Commissioner Alphonse Petracco &
Department of Public Safety
Present:
64th Annual Santa’s Arrival
Sponsored by:
Nutley Chamber of Commerce
Friday, November 27, 2026 | Gates 1 PM | Santa 2 PM
Nutley High School Park Oval, 300 Franklin Ave, Nutley, NJ
Free Admission | Rain or Shine | No Dogs / Pets Allowed
2026 Santa’s Arrival Sponsors
Santa’s Arrival Spectacular November 27, 2026
64th Annual Event Stacked with Family Entertainment at Nutley Park Oval
NUTLEY, NJ – Get ready for a holiday season blastoff like no other as Commissioner Alphonse Petracco and Department of Public Safety present the 64th Annual Santa’s Arrival on Friday, November 27, 2026, at Nutley High School Park Oval.
This highly anticipated and festive tradition sponsored by Nutley Chamber of Commerce is made possible by local businesses and has brought Santa and Mrs. Claus to town for decades.
“We are very excited to have Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in grand fashion on a Nutley Fire Truck,” said Commissioner Petracco, Director of Public Safety. “The ceremonial procession will include festively decorated township vehicles and big rig trucks to rattle the earth and make enough noise to let the world know that Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick is in Nutley!”
Similar to last year’s spectacular, the trucks, police cruisers and ceremonial cars representing all township departments will follow the lead fire truck in parade-like fashion and circle the surrounding Park Oval streets to build anticipation before leading Santa and Mrs. Claus into the stadium to be greeted by the thousands in attendance.
Incomparable event host Robert Frannicola of Ultimate Entertainment provides the incredible energy as Christmas music fills the air. Celebrity singer Anna Felice will be performing live, belting out Christmas Carols. Rousing performances by Dancers in Motion and Dancesation Studio keep you entertained while waiting for Santa. Larger-than-life IWF Wrestlers will make their way around the Oval so children can pose for photos with the championship belts.
Mayor John V. Kelly, III provides a ‘Santa Express Mailbox’ outside the Park Oval gate on Chestnut Street. Dr. Joseph P. Scarpelli hosts a ‘Letters to Santa’ initiative where children at Santa’s Arrival will receive a kit with all the necessary materials needed to write their Christmas list. The letters can be placed in the mailbox until December 14 and will be hand-delivered with care to Santa!
“I’m looking forward to handing out our ‘Letters to Santa’ kits again as we usher in the holiday season with one of Nutley’s finest traditions… Santa’s Arrival at the Park Oval,” said Dr. Scarpelli.
Amazing free giveaways from the chamber’s generous sponsors and vendors will be available, and a few lucky attendees will receive door prizes and gift cards donated by local businesses.
Spectator admission is free for this rain or shine event, gates open at 1 pm and Santa is scheduled to arrive at 2 pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for group family photos until 3 pm when they must depart back to The North Pole to begin Christmas preparations!
“The coordination of this event would not be possible without the Township of Nutley,” said Chamber President Joe Graziano. “We are grateful for the efforts of Public Safety, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Public Affairs & Health, Revenue & Finance, and the Board of Education to make this massive event happen.”
Robert Frannicola, Chamber Vice President, added, “this event also serves as an opportunity for honors students from Nutley High School and John H. Walker Middle School to work as volunteer helpers and receive valuable community service hours for their transcripts.”
In addition to ushering in the holidays, Santa’s Arrival takes place on Black Friday – November 27. That means, its shopping season!
“Nutley Chamber Small Business Saturday, in partnership with American Express, is November 28, followed by Cyber Monday on November 30, and Giving Tuesday for our non-profit organizations on December 1,” says Chamber Past President Jim McGuire. “We encourage you to shop, dine and donate in Nutley – support those businesses and civic groups who support the community.”
“Nutley Chamber Small Business Saturday, in partnership with American Express, is November 28, followed by Cyber Monday on November 30, and Giving Tuesday for our non-profit organizations on December 1,” says Chamber Past President Jim McGuire. “We encourage you to shop, dine and donate in Nutley – support those businesses and civic groups who support the community.”
Since 1953, Nutley Chamber of Commerce represents 250 small businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals and civic organizations through a wide variety of enterprises, working to promote the economic development of our town. The Chamber is a non-profit organization that operates autonomously and independently, financed entirely by membership dues and sponsorships.
2026 SANTA’S ARRIVAL SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Nutley Chamber of Commerce
Nutley Foot & Ankle
Nutley Orthopaedic Group
Proponent Federal Credit Union
GOLD SPONSORS
IWF Wrestling
Lightbridge Academy of Rutherford
Renee Friscia | State Farm Insurance
- Ultimate Entertainment
SILVER SPONSORS
Custodi Caterers
JAG Physical Therapy
True Lash Studio
Zippo’s Car Stereo & Mobile Electronics
BRONZE BOOSTERS
Anna Felice
Cookie Diva
Dancers In Motion
Dancesation Studio
Hyssop Beauty Apothecary
Monaco Realty | Lori Monaco
Ryan Philip | Longbridge Financial
Sophie’s Garden