Santa Claus will ride through Milford neighborhoods aboard Engine 71 on Sunday, Dec. 20, as the Milford Community Fire Department (MCFD) brings back its annual Santa Sunday tradition.
The citywide tour runs from 1 to 6 p.m., with Santa traveling block by block to wave at residents and hand out treat bags to children, the department said in a Facebook post first reported by the Clermont Guardian.
The format follows what Milford families have come to expect over the years. Santa trades his sleigh for a fire engine and rolls through each neighborhood while firefighters distribute treats along the route.
The tradition stretches back decades. In a November 2021 report to Milford City Council, the department called Santa Sunday "a Milford tradition of nearly 70 years" and "the city's unofficial holiday celebrating Christmas being just-around the corner."
District Chief Miles Miller previewed last year's Santa Sunday at the Dec. 16, 2025, council meeting, telling members the event would start at 1 p.m. and advising residents to "listen for the sirens." After that December 2025 run, the department reported to council that "Santa Sunday was another great success," according to Jan. 6, 2026, meeting minutes. Extra treat bags were dropped off to SEM Communities for residents there.
The announcement does not include a neighborhood-by-neighborhood schedule. Families wanting to know when Santa will reach their street should watch for sirens or check MCFD's Facebook page closer to the date.
MCFD operates out of Station 71 at 687-B U.S. Route 50 in Milford.
Upcoming Milford holiday events:
- Nov. 27-28 — Hometown for the Holidays festival, downtown Milford business district
- Nov. 27, 7 p.m. — Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Five Points Landing Park, 527 Lila Ave.
- Dec. 20, 1-6 p.m. — Santa Sunday, citywide
