Old Saint Nicholas will land on the roof of City Hall shortly after 6 p.m.

where hundreds of children are expected to be anxiously waiting.

After landing on top of the City Hall tower and making an appearance above the pillars, Santa will greet the children at the steps of building.

Corporation of Hamilton secretary Roger Sherratt said after greeting the children, Santa will travel by fire truck through Burnaby Street and down Reid Street to a special grotto on Queen Street in front of the library.

The event will mark the first time that Santa will be outside instead of in the basement of the Phoenix Store, Mr. Sherratt noted. "In recent years the place has been packed to capacity, hence the change of location.

"We are hoping that the idea of having Santa Claus arrive on the top of City Hall will become a tradition, along with the `Tree of Life' ceremony on the first night of the Christmas Shopping Festival,'' Mr. Sherratt added.

"We would like to encourage families to bring their children to the front of City Hall to sing Christmas carols, to greet Santa Claus, and to enter into the spirit of Christmas.''