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Christmas with kids in Haverhill
In Haverhill, Christmas starts downtown with a tree lighting, a visit from Santa and a parade that has rolled down South Main Street for decades. Here is how the city's holiday traditions came together.
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The story of Christmas in Haverhill
How Haverhill celebrates
Two traditions anchor Haverhill's holiday season. The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce runs the Christmas Stroll, which reached its 27th year in 2019, so it dates back to the early 1990s. The evening centers on the city tree lighting in Washington Square, with Santa, live music and carolers. The VFW Santa Parade is even older. Its 55th edition in 2019 puts the first parade in the mid 1960s. It travels down South Main Street on a Sunday afternoon in late November, and local groups build floats to join in.
Christmas last year in Haverhill
The 2025 Christmas Stroll fell on Friday, December 5, with the tree lighting at Washington Square off Merrimack Street. Children could join the Find the Elf Hunt, a scavenger hunt at downtown businesses, and a Holiday Art Market opened at the Garibaldi Club on Washington Street. The year before, the 2024 stroll listing promised youth activities from 4:30 pm, a singing program, the tree lighting and Santa's arrival at 6:30 pm, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. It was free and open to everyone, with a Movie Magic theme.
Fun facts about Christmas in Haverhill
The stroll covers a lot of ground. In 2019 it spread across the Riverfront Cultural District, Merrimack Street, and both Railroad Square and Washington Square, so families could wander from stop to stop. Santa's Workshop gave children a place to decorate cookies and make ornaments. The VFW picks a new theme each year, and the 2019 parade was called Santa Celebrates Haverhill's Heroes. Families can also pair the parade with the stroll a few weeks later.
Trains and Christmas near Haverhill
Train fans can find more rail history a short drive south in Lowell. The Boston and Maine Railroad Historical Society keeps steam locomotive No. 410 and combine No. 1244 on Dutton Street, while the National Streetcar Museum at Lowell is open weekends year-round for $3 or less. Farther away in Carver, Edaville builds a holiday festival around a two-foot gauge line that first carried cranberries in 1947. Check each museum's hours before you go.
- Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society: A volunteer society whose steam locomotive No. 410 and combine No. 1244 sit on Dutton Street in downtown Lowell.
- National Streetcar Museum at Lowell: A small streetcar museum across from the national park Visitor Center, open weekends year-round for $3 or less.
- Edaville: A holiday festival in Carver built on a two-foot gauge railroad that first carried cranberries in 1947.
Traditions today
- Christmas Stroll: The Greater Haverhill Chamber's downtown evening with Santa, music, and a tree lighting in Washington Square.
- Find the Elf Hunt: A children's scavenger hunt at downtown businesses during the Christmas Stroll.
- VFW Santa Parade: A Sunday afternoon parade down South Main Street with floats and a new theme each year.
- Santa's Workshop: A stop at the stroll where kids decorate cookies and make ornaments.
- Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus: Listed as part of the 2024 stroll, which was free and open to everyone.
- Holiday Art Market: A small makers' market at the Garibaldi Club on Washington Street during the 2025 stroll.
A fact for kids
In Haverhill, Santa gets his own parade. The VFW Santa Parade rolls down South Main Street, and in 2019 it was already the 55th one.
Questions about Christmas in Haverhill
What is the best-known Christmas tradition in Haverhill?
The Christmas Stroll is the best-known tradition in Haverhill. The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce hosts it downtown, and the highlight is the city tree lighting in Washington Square with Santa. Live music, carolers, cookie decorating and shops with special deals fill the evening around it.
When did the Haverhill Christmas Stroll start?
The 2019 stroll was billed as the 27th annual, which points to the early 1990s. We did not find an exact first date, so it is safest to say the stroll has been going for about three decades. It has changed over the years, with new activities added.
Where is the Haverhill Christmas tree lit?
The city tree is lit in Washington Square, off Merrimack Street in downtown Haverhill. The tree lighting is the center of the Christmas Stroll, and Santa joins the crowd for it. Dress warmly, since the tree lighting is outdoors in early December.
What is the Find the Elf Hunt?
The Find the Elf Hunt is a children's scavenger hunt held at downtown businesses during the Christmas Stroll. Kids walk from stop to stop around downtown as they search. Event maps are available on site, so families can plan a route and see which shops are taking part.
What is the VFW Santa Parade?
The VFW Santa Parade is a Haverhill tradition run by the local VFW. It travels down South Main Street on a Sunday afternoon in late November, with floats from local groups. The 2019 parade was the 55th, with the theme Santa Celebrates Haverhill's Heroes.
How old is the Haverhill Santa Parade?
