City welcomes Santa, holiday season at annual parade and lighting festivities

By DAVID ROSEN 
Waltham Times Contributing Writer 

Hundreds of city residents, young and old, braved the cold on Saturday to view Waltham’s annual Santa Parade and attend holiday lighting festivities on Waltham Common. 

The parade of fire engines carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus in an elevated bucket started at 2 p.m. at the entrance to Brandeis University and wound its way through the city. Residents viewed it at eight designated sites.

When the world-famous North Pole couple arrived at the common at 4:30, holiday festivities were already underway. They included Christmas music performed by the Waltham American Legion Band and the Waltham High School Show Choir. The Waltham Salvation Army served hot cocoa.

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy escorted Santa and Mrs. Claus to the gazebo, where children lined up to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. 

At the entrance to City Hall, a mailbox provided by the Waltham Woman’s Club was set up to receive gift requests through Dec. 16.

While Santa and his wife held court, a switch was flipped, flooding Waltham Common with glorious holiday lights.

A good time was had by all!

Enjoy this slideshow of photos by David Rosen.

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