Merry Mingle

Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 4-8pm

This community event is open to the public and free to enter.  It will feature various children's activities at no cost including train rides, crafts, stories, live entertainment, holiday displays, character meet and greets, and the lighting of the City's official Christmas Tree at 7:30pm.  Our Holidays Around the World zone will move upstairs to the second floor of the Mansion, along with stories read by Watertown Free Public Library.  Elevator access to the second floor is available. 

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Watertown Public School's All City Choir and Orchestra will be performing in our large reception tent from 4:30-5:30pm.  DJ Ryan Murphy will also be playing holiday tunes in the tent and Joe's Variety is staffing the Jingle Cafe with hot cocoa and treats for sale.

Photo sessions with Santa taken by Natalie Nigito Photography will take place on the first floor of the Mansion until 6:30pm for $10 (with all proceeds benefiting future community events).  Registration for photos is only available on site on the day of the event and we can only accept payment by cash or credit card.  A private gallery will be sent by email following the event and one digital download is included in the purchase price.  Guests will have the option to select their preferred digital download and purchase additional images if desired. 

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Also indoors, the Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee will be hosting lantern making in the dining room on the first floor for the 2026 River of Light Lantern Parade (learn more about the parade here).  Thank you to our friends at Watertown Savings Bank for partnering with us for writing letters to Santa and providing us a special mailbox to send the letters off to the North Pole!

 

Free guest parking in the East Garage on campus and next to the Mosesian Center for the Arts.  MCA is hosting the Holiday Makers Market from 12:00-6:00PM with holiday music, treats, and hot cocoa as you browse the market in their indoor breezeway.  Check out more information on their website to learn more about their vendors!​

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Watertown Recreation will be hosting an (artificial) snowball fight on the lawn along with distributing free popcorn for attendees on the west lawn.  Train rides will take place in the circular driveway at the front of the Mansion.  Take photos by our holiday light displays across the property and with holiday characters on the North Lawn.  Special thanks to our DPW crew for assembling the light tunnel entry!

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Bring a little extra joy to the season by donating an unwrapped toy to support the Whooley Foundation.  Our Toy Drive is being staffed by Watertown Veterans' Services.  Toy Drive contributors will receive a coupon for a discounted admission to the Mosesian Center for the Arts' Charlie Brown Christmas performance being held on December 9.  Thank you to the Mosesian for their partnership and learn more details about their event here.

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Finally, we hope you will join your friends and neighbors for the City's official Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7:30pm.  We extend our gratitude to the Department of Public Workds for planting our community's new living Christmas tree at the Commander's Mansion -- a sustainable gift that will grow with us and be celebrated for years to come!