s life size snow globe, which allows attendees a special photo opportunity; and book sales and signings by New York Times best-selling author Christopher Golden and John M. McIlveen, whose latest book is HANNAHWHERE, between 2 and 4:30 p.m., at the All Things Haverhill shop at Casablanca Mexican Restaurant, 10 Essex St.
There will also be performances by Haverhill Idol winners, Pentucket Bank’s Santa’s Village, Haverhill Mason’s Child Identification Kit effort, YMCA “Reindeer Games” and Med Expresses’ Holiday Train, which will be providing rides for children and adults alike. In addition, there will be wandering carolers, a saxophone quartet performing holiday songs, music and face painting and cookie decorating for children and Creative Haverhill’s Best Storefront contest.
Those who wish may bring food, clothing, toys or personal care supplies and leave them at various “drop-off” sites.
All activities take place in downtown Haverhill, including the Riverfront Cultural District triangle of Washington, Wingate, Granite and Essex Streets (and everything in between), as well as Merrimack Street and Railroad and Washington Squares.
Event sponsorships are still available. For more information, contact the chamber at (978) 373-5663 or email [email protected].