Santa to arrive in Downtown Midland on December 2 as the Midland Area Santa House opens for the 2025 season
Santa Claus will return to Downtown Midland on Tuesday, December 2, marking the official start of the holiday season for the Midland Area Santa House.
Before the lighting ceremony, Santa and Mrs. Claus will travel from the Tridge to Main Street at 6 PM, where they will join the community outside the Midland County Courthouse. Around 6:30 PM, Santa will receive the keys to his home and light both the Courthouse and the Santa House, officially welcoming families to visit.
Located at the corner of M-20 and Main Street, next to the Midland County Courthouse, the Midland Area Santa House has been a beloved community tradition since 1987. The House is open to the public for free visits and made possible through donor-supported funds held at the Midland Area Community Foundation, as well as the generosity of volunteers who ensure that every guest experiences holiday magic.
“The Midland Area Santa House is one example of what makes our community so special,” said Sharon Mortensen, President and CEO of the Midland Area Community Foundation. “It brings people together in the heart of Downtown Midland to celebrate generosity, connection, and joy, all things that make our community shine during the holiday season.”
The Santa House will be open daily from December 2 through December 23.
Sensory-friendly nights will return December 3, 4, and 5, offering a calm environment designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities. Families may contact the Midland Area Community Foundation at 989-839-9661 to coordinate their sensory-friendly visit.
Volunteer sign-ups for the Northern Star Train and Santa House will open on Friday, November 7, at 9:00 AM at midlandfoundation.org/santahouse. Community members are encouraged to step into the role of “elf,” helping guide Santa House visits or train rides on the Northern Star Train through the festive sights of Downtown Midland.
This year’s opening day will be even more memorable as Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance earlier that afternoon for the Poseyville Preserve Ribbon Cutting on the east end of Main Street at 4:30 PM.
Community members are invited to celebrate the grand opening of Poseyville Preserve, which will connect the restored natural space to Downtown Midland through the new Founders Crossing pedestrian walkway. The walkway links the parks surrounding the Tridge to the recreational areas near Dow Diamond and Founders Park, completing a continuous loop that enhances access to nature and recreation for residents and visitors alike.
The Poseyville Preserve transformation is a collaborative effort among the City of Midland, the Michigan Baseball Foundation, and other community partners to reclaim a once-vacant industrial site and transform it into an accessible and vibrant green space. Another key feature of the project, the Alan W. Ott Family Pavilion, is also part of this broader revitalization effort.
The Midland Area Community Foundation is proud to be a significant funder of Founders Crossing, marking the Foundation’s most substantial single-project contribution in its history, exceeding $1 million.
“Founders Crossing, as part of the Poseyville Preserve Project, will create a gateway into Midland that celebrates our natural resources and welcomes residents and visitors into a vital area of our community,” said Mortensen. “The Poseyville Preserve is a shining example of what’s possible when generosity, collaboration, and community vision come together.”
After the ribbon cutting, guests can stroll across Founders Crossing to the Alan W. Ott Family Pavilion, where Santa’s helpers will greet families with cocoa, cookies, and special treats. Convenient parking for the ribbon cutting will be available near Dow Diamond and the East End building.
For more information about visiting or volunteering at the Midland Area Santa House, visit midlandfoundation.org/santahouse, call 989-839-9661, or email info@midlandfoundation.org.