photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Santa salutes the crowd during the Santa Rescue on Friday, November 28, 2025.

Lawrence held its annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony on Massachusetts Street on Friday, including a visit from Santa Claus that turned into a rescue mission from the roof of Weaver’s Department Store.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

A crowd gatherers in downtown Lawrence for the annual Holiday Lighting and Santa Rescue on Friday, November 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

A crowd cheers as the lights are lit in downtown Lawrence on Massachusetts Street on Friday, November 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Children write letters to Santa at a tent in downtown Lawrence on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Children put letters for Santa in a post box on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

A crowd fills Massachusetts street for the annual Holiday Lighting and Santa Rescue on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Mayor Mike Dever counts down the Holiday Lighting ceremony in downtown Lawrence on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

The crowd cheers as the lights are lit in downtown Lawrence on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Singers from New York Elementary perform Christmas carols before the Santa Rescue on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Santa waves to the crowd from the roof of Weaver’s Department Store on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Santa waves to the crowd from the roof of Weaver’s Department Store on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical personnel work to save Santa from the roof of Weaver’s Department Store on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

A child watches the Santa Rescue in downtown Lawrence on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Santa waves from the roof of Weaver’s Department Store on Friday, November 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Bystanders watch the Santa Rescue on Friday, November 28, 2025.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

A firetruck makes its way through the crowd to rescue Santa on Massachusetts Street on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.