The third annual Santa community visits are right around the corner.

Beginning the week of December 12, St. Nick will be stopping by fifteen Cochrane communities spreading Christmas joy.

Mick Gee, Santa Claus Parade Committee, Chairperson, says the tradition is extremely popular in the U.K. and is gaining popularity every year in Cochrane.

"It has grown in popularity once the word gets around that Santa is on his travels, last year we had lots of people following Santa Claus' sleigh to get a second glimpse and third glimpse of Santa at different communities we visited."

Gee adds more and more communities are adding to the visits by planning activities around Santa's arrival.

"We have some on board and in fact we have got a few more on board this year, but we would like them all to come one board. For example in Sunset they have got some stuff going on at the Trading Post, Bow Meadows and their Candy Cane Lane, we have something happening at Calbridge and Fireside, Riversong wants to get involved as well. It's really a gathering moment."

This year the committee has launched a 'Secret Santa' contest which will see Santa himself hand deliver gifts to children. 

"We launched our Secret Santa on October 21 and the closing date on that is November 21, we are encouraging mom's, dad's, granddad's, grandma's, to put their child's name forward."

If your child is chosen Santa will personally deliver a gift, pre-purchased by parents or family members, to the lucky recipient.

To enter the contest you can do so here, Santa will deliver two gifts a night beginning the first evening of the community visits.

Keep an eye out for time and locations of Santa's arrival in your neighbourhood at Cochrane Santa Claus Parade.