ROCKPORT — In most communities around New England, Santa Claus arrives by sleigh, fire engine, or on a wagon.

It's only natural that, in Rockport, Santa arrives by lobster boat.

Santa will arrive at Tuna Wharf on Dec. 5 at 3:45 p.m., following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay. Then, the man in red will climb up onto a Forest Fire DePartment truck and proceed along Bearskin Neck to Dock Square, led by Rockport Cub Scouts and the strolling Cape Ann Jazz Band.

At Dock Square, Santa will briefly ascend the platform to greet the crowd and kick off the tree lighting festivities, before climbing back onto the fire truck to begin his long return journey to the North Pole.

Now in its 25th year, the Christmas in Rockport celebration offers a unique blend of the new and the old. And a month's worth of holiday happenings kicks off with this weekend's Holiday Homecoming.

"Christmas tree-lined streets and scores of shops and galleries beckon with an abundance of unique gifts in every price range," said Peter Webber, Rockport Chamber of Commerce's manager.

Webber said the transformation of parking meters into miniature Christmas trees each year is compliments of Stan Poole, who has done it for the last several years in memory of his parents. Parking is free in Rockport throughout the holiday season, he added.

Hot chocolate and hay rides in Dock Square help usher in the season tomorrow.

Traditional holiday programs in the weeks ahead include open houses at several of Rockport's inns, the 64th annual Christmas Pageant on Dec. 19, and Santa's return visit to Dock Square on Christmas morning.

Some of the more recent additions to the festivities include the two-day Gallery Stroll on Dec. 12 and 13, which offers a rare opportunity to meet the artists of the town.

The festivities will conclude Dec. 31 with New Year's Rockport Eve 2009, celebrating its 13th anniversary.

Last year, a snowstorm prevented many people from celebrating and the New Year's Rockport Eve celebration found itself in the red, but a series of fundraisers helped organizer Claire Franklin be able to continue the tradition this year.

Sites throughout downtown Rockport will host children's activities — clowns, puppets, magic, and story tellers — and music for all tastes. Revelers gather in Dock Square for a midnight celebration to welcome 2010.

Buttons are on sale at many Rockport and Gloucester businesses.

Coinciding with Santa's arrival on Saturday, Dec. 5, the tree lighting ceremony will get under way at 4 p.m. Singers are invited to join the Dock Square Carolers to welcome in the season, greeting Santa and the public at the tree lighting.

Choral director Wendy Betts will lead the musical program.¬ A rehearsal for the carolers will be held at the Rockport Art Association at 2:15 p.m. prior to the ceremony.

Selectmen Chairman Sandy Jacques will offer official greetings from the town, then join with Dorothy Stoffa to pull the switch and kick off the season with the lighting of Rockport's Holiday Tree.

A full listing of holiday events and activities can be found on the Rockport Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.rockportusa.com.

Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at 978-283-7000 x 3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.