Santa Claus to Arrive by Helicopter at Aviation Museum

Santa Claus is coming to town, and he's arriving by chopper! On Saturday, Dec. 13, Saint Nick will land via helicopter at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, 27 Navigator Rd. 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 families and his fans. 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. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If the weather prevents Santa's chopper from flying, he'll arrive by Manchester Airport fire truck instead. The Aviation Museum will be open free to visitors on Saturday, Dec. 13 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. Santa's visit takes place during this year's "Holiday Festival of Toy Planes and Model Aircraft" exhibit at the Aviation Museum. The exhibit, which runs through Sunday, Jan. 4, includes more than 1,500 aviation-related toys, games and other items that celebrate the enduring childhood fascination with flight. "Many aviation careers started with a special model or toy plane under a tree or given as a birthday present," said Jeff Rapsis. "Each year, we celebrate that connection by displaying aviation toys from our collection, some of which date back to the days of Charles Lindbergh." The Aviation Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 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 Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; CR Helicopters of Nashua; Common Man Roadside, Signature Aviation; and the Manchester Airport Fire Department. The Aviation Museum of N.H., located at 27 Navigator Rd., Londonderry, NH, 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 2025, the Aviation Museum was named "Best Place to Take Kids" in southern New Hampshire for the fifth consecutive year in the HippoPress Readers Poll. For more information, visit www.aviationmuseumofnh.org or call (603) 669-4820. Follow the Aviation Museum on social media at www.facebook.com/nhahs.