Franciscan Christmas Fair
Visitors can explore indoor halls and outdoor heated tents featuring handcrafted pottery, holiday crafts, fresh wreaths, and Christmas trees. The campus hosts a narrated Living Crèche procession accompanied by Christmas carols and live sheep and goats. Families can also visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, browse extensive basket raffles, and sample homemade baked goods.
Sat, Nov 21, 2026 All ages
See more Christmas markets near Meriden
Plan Your Visit
Tickets
No admission fee. Food tickets must be purchased at the food ticket booth for specific food items General raffle tickets are $2.00 each or $20.00 for a booklet of 10. Basket raffle tickets are $1.00 each.
Hours
Fair: 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Living Crèche processions: 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Food & Drink
Food options include Franciscan breads, Christmas breads, dinner rolls, homemade cookies, roasted chestnuts, and other treats; food tickets are required for specific items.
Parking
Parking is free and available around the campus. The main parking is on the grass field beside campus when weather permits; additional parking is across the street on Beverly Drive. Parking attendants and a police officer direct traffic. Visitors are asked not to park directly on Finch Ave. Handicapped parking is available on campus, and volunteers can provide golf-cart rides for people who cannot walk from their car. Traffic can get heavy.
Accessibility
Booths are ground-level accessible, but grounds are hilly and uneven; golf cart transport is available across campus.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Shop early for Franciscan bread, rolls, cookies, fudge and honey, because the edible items often sell out and most things are sold first-come.
- Wear comfortable seasonal clothing and footwear, because the fair runs rain or snow, and the Living Crèche is outdoors on a grass field.
- Stop at the food ticket booth before heading for treats, since you need food tickets for specific food items at the fair.
- If you buy a tree, wreath or centerpiece, leave it in the holding area while you shop, but claim it before the fair ends.
- Tell a parking attendant when you arrive if you need handicapped parking or a golf-cart ride, since volunteers can drive you around campus or back to your car.
Special Events & Promotions
- Two Living Crèche processions during the fair, with narration, carols, live sheep and goats, and an appearance by Santa.
- A general raffle in the Basket Raffle tent, where you choose which prizes your tickets go toward; you don't need to be present to win.
- A basket raffle of themed baskets in the heated tent outside the Chiara Center, drawn after the general raffle in the San Damiano Room.
- Christmas trees, wreaths and centerpieces can be ordered in advance by order form and picked up on campus.
Links & Contact
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the fair good for kids?
Yes, it's very family-friendly. Kids can make Christmas crafts at the children's activities booth, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and pet the sheep and goats. They can also join the Living Crèche as angels or shepherds.
How can my child be in the Living Crèche?
Bring them to the Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care building fifteen minutes before a procession. Costumes are provided. Each presentation lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, and the best viewing is in front of the crèche on the field.
Can we take photos with Santa?
Yes. Santa is on the patio of the Franciscan Life Center, and you can take photos on your own devices at no charge. He takes breaks during the day, appears at both Living Crèche processions, and sometimes wanders the campus.
Where should I park?
Parking is free. The main lot is the grass field beside the campus when weather allows, with more parking across the street on Beverly Drive. Attendants and a police officer direct traffic. Please don't park on Finch Ave.
How do I pay at the booths?
Booths take cash, personal checks, and Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Each booth handles its own payments. Some food items require food tickets from the food ticket booth.
Browse Christmas in Meriden
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.