Santa Arrives by Tugboat & 22nd Annual Lighted Boat Parade Set for November 29 in Mystic.  Beloved Christmas Holiday Stroll, Downtown Mystic on December 2.

Mystic, CT — The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce will once again kick off the holiday season with two of its most cherished waterfront traditions on Saturday, November 29, 2025: Santa Arrives by Tugboat and the 22nd Annual Lighted Boat Parade. The day begins with a festive Holiday Artisan Market on Cottrell Street from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., featuring nine local vendors. At 2:00 p.m., Santa will arrive aboard the Thames Towboat Company’s tugboat John Paul, greeting children in Mystic River Park until 3:30 p.m. The evening program opens with the Mystic River Park Tree Lighting at 6:00 p.m., immediately followed by the illuminated procession of decorated vessels in the annual Lighted Boat Parade, which will once again be simulcast live on WFSB’s “The Wix."

Guests can find detailed parking information, waterfront viewing tips, and brand-new Viewing Area Maps on the Chamber’s website and the Go Mystic App, along with information about the VIP Viewing Party at the Mystic Museum of Art and additional waterfront viewing hosted by Mystic Seaport Museum. “Nothing captures the spirit of Mystic quite like Santa arriving by tugboat and the glow of boats lighting up the river,” said Bruce Flax, President of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. “These traditions bring our community together in a way that’s uniquely Mystic — joyful, connected, and full of heart.”

Complete event details including parking, viewing areas, and VIP events and Seaport Viewing can be found at www.mysticchamber.org/santa-arrives-by-tugboat and by downloading the Go Mystic App.

On December 2^nd Mystic merchants open their doors to welcome the community for the Holiday Season with light bites and drinks.  Come down and start your holiday shopping at the Mystic Christmas Lantern Luminaria Stroll!  The streets are decorated with lighted lanterns and carolers will be strolling entertaining the crowd.  Performers include The Music Studio, Ashley Jones Violin School, Mystic River Brass Ensemble, Ledyard High School Carolers, Union Baptist Church Concert Bells, Mystic River Chorale, Noank Mystic Community Band and Mystic Ukulele.

Chelsea Groton Bank was the major sponsor this year providing support to light the street posts downtown and the Mystic River Park Christmas Tree.  Other Event Sponsors include Cumulus Radio, TechScale Solutions, Somewhere in Time, Captain’s Mansion, RSR Residential, Bartlett Tree Service, Mystic Aquarium, Chelsea Groton Bank, Hartford Healthcare, Mystic Transportation, Charter Oak, Tree Trails, Great Wolf Lodge, Mystic Seaport Museum, Advanced Construction, Thames Towboat, Mystic Shipyard, Breezeline, and Groton Utilities