Annual Santa parade on Saturday

The city’s annual Santa Parade and Holiday Lighting on the Common will take place Saturday, Nov. 29.

Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy will join the Waltham Fire and Police departments in escorting Santa Claus around the city, starting at 2 p.m. The parade will travel through local neighborhoods before ending at City Hall around 4 p.m. Santa will ride in the back of Tower 1, greeted by residents waving from their doorsteps. A full list of streets along the parade route will be announced soon.

Festivities on Waltham Common will begin at about 3:45 p.m., featuring performances by the Reagle Players dancers and singers, the American Legion Band and the Waltham High School Show Choir. Santa is expected to arrive around 4 p.m., just in time to help flip the switch that lights up the Common for the season.

Families are encouraged to bring cameras for photos with Santa after the lighting. Santa’s mailbox, provided by the Waltham Women’s Club, will also be available on the Common for children to drop off letters through Sunday, Dec. 14. Letters should include a return address to ensure a reply before Christmas.For more information, visit the city’s website.