Rochester’s “Here Comes Santa Claus” Event Returns in 2025—Here’s Everything You Need to Know

The countdown to Christmas has started!  As we dig out all of the classic songs for the holidays to play on the radio, the big guy in the red suit is starting to look over those naughty and nice lists.  His elf-secretary is also working hard on all of the pre-Christmas trips, including Santa's stop here in Rochester.

Get ready to see Santa because the date for his visit to downtown Rochester was just announced!  Below are the details for his big arrival to the Med City.

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Santa's Favorite Radio Station in Rochester, Minnesota, Is Y-105FM

84% of adults in the United States LOVE listening to Christmas music.  Soon...very, very soon...Santa's favorite station in Rochester will be flipping the switch to Christmas.  We had no idea that his sleigh was equipped with Apple Car Play, but his elves told us that he has the Y-105FM app downloaded so he can listen to us all over the world on Christmas Eve.

Follow Y-105FM on Facebook, Instagram, or grab the free app and you'll be one of the first to know when the Christmas magic has sparked in the Med City.  If you own a business, you can use our app, Alexa, or Google devices to play us too!  There is nothing better than a local radio station talking about the local holiday events while the classics are playing.

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One of the events we just got the update about is the big arrival of Santa!  Below is everything you need to know.

What You Need To Know About The 'Here Comes Santa Claus' Event in Rochester, Minnesota

85% of kids know that Santa is real, and when they have a chance to see him up close before Christmas Day, more and more kids want to show up on that nice list.  ;)

For the past 50+ years, Santa has made sure to put Rochester on his "Must Visit Before Christmas" list.  This year, fingers are crossed that his reindeer figure out how to actually get down to the ground without needing to call the Rochester Fire Department for help.

We'll let the reindeer help guide the way but below are the details for Santa's big arrival:

• When:  Friday, November 28th, 2025
• Time:  2:30 pm until 7 pm with the following events:
  • 2:30 pm - 4:45 pm - Mrs. Claus' Workshop at Historic Chateau Theatre for family-friendly games, merry music, nutcracker dancing, crafts, letter writing to Santa and story time with Mrs. Claus (ASL interpretation during story time.)
  • 5:00 pm - Here Comes Santa Claus rescue from the roof of the Residences of Old City Hall
  • 5:15 pm - Tree lighting ceremony in the Peace Plaza.
  • 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm - photos with Santa Claus on the second floor of the Galleria at University Square
• Where:  Historic Chateau Theatre, 15 1st Street SW, Rochester, MN
• Learn More:  Check out the Here Comes Santa Claus event website for more info.