Capital City Becomes the North Pole as Santa Touches Down

Soul Santa and Elf Night Events Return to Tallahassee

December 11, 2017

Upon the brisk wind of winter, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a whole elf entourage are coming to the Capital City to celebrate the holiday season. Bringing with him chilly temperatures from the North Pole, Santa and his friends will spread merriment at the City of Tallahassee’s Soul Santa and Elf Night events.

Arriving via helicopter, Soul Santa will touch down on Friday, Dec. 15, at 3:30 p.m. at the LeVerne Payne Community Center and again the following day on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m. at the Walker-Ford Community Center.

Soul Santa’s mission is to bring holiday cheer to Tallahassee children. Each child up to age 10 will receive a special gift. A parent should accompany children to get registered for a present upon arrival.

In addition to presents and a chance to meet Santa, a DJ will pump up the tunes at LeVerne Payne, and local performers will serenade the crowd at Walker-Ford. Food will also be available. The events will take place from 2-6 p.m. on Dec. 15 at the LeVerne Payne Community Center, located at 450 W. 4th Avenue, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 16 at the Walker-Ford Community Center, located at 2301 Pasco Street. Both events are free and open to the public.

After the Soul Santa events, the jolly man himself will stay in town to make an appearance at Dorothy B. Oven Park’s 18th annual Elf Night on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Over 250,000 lights will twinkle against the night sky, transforming the park into a winter wonderland fit for Santa and all his arctic friends. Visitors are invited to take a stroll around the decorated grounds and let Santa know all the items on their holiday wish list.

The line to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus will open at 5:30 p.m. and close at the designated point promptly at 8 p.m. While enjoying Elf Night, parents will want to have their cameras ready to record all the smiles and wonderment on their children’s faces. Elf Night, which is free to the public, is co-sponsored by Thomasville Road Baptist Church, Connie’s Hams and Covenant Hospice. Hot cocoa and cookies will be provided by Santa’s little helpers while supplies last.

For safety reasons, vehicles will not be allowed to drive through Dorothy B. Oven Park, which is located at 3205 Thomasville Road, during the event. Public parking will be available next to the park at Thomasville Road Baptist Church, 3131 Thomasville Road.

Motorists traveling along Thomasville Road are urged to drive with caution in the vicinity of the park that night. Drivers who typically use Thomasville Road and who are not attending Elf Night should consider using an alternate route. Delays are expected due to heavier than normal traffic along the road during the event.

For information about Elf Night and the Holiday Light Display at Dorothy B. Oven Park, please call the special holiday hotline at 891-3115. The Holiday Light Display in the park is currently open from dusk to 11 p.m. each night through January 1. Use caution if driving through the park.

While enjoying the Soul Santa events and Elf Night, be sure to use #TLHolidays when posting updates to your social media accounts. You can follow the Capital City’s holiday happenings by liking the City of Tallahassee at Facebook.com/COTNews and following @COTNews on Twitter and Instagram.

For additional information about other events sponsored by the City of Tallahassee’s Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs (PRNA) department, please visit Talgov.com/Parks. You can also stay up-to-date by liking Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs on Facebook or following @COTparks on Twitter.

Contact Information

Heather Teter, Communications Department, 891-8533