The Folsom Police Officers Association is once again gearing up for Santa’s pre-holiday arrival, setting the stage for one of the city’s most cherished traditions to return to local streets this December. The 2025 Folsom Santa Run schedule has been finalized, giving families across the community plenty of time to prepare for the lights, music, and unmistakable holiday spirit that arrive each year with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Presented annually by the Folsom Police Officers Association with support from community volunteers and the Folsom Fire Department, the Santa Run brings the Claus couple into neighborhoods citywide aboard a festive sleigh towed by police escort. For many families, stepping out onto the driveway or gathering on the sidewalk to greet Santa has become a tradition that stretches across generations. Children wait in pajamas, parents snap photos, and the entire city seems to pause for a few moments to enjoy something simple, joyful, and uniquely Folsom.
Santa will again depart the Folsom Police Department at 5 p.m. each evening, beginning December 1 with a visit toFolsom Ranch, the city’s rapidly growing community south of Highway 50. Families in this emerging part of the city have embraced the Santa Run in recent years, and this year they’ll be the first to welcome Santa as he makes his 2025 debut.
On December 2, Santa rolls northward intoNatoma Station,Cobble Ridge, andSteeplechase, established neighborhoods known for lining their sidewalks early and greeting the sleigh with clusters of bundled-up kids eagerly waiting for the sirens and music to echo through the streets.
December 3 brings Santa intoBriggs Ranch,The Parkway, andWillow Creek, three interconnected west-side neighborhoods where the Santa Run has long been a cornerstone of the holiday season. These areas are known for high turnout, glowing holiday lights, and entire cul-de-sacs that often gather together outside to watch Santa pass by.
After a brief break in the schedule, the tour resumes December 8 with visits toLexington Hills,Hillcrest, andEmpire Ranch, three hillside neighborhoods east of Prairie City Road. With their elevated views, winding streets, and strong community turnout, these stops often create some of the most scenic backdrops for Santa’s brightly lit sleigh.
December 9 brings a wide sweep across central Folsom as Santa visitsLos Cerros,Willow Springs,Prairie Oaks, andBroadstone. These neighborhoods sit near the heart of the city’s parks, schools, and shopping areas, drawing large family crowds who often gather along major corridors to greet Santa with glowing porch lights and holiday cheer.
The grand finale arrives December 10 with a wintery ride throughAmerican River CanyonandHistoric Folsom, two of the city’s most iconic and picturesque neighborhoods. Canyon homes traditionally glow with holiday décor, while the charm of the historic district often creates one of the most nostalgic and memorable nights of the entire Santa Run.
Real-time updates will be available atwww.folsomsantatracker.com, allowing residents to follow Santa’s progress street by street so they can step outside at just the right moment. A rain-out date of December 16 has been set aside and will be used if weather disrupts any scheduled night. The Police Officers Association will post updates online and through social media if plans change.
The Santa Run remains one of the most heartwarming traditions in the city. With every wave, every excited shout from a child, and every family gathered outside in blankets and coats, the event reflects the spirit of a community that takes pride in celebrating together. In a season often filled with busy schedules, the simple magic of watching Santa glide through the neighborhood continues to bring people out of their homes and into the shared joy of the moment.
Schedule at a glance
December 1: Folsom Ranch
December 2: Natoma Station, Cobble Ridge, Steeplechase
December 3: Briggs Ranch, The Parkway, Willow Creek
December 8: Lexington Hills, Hillcrest, Empire Ranch
December 9: Los Cerros, Willow Springs, Prairie Oaks, Broadstone
December 10: American River Canyon, Historic Folsom
Rain-out date if needed: December 16
Folsom Santa Sleigh History
The rolling sleigh that families will see gliding through Folsom this December carries with it nearly forty years of history, creativity, and community teamwork. According to longtime North Pole sleigh designer Wunorse Openslae, the Folsom Santa Run began in 1986 when the Folsom Police Officers Association asked Santa if they could borrow one of his sleighs to help spread holiday cheer. Santa agreed—on the condition they use a retired sleigh model and that the magic needed for its Christmas Eve flight stay safely at the North Pole. That meant the officers needed to tow the sleigh themselves, and the idea quickly turned into something special.
The earliest version of the sleigh sat on a small trailer pulled by a Ford Crown Victoria, adorned with handcrafted wooden reindeer stretching across the top of the patrol car. In 1987 the sleigh evolved again, this time towed by a Chevy pickup and used to gather toys and food for families in need through a partnership with Twin Lakes Food Bank. It didn’t take long before the Santa Run became a local phenomenon, eagerly awaited by families each December.
More changes arrived in the 1990s when technology and community involvement expanded. A young Folsom Police Explorer named Daren Prociw became one of the most important figures in the sleigh’s evolution, helping transform it into a sturdier, four-seat model with updated rails, lighting, and sound. Prociw later became a police officer and oversaw the sleigh program for two decades, ensuring it continued with care and craftsmanship.
The largest transformation came in 2019, when the sleigh entered its fourth decade and the community rallied for a major rebuild. Inspired by a concept sketch from Openslae, volunteers across the city helped construct a nearly brand-new sleigh from the ground up. Service clubs, local businesses, police and fire personnel, and residents all pitched in, lending their time and skills to carpentry, wiring, painting, upholstery, and lighting. What started as pencil marks on cardboard soon became a beautifully crafted sleigh built to serve future generations of Folsom families.
By the time the work was complete, Santa himself gave official approval for the sleigh to serve as an authorized model for the Folsom Police Officers Association. Today, CAPS volunteers, officers, and local residents continue to help maintain and improve it, carrying forward a tradition that brings joy to thousands each December. When the lights glow, the music plays, and Santa waves from the sleigh, Folsom families aren’t just watching a neighborhood visit—they’re witnessing a living piece of the community’s holiday history.
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
