LONDONDERRY – Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s arriving by chopper.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, Saint Nick will land via helicopter at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, 27 Navigator Road in Londonderry.

Touchdown is scheduled for 11 a.m. outside the Aviation Museum. All are welcome to attend and join in welcoming the jolly old elf.

Families wishing to welcome the arrival of Santa’s helicopter should be at the museum no later than 10:45 a.m. to park and then make their way to the landing observation area.

After arriving, Santa will enter the museum, where he’ll visit with children one-on-one.

Santa will be available until 1 p.m., when he’ll depart by fire truck courtesy the Manchester Airport Fire Department, which will whisk him off to his next appearance.

Children who speak to Santa will be rewarded with goodie bags given out by Santa’s helpers.

“It’s become an annual tradition for Santa to visit us by helicopter, and we’re pleased to continue it this year,” said Jeff Rapsis, executive director of the aviation Museum.

“This close to Christmas Eve, Santa prefers to travel by chopper because the flying reindeer are resting up for the big night on Dec. 24,” Rapsis said.

Santa’s visit will take place rain or shine on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. If the weather prevents Santa’s chopper from flying, he’ll arrive by fire truck instead.

The Aviation Museum will be open free to visitors on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Following Santa’s departure, regular admission prices will be charged from 1 to 4 p.m.

The Aviation Museum’s store will be open throughout the day so visitors can enjoy holiday shopping.

Besides Santa’s arrival, Saturday, Dec. 10 also marks the debut of this year’s “Holiday Festival of Toy Planes and Model Aircraft” inside the museum.

The exhibit, which runs through Sunday, Jan. 22, includes more than 2,000 aviation-related toys, games, and other items that celebrate the enduring childhood fascination with flight.

This year’s holiday exhibit will be highlighted by a “12 Planes of Christmas” scavenger hunt for the young (and young at heart) as well as a pair of custom-made mobiles hung with model planes that will fly in formation overhead.

“Many aviation careers started with a special model or toy plane under a tree or given as a birthday present,” said Jeff Rapsis, the museum’s executive director. “Each year, we celebrate that connection by displaying aviation toys from our collection, some of which back to the days of Charles Lindbergh.”

The exhibit will also include a special custom display of collectible and newly created aviation-themed posable dolls supplied by Underground Legion Custom Creations of Hollis, N.H.

The Aviation Museum is open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 age 13 and up; $5 age 6-12, seniors 65 and over, and veterans/active military; kids 5 and under free.

Santa’s appearance at the Aviation Museum is made possible by generous supporters including Manchester-Boston Regional Airport; CR Helicopters of Nashua; Signature Flight Services; and the Manchester Airport Fire Department.

The Aviation Museum of N.H., located at 27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, N.H., is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization dedicated to celebrating New Hampshire’s role in aviation history and inspiring tomorrow’s aerospace professionals.

Named “Best Place to Take Kids” in southern New Hampshire in the 2022 HippoPress Readers Poll, the Aviation Museum of N.H. was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Non-Profit Impact Award’ by the Center for N.H. Non-Profits.

For more information, visit www.aviationmuseumofnh.org or call (603) 669-4820. Follow the Aviation Museum on social media at www.facebook.com/nhahs.