PHOTOS: Santa rescued from Weaver’s at annual holiday lighting ceremony
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.





