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Weekend 'Santa Runs' Scheduled by Local Fire Companies

Weekend Santa Runs Scheduled by Local Fire Companies

POTTSTOWN PA – It’s that holiday time of year, during which sirens wail, firefighters climb aboard shiny trucks, and young children look out the windows of their homes in anticipation. All are hallmarks of more than a dozen local fire companies that will conduct “Santa Runs” this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20-21, 2026).

Weekend Santa Runs Scheduled by Local Fire Companies
Santa’s arrival by fire truck particularly impresses children and their families

The weekend list includes trips through their coverage areas, with a smiling Santa aboard, by fire companies and departments. They serve Lower Frederick, Phoenixville, Collegeville, Pennsburg, Royersford, Trappe, Upper Pottsgrove, the Boyertown Area, Sanatoga, Perkiomen, Gilbertsville, Lower Pottsgrove, and New Hanover.

Other firefighting groups completed Santa Runs earlier this month. They include those in Oaks, Harleysville, Kimberton, Spring City, Limerick, Pottstown, Valley Forge, and Worcester, according to the publication Macaroni Kid.

A Decades-Old Tradition

Unfamiliar with the decades-old tradition?

Many fire companies and their members tour through their coverage areas annually during December, usually on a Saturday or Sunday. Their special guest is Santa Claus, sometimes joined by Mrs. Claus, riding atop a fire engine. As they drive through the territory, Santa waves at and greets those patiently awaiting his arrival.

Sometimes candy is offered as a treat for young ones but the biggest gift, according to ardent Santa believers, is his presence. Parents say a visit by the white-bearded man in the bright red suit means a lot to their children. They regularly express thanks to volunteers, who forsake time with their own families to ensure the runs are successful.

What follows is a list of fire companies within the TriCounty Region (western Montgomery, eastern Berks, and northern Chester PA counties) that have announced upcoming Santa Runs. All are duplicated from the extended calendar for Travels With The Post. That’s where readers also will find more than 40 events and activities they will likely find entertaining!

Saturday, Dec. 20

  • “Santa Run” by the Lower Frederick Fire Company, starts at 8 a.m., free to participate; estimated times and routes through the township and Schwenksville borough to be posted on Facebook; starts and ends at the firehouse, 137 Spring Mount Rd., Spring Mount PA
  • “Santa Run” by the Phoenixville Fire Department, starts at 8 a.m. and is estimated to continue until dusk, free to participate; Santa will ride atop a fire truck, making plenty of noise as he visits neighborhoods throughout the borough; firefighting elves will distribute candy canes to children and biscuits for dogs, meet firefighters on the sidewalk or at the end of a driveway; children may also hand-deliver letters for Santa to one of his elves; starts and ends at the firehouse, 150 Paradise St., Phoenixville PA
  • “Santa Run” by the Collegeville Fire Company, estimated from 8-11:30 a.m.; specific times for individual streets not available, starts and ends at the firehouse, 29 E. Fifth Ave., Collegeville PA
  • “Santa Run” by the Pennsburg Fire Company, starts at 9 a.m., free to participate; Santa will tour Pennsburg aboard a fire truck, escorted by dedicated volunteers; hear the sirens and festive music as he makes his way through each neighborhood; sponsored by Blommer Chocolate, find a route map online; starts and ends at the firehouse, 501 Penn St., Pennsburg PA
  • “Santa Run” by the Royersford Fire Department, estimated start at 9 a.m., free to participate; a route was still being planned as of Wednesday (Dec. 17), but he can be tracked on the department’s Facebook page; starts and ends at the firehouse, 269 Green St., Royersford PA
  • “Santa Run” by the Trappe Fire Company, starts at 9:30 a.m., free to participate; listen for the fire truck sirens in your area to see Santa on the Trappe Fire trucks, or track him on its Facebook page; volunteers will distribute candy canes; starts and ends at the firehouse, 20 W. Fifth Ave., Trappe PA
  • “Santa Run” by the Upper Pottsgrove Township Fire Co., starts at 10 a.m., free to participate; volunteer firefighters and fire police will escort Santa all throughout the township to spread holiday cheer; step outside when you hear the sirens and give Santa a big wave as he passes by; starts and ends at the firehouse, 1409 Farmington Ave., Pottstown PA
  • “Santa Run” by Boyertown Area Fire & Rescue, starts at 10 a.m., free to participate; routes in Boyertown, Colebrookdale, and northern Douglass, with thanks offered to First Response Contracting, Walmart, Outhouse Jeepers, Boyertown YMCA, Fred Beans Ford of Boyertown, and Jen and Kevin Hausman; starts and ends at the firehouse, 969 Reading Ave., Boyertown PA
  • “Santa Run” by the Sanatoga Fire Company, 10 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. (times approximate), free to participate; see Santa Claus ride atop a Sanatoga Fire Company truck, and safely stop for brief greetings at each of 34 designated locations within Lower Pottsgrove Township, ensuring everyone has a convenient chance to meet Santa (see the full list of stops here); conducted by, and starts and ends at, the fire company, 2222 E. High St., Pottstown PA
  • “Santa Run” by the Perkiomen Township Fire Company, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., free to participate; traveling through the township, listen for the sirens and its truck; starts and ends at the firehouse, 485 Gravel Pk., Collegeville PA

Sunday, Dec. 21

Weekend Santa Runs Scheduled by Local Fire Companies

Our “Entertainment” reporting covers the arts and culture, shows, performances, festivals, and history-related activities within, or that affect residents of, Montgomery, Berks, and Chester PA counties. Find more entertainment articles here. Also, see and join the Pottstown Arts and Cultural Alliance group on Facebook.