The Santa Parade held its 55th edition in 2019, which puts its first year in the mid 1960s. We did not find an exact founding date, so say it has run for roughly 60 years. In 2019, groups applied to the VFW to take part with a float.
Does Santa visit the Haverhill Christmas Stroll?
Yes. Santa is part of the stroll, and he takes part in the tree lighting in Washington Square. The 2019 stroll also had Santa's Workshop, and the 2024 listing promised photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Details change each year, so check the Chamber's latest announcement before you go.
What can kids do at the Haverhill Christmas Stroll?
Kids can decorate cookies and make ornaments at Santa's Workshop, join the Find the Elf Hunt, listen to carolers and live music, and see Santa at the tree lighting. The 2024 listing also included youth activities starting at 4:30 pm. The stroll is outdoors, so dress warmly.
Is the Haverhill Christmas Stroll free?
The 2024 stroll listing said the event was free and open to everyone. Food, shopping and some activities downtown may cost extra, depending on what you choose. For current prices and a map, check the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce before you head out.
Is the Christmas Stroll good for toddlers?
It can be, with a plan. Toddlers enjoy the lights, music, carolers and Santa, and the early activities are the calmest. Arrive when youth activities begin, bring a stroller and warm layers, and be ready to head home early if your little one tires quickly.
What was the Haverhill Christmas Stroll like in 2025?
The 2025 stroll was held on Friday, December 5, with the tree lighting at Washington Square. The Find the Elf Hunt gave kids a scavenger hunt at downtown businesses, and a Holiday Art Market opened at the Garibaldi Club at 86 Washington Street. Entertainment and event maps were also part of the evening.
What was the theme of the 2024 Christmas Stroll?
The 2024 stroll used a Movie Magic theme. The listing described youth activities at 4:30 pm, a singing program at 5:30, and the speaking program, tree lighting and Santa's arrival at 6:30. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus were also planned. Themes change from year to year.
Where is the Haverhill Santa Parade route?
The Santa Parade goes down South Main Street in Haverhill. In 2019 it started at 1 pm on a Sunday, which made it an easy daytime outing for families. Watch from the sidewalk, and arrive early if you want a spot at the front for little ones.
How can my group join the Haverhill Santa Parade?
Groups apply to the VFW, which organizes the parade. In 2019 applications were due about nine days before the parade, and the VFW listed a phone number for questions. Dates and rules can change, so contact the VFW early in the fall if you want to build a float.
How do I explain the tree lighting to my kids?
Tell them the whole city gathers in the dark, counts down together, and the tree glows to say the holiday season has begun. Santa is there, music plays, and everyone shares the moment. Point out that neighbors, shop owners and carolers help make it happen.
Where is downtown Haverhill's Riverfront Cultural District?
The Riverfront Cultural District around Washington, Wingate, Granite and Essex Streets is part of the stroll area. In 2019 the stroll also covered Merrimack Street, Railroad Square and Washington Square. Plan to walk between stops, and use our Haverhill Christmas events guide on this page for current dates.
Is parking easy for the Haverhill Christmas Stroll?
We did not find an official parking plan for the stroll. Downtown events usually draw crowds, so arrive early, expect to walk a few blocks and wear comfortable shoes. Check the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce announcement for road closures and parking tips before you leave home.
What should we wear to Haverhill's outdoor Christmas events?
Dress in warm layers, hats, gloves and waterproof boots. The tree lighting and parade are outdoors in late November and early December, and kids stand still for a while. A thermos of something warm and a stroller blanket make waiting much easier for little ones.
Where can I find this year's Haverhill Christmas events?
Look at our Haverhill Christmas events guide on this page for confirmed dates, times and prices. We list only events whose hosts have published 2026 details, so the list grows as the season gets closer. The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and the VFW also post their own announcements.
Are there other Christmas events near Haverhill?
Yes. A longer drive south reaches Lowell and its rail museums, including the National Streetcar Museum and the Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society, which are good for kids who love trains. Check our Haverhill Christmas events guide on this page for what we have confirmed close by this season.
Sources
- Haverhill Chamber's 'Christmas Stroll' Friday Brings Santa, Tree Lighting, Music, WHAV
- Haverhill's 55th Annual VFW Santa Parade Seeks Floats, Participants, WHAV
- Christmas Stroll and Elf Hunt in Haverhill, Eagle-Tribune
- Haverhill Christmas Stroll 2024, Macaroni Kid Merrimack Valley
- Boston & Maine Railroad Historical Society, Rally Takes the Train
- National Streetcar Museum at Lowell, Rally Takes the Train
- Edaville, Rally Takes the Train