Noblesville Mayor Chris Jensen has announced several changes to this year’s holiday events due to public health concerns. The Christmas Parade on Sunday, Nov. 29 and Santa hours at the Christmas Cottage have been canceled and replaced with a “Home for the Holidays Tour” featuring Santa Claus.
This year, local residents can enjoy a “Home for the Holidays Tour” in lieu of the traditional Christmas Parade and Santa hours at the Christmas Cottage. (File photo)
“With the rise of COVID-19 cases and state restrictions on large social gatherings, we knew we needed to adjust some of our normal holiday traditions to stay within the safety guidelines we’ve encouraged our residents to take to help limit the spread of the Coronavirus,” Jensen said. “Like many residents, I enjoy our city’s holiday traditions but the pandemic is making us shift our plans and be creative. As always, public safety is priority number one of our administration.”
To keep the holiday spirit alive, the city is replacing the events with the “Home for the Holidays Tour.” The tour will be headlined by Santa Claus, who will be joined by police, fire and street department vehicles as they make their way throughout Noblesville neighborhoods over the course of two weeks.
Jensen
“The change allows us to take Santa to the people,” Jensen said. “This alternative brings our residents outside, safely distanced around or in front of their homes to see Santa without the concern of COVID-19. In addition to seeing Santa, the tour is a great way to thank some of our first responders.”
Similar to the end-of-the-year parades held by Noblesville Schools in May, the city is creating seven routes that cover the areas that comprise Noblesville’s public elementary schools. The exact routes are still being determined, but the first route will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5.
While Santa will not be available as part of the Holidays at the Hill festivities at Federal Hill Commons, the city is adding a special mailbox at the Christmas Cottage. Santa will be checking it to read all of the letters dropped off by children with their holiday wishes.
Residents interested in learning more about the Home for the Holidays Tour routes may visit cityofnoblesville.org/SantaTour.