Last year, near the end of the Santa Parade, a truck rolled down Common Street with local performer Ed Jackowski on it, singing "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." Hometown Weekly reported that children along the route leaned forward when they saw him, because his truck meant Santa was right behind. That evening, the tree lighting on the Common closed out the day.
Both events come back on Saturday, November 28, 2026, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. On Destination Downtown's community calendar they appear as two separate listings, seven hours apart. In practice they make up one day, since the parade ends on the same Common where Santa's house stands and where the tree lights that evening. The blocks of Main Street around the Common are what connect the two events, and that matters for how you plan the day.
The parade ends at the tree
The Santa Parade listing has the parade starting at Walpole High School at 11 a.m. and running down Common Street to Santa's house on the Main Street Common, where he meets the children. The same listing says the tree lighting and caroling start that evening at 6. The town plans the morning and the evening as one event, and the route is built to end at the tree.
Last year's parade gives a good idea of what to expect. Hometown Weekly described hundreds of people lining the route, with Walpole Police and Fire vehicles leading off right at 11 a.m. Behind them came local businesses and organizations on decorated floats and trucks, Scout troops on foot, the high school band, several dance studios, and a line of classic cars. The Abominable Snowman, the Grinch and Elmo all walked the route. One onlooker told Hometown Weekly, "It feels like this parade gets better every year, doesn't it?"
The Walpole Chamber of Commerce organizes the parade every year, according to Hometown Weekly's coverage. That explains why so many floats come from local businesses. Many of the shops and restaurants in the parade also sit along the streets where the crowd ends up.
Where the day goes after noon
The parade listing runs until noon. Once Santa reaches his house, families still have most of the afternoon before the lights go on. The calendar doesn't list any programmed events for that stretch, so downtown businesses fill it.
Destination Downtown's business directory lists a short walk's worth of food on Main Street between the 900 and 1000 blocks. Several of these places publish current hours or menus online:
| Stop | Address | Why it fits the day |
|---|---|---|
| Muffin House Cafe | 907 Main St. | Hours posted as 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, so it's open before the parade and almost until the lighting |
| Conrad's Restaurant | 905 Main St. | Walpole location page with online ordering |
| KOSMOS | 944 Main St. | Weekly hours and pickup ordering posted |
| CRISP | 1049 Main St. | Fall/Winter menu served only at the Walpole location, September 16, 2026 through February 2027 |
| Napper Tandy's | 1065 Main St. | Location page with posted hours |
Muffin House's hours fit the day almost exactly. The cafe opens at 5 a.m., well before the first fire truck leaves the high school, and closes at 5 p.m., an hour before the caroling starts. Sheldon and Josh Strasnick founded it in 2014, and the blueberry muffins it calls "Better than Jordan Marsh" are what it's known for. CRISP's seasonal menu is served only at its Walpole location this winter, which makes it a good lunch for a group that has been standing outside since late morning.
The same directory also lists Vincenzo's Italian Deli at 975 Main, Jalapeno's at 960 Main, The Raven's Nest at 954 Main and Tessie's Bar & Kitchen at 1006 Main. Hours often change on a holiday weekend, so check before you go.
The shopping half of the afternoon
Destination Downtown's shop directory covers the same few blocks:
- Second Glance Consignments, 961 Main St.
- All About Quilts, 958 Main St.
- Hefez & Sons Jewelers, 996 Main St.
- Flowers & More Design Studio, 1075 Main St.
- The Axe Palace, 954 Main St.
- Delux Tux, 1 West St.
- The Run House, 15 West St.
Most of these are within the 900 to 1000 blocks of Main Street, near the Common, and the two West Street shops are just around the corner. A family that walks one side of Main Street after lunch can finish holiday errands and return to the Common before dark. A florist, a jeweler and a consignment shop on the same stretch cover a good share of a gift list. Holiday hours vary from store to store, so calling ahead on a Saturday this busy saves an extra trip.
One downtown address has been under construction recently. In November 2025, Destination Downtown reported ongoing work at 979 Main Street, at Glenwood Avenue, on the former Bank of America site. The four-story building was planned with condominiums upstairs and a first-floor restaurant, and the Select Board had approved alcohol and victualer licenses for that restaurant.
Back to the Common at six
The Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration listing runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the Common, with caroling led by Ed Jackowski, plus hot chocolate, donuts and Santa. In last year's parade, his truck came just before Santa, and this year's listing has him leading the caroling at night. Santa appears at both events.
The lights are a volunteer project. Hometown Weekly reported that last year's displays on the Common were installed by Walpole Lights, which it described as a newly coordinated, all-volunteer group responsible for the town's holiday displays. The Walpole Select Board put a recognition of Walpole Lights on its January 20, 2026 agenda. When the tree lights on the 28th, it's because neighbors spent their own time hanging the lights.
Here's the full day in order:
- 11 a.m. The parade leaves Walpole High School and heads down Common Street.
- Around noon. Santa reaches his house on the Main Street Common and meets children.
- Afternoon. Lunch and shopping along Main Street and West Street.
- 5 p.m. Muffin House Cafe closes, which works as a last call for coffee before the lighting.
- 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tree lighting, caroling with Ed Jackowski, hot chocolate, donuts and Santa on the Common.
The weeks around the big Saturday
Several smaller events on the town calendar fall before and after November 28.
On Saturday, November 14, from 10 to 11 a.m., the 26th Annual Camy Run and David Walk starts at the Walpole Italian-American Club, 109 Stone Street. It includes a USATF-certified 5K, a 5K walk, a children's fun run and fundraising raffles.
On Thursday, November 19, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Walpole Public Library hosts an Adult Craft & Sip Evening.
On Saturday, November 21, from 3 to 4 p.m., the Walpole Classical Music Series performs at United Church in Walpole, 30 Common Street, which is on the parade route.
On Wednesday, December 2, from 4 to 5 p.m., the library holds a Teen/Tween Holiday Craft for ages 11 and up, with an RSVP link on the library's calendar.
The parade, the lights on the Common and the businesses along Main Street are a big part of how Walpole marks the start of the holidays. If you're starting to think about how your own home fits your next chapter in town, whether that means staying close to Main Street or downsizing nearby, Mayer Realty Group can talk it through with you over coffee. Schedule a consultation whenever you're ready.
