Press Release | For Immediate Release
Santa Is Coming To McLaughlin Garden and Homestead
Santa’s First Stop in South Paris – Saturday, November 29, 2025
Free Photos with Santa | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
South Paris, Maine (November 12, 2025) — Celebrate the Christmas season with a special visit from Santa at the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead on Saturday, November 29, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM! Families can enjoy free photos with Santa, free parking and free candy canes for the kids in a festive and inviting holiday setting at Santa’s first stop in South Paris on November 29th ahead of the big parade!
Join us before heading out to watch Maine’s largest Christmas Parade – now in its 40th year! Held in the towns of South Paris and Norway in the Oxford Hills region, this beloved holiday tradition marches right by the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead.
Adding to the excitement, Luchador’s Food Truck will be in the parking lot bringing parade tailgating to a whole new level! They will be serving hot breakfast burritos, breakfast churros, and hot coffee – perfect for keeping warm and festive while you shop and wait for the parade.
In addition to Santa’s visit, the Annual Wreath Sale will be happening all day at the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead, and in November during gift shop hours.. Beautiful wreaths and swags – crafted from locally picked boughs from the property of McLaughlin Garden volunteer Becky Burke – will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead.
The wreath sale runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and includes:
- 12” Spruce and Fir Wreaths
- 9” Holly and Cedar Wreathes
- 16” Swags
All wreaths are decorated with bows, and pinecone decorations may be added for an additional fee.
Visitors can shop at the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead Gift Shop, open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and take part in the holiday raffle featuring six incredible prizes:
- $25 McLaughlin Garden and Homestead Gift Card
- Handcrafted Bluebird House – made by a Garden volunteer
- A Christmas Decoration
- Handcrafted Necklace by local artisan Susan Weiler
- A New Toy
- A Surprise item!
Raffle tickets are just 6 for $5.00, and all proceeds help support McLaughlin Garden and Homestead.
This fun-filled event is free and open to the public – just bring your holiday spirit, enjoy great food while tailgating, do some shopping, and capture a memory with Santa before the parade!
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Photos with Santa)
Gift Shop Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wreath Sale: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: McLaughlin Garden and Homestead, 97 Main Street, South Paris, Maine
Cost: Free photos, free parking, free candy canes for the kids
Raffle: 6 tickets for $5 — 6 great prizes!
Food: Luchador’s Food Truck on site
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of our 2025 season sponsors, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital and Norway Savings Bank.
Those who would like to enjoy more of the holiday season at the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead, may want to partake in our wreath collecting and wreath building opportunities, and our upcoming Annual Wreath Sale.
- November 17 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Need an excuse to get out into the woods? Meet at the Garden before carpooling to volunteer Becky Burke’s Waterford wood lot to collect greens.
- November 18 and November 19 from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM: Want to learn how to make a wreath or swag? This is your chance! Learn to create vibrant wreaths from our seasoned experts and help support McLaughlin Garden and help assemble festive wreaths and swags for our annual sale. No experience needed! All materials provided.
- November 21 – November 30 (or until we run out): this holiday season, furnish your front door with a lovely handmade wreath, crafted by McLaughlin Garden volunteers. Made with sustainably- harvested, local evergreen tips, these stylish adornments are sure to evoke some holiday cheer.
- Schedule as follows for the Annual Wreath Sale, and our November Gift Shop hours:
- November 21st from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- November 22nd from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- November 28th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- November 29th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- November 30th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
For more information, please visit the McLaughlin Garden events page at https://mclaughlingarden.org or call (207) 743-8820 to learn more about this event and other seasonal offerings at the McLaughlin Garden and Homestead.
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ABOUT McLaughlin Garden and Homestead
The McLaughlin Garden is home to one of the largest collections of lilacs in New England, with 125 varieties on more than 200 trees. The garden collection also includes an impressive array of hostas, daylilies, astilbes, iris, phlox, wildflowers and ferns. Each year, the McLaughlin Garden welcomes nearly 10,000 visitors who come to enjoy the garden as well as our special programs and events. Now over 80 years old, the landmark two-acre garden, historic barn, and home are under the stewardship of the McLaughlin Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kimberly J. Poland, Poland Media Group – 401-743-7272, kimberly@polandmediagroup.com
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