The Smithers sisters of Acton, Sonia, 5, left, and twins Harper, center, and Nora, 1, have their pictures taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, December 3, 2023. Harper initially cried with Santa, but later had a ball crawling on the gym floor with her sister. Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

Photo gallery: Santa Claus flies in for Concord visit

December 4, 2023

Santa Claus didn’t mind the rain.

A snowman costumed character hugs children during the Concord Recreation Department’s holiday event in the Hunt Building, December 3, 2023. Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

Sunday’s downpours may have canceled Concord’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting and parade downtown, but the North Pole’s most famous resident had an appointment with the children of Concord. He wasn’t going to miss it — even if the lack of parade meant doing without a ride on a fire truck.

Twins Nora, left, and Harper Smithers, 1, crawl on the gym floor after having their pictures taken with Santa during a holiday event at the Concord Recreation Department. Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge

The town tree was lit without fanfare in Monument Square. And at the Hunt Building, children whispered their wishes to Santa Claus, met Elsa from “Frozen” and hugged a happy snowman while parents urged them to smile as they snapped photos.

Anita Hill of the Concord Recreation Department was on Santa photography duty during a holiday event at the Hunt Building. Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge
Wearing her own holiday outfit, Jojo Duke, 6, of Concord, meets Elsa and Anna costumed characters from “Frozen” during a holiday event at the Concord Recreation Department’s Hunt Building. Jojo was planning on marching in the parade with her Girl Scout troop before the parade was canceled due to the weather. Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge
Wearing Christmas tree hats, Bob and Melissa Krygowski of Westford take pictures of their children in the snow globe during the Concord Recreation Department’s holiday event at the Hunt Building. Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge
Roran Hinkle of Concord, a four-month-old enjoying his first Christmas, is held by his father Steve Hinkle near Santa Claus during the Concord Recreation Department’s holiday eventKen McGagh for The Concord Bridge
Clara Precup, 2, of Concord, and her brother Ionut, 4, have their pictures taken with Santa Claus. Ken McGagh for The Concord Bridge