Once again this year, Santa Claus came to town—specifically, to the Aviation Museum of N.H.
An aviator himself (he pilots that reindeer-powered sleigh every year!), Santa dropped by on Saturday, Dec. 13 for his annual pre-holiday visit.
Santa’s arrival and departure was courtesy Manchester Airport Fire Department. (Our original plans for Santa to arrive by helicopter had to be changed due to equipment availability.)
About 600 fans turned out to welcome the Big Guy, then meet Santa one-on-one for conversation and photographs.
Santa’s visitors were all given specially-prepared goodie bags.
The Common Man Roadside was on hand to give out free hot chocolate, coffee, donuts, and holiday cookies to all.
Many thanks to all the volunteers and supporters who helped make Santa’s visit possible.
Special thanks to our friends at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Signature Aviation, and ProStar Aviation for their help with this special event.
For photos of families visiting with Santa, please see our special Santa photos page.
Below is a gallery of images that show all the day’s excitement. Many thanks to photographers Norm Beaudette, Steve Heffelfinger, and Lois Dziergowski for all their efforts.
Gallery of Santa’s 2025 visit to the Aviation Museum of N.H.
Merry Christmas to all, Happy Holidays, and To All A Good Night!
Archive: Photos from Santa’s 2024 visit:
Archive: Santa’s 2024 visit
In 2024, Santa visited the Aviation Museum on Saturday, Dec. 14, arriving by helicopter at 11 a.m. and staying until 1 p.m. to meet all his fans. Santa’s appearance w free to all, a fun family event, and a highlight of the holiday season. More details below, plus photos from visits during prior years.
Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s arriving by chopper.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, Saint Nick will land via helicopter at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, 27 Navigator Road in Londonderry.
Touchdown is scheduled for 11 a.m. outside the Aviation Museum. All are welcome to attend and join in welcoming the jolly old elf.
Families wishing to welcome the arrival of Santa’s helicopter should be at the museum no later than 10:45 a.m. to park and then make their way to the landing observation area.
After arriving, Santa will enter the museum, where he’ll visit with children one-on-one.
Santa will be available until 1 p.m., when he’ll depart by fire truck courtesy the Manchester Airport Fire Department, which will whisk him off to his next appearance.
Children who speak to Santa will be rewarded with goodie bags given out by Santa’s helpers.
“It’s become an annual tradition for Santa to visit us by helicopter, and we’re pleased to continue it this year,” said Jeff Rapsis, executive director of the Aviation Museum.
“This close to Christmas Eve, Santa prefers to travel by chopper because the flying reindeer are resting up for the big night on Dec. 24,” Rapsis said.
Santa’s visit will take place rain or shine on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If the weather prevents Santa’s chopper from flying, he’ll arrive by fire truck instead.
The Aviation Museum will be open free to visitors on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Following Santa’s departure, regular admission prices will be charged from 1 to 4 p.m.
The Aviation Museum’s store will be open throughout the day so visitors can enjoy holiday shopping.
Besides Santa’s arrival, Saturday, Dec. 14 also marks the debut of this year’s “Festival of Planes” exhibit inside the museum.
The exhibit, which runs through Sunday, Jan. 19, includes more than 2,000 aviation-related toys, games, and other items that celebrate the enduring childhood fascination with flight.
This year’s holiday exhibit will be highlighted by a display of vintage aviation-themed board games as well as a pair of custom-made mobiles hung with model planes that will fly in formation overhead.
“Many aviation careers started with a special model or toy plane under a tree or given as a birthday present,” said Jeff Rapsis, the museum’s executive director. “Each year, we celebrate that connection by displaying aviation toys from our collection, some of which back to the days of Charles Lindbergh.”
The Aviation Museum is open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 age 13 and up; $5 age 6-12, seniors 65 and over, and veterans/active military; kids 5 and under free.
Santa’s appearance at the Aviation Museum is made possible by generous supporters including Business NH Magazine, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; CR Helicopters of Nashua; Common Man Roadside, Signature Flight Services; and the Manchester Airport Fire Department.
The Aviation Museum of N.H., located at 27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, N.H., is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization dedicated to celebrating New Hampshire’s role in aviation history and inspiring tomorrow’s aerospace professionals.
In 2024, the Aviation Museum was named “Best Place to Take Kids” in southern New Hampshire for the fourth consecutive year in the HippoPress Readers Poll.
For more information, visit www.aviationmuseumofnh.org or call (603) 669-4820.
Below are photos from Santa’s 2023 visit to the Aviation Museum. Enjoy!
