News Beat
When to see Santa and his sleigh in Bolton -Dates and routes
This year marks another major community effort as Rotary Bolton Lever and the Bolton Lions Club join forces once again to bring the much-loved sleigh tour to neighbourhoods across the borough.
Christopher Hill, President of Bolton Lever Rotary Club said: “We’ve been doing it for over 20 years.
“We try and get round as much as possible, we normally see around 10,000 people interacting with out Bolton Santa each year.”
Mr Hill added that last year brought a huge response from families asking for more coverage.
He said: “We had a lot of Facebook comments from people saying Santa hadn’t been to their area in Harper Green, so we’ve added an extra route this year, bringing it up to eight routes in total.”
The sleigh run is supported by a team of dedicated volunteers, with Enterprise Rent-A-Car kindly providing a vehicle for the duration of the tour.
Mr Hill said the public response last year showed just how much the visits mean to families.
He said: “We even had cars pulling up beside us with kids packed in the back, desperate to see Santa.
“We’re encouraging people who live near the routes to come out and find us, everyone’s welcome.
“The event has two key aims: Firstly, to get around as many streets as possible so children can see the sleigh and Santa.
“Secondly, our bucket collectors are there to raise funds for local charities and to keep our community projects going.”
The Rotary Club also works closely with the Bolton Lions on initiatives such as the Christmas Toy Appeal, ensuring every penny raised goes back into supporting Bolton families.
Each route sets off at 6pm, spreading Christmas cheer as Santa and his volunteers collect spare change, notes, and card donations.
All proceeds will go directly to local Bolton charities, helping families and individuals across the borough.
A JustGiving page has also been set up for anyone who wishes to donate online.
READ MORE:
More:Santa and his elves swapping North Pole for the Albert Halls this Christmas
More:Santa to return to the streets of Leigh this Christmas – dates and times
Here’s when the big man in red will be visiting communities across Bolton:
Johnson Fold – December 1
Halliwell – December 2
Breightmet – December 4
Harper Green (New for 2025) – December 8
Sharples – December 11
Little Lever – December 15 & December 22
Tonge Moor – December 18
Whether you’re hoping for a wave, a photo, or a sprinkle of festive magic, Santa’s making sure no corner of Bolton is left out.
For those eagerly waiting at home, there’ll be a live tracker on Bolton Santa’s Facebook page, along with live feeds and photos, available on the night so families can see exactly where Santa is along the route.
