With clear skies, Santa Claus began his annual trek to Portsmouth neighborhoods on Thursday evening, Dec. 2.

The start of Santa's journey was delayed this year by one day due to heavy rains on Wednesday. However, Thursday's clear skies and dry weather were better suited for Santa's sleigh and reindeer.

Pulled by a tractor, Santa and his sleigh were seen driving down West Main Road Thursday and stopping at the Leland Point development. He was also seen in the Common Fence Point neighborhood.

Santa shook hands with various children, who jumped for joy when they spotted the red and white suit. He also gave out candy canes to children, both young and old.

"We will stop at every house if there is a kid in front of that house," Santa said. "We try to stop at every street in town." 

Santa and his volunteers plan to give out nearly 4,000 candy canes this year. Santa also said he "likes chocolate chip cookies very much."

Santa Claus will make his way through various Portsmouth neighborhoods until Friday, Dec. 10. The sleigh will pass by houses every evening except on Sundays.

The schedule has been postponed one day due to rain. In the event of rain or severe weather conditions, the sleigh will not travel.

On Sunday, Dec. 12, Santa Claus will make a special visit to the Glen Manor House at 2:45 p.m. Children are welcome to visit the manor and give Santa their Christmas wish list.

Santa would also like to visit special needs children or children who cannot leave the house. Parents who would like Santa to make a visit are asked to e-mail portsmouthsanta@onaquidneck.com.

The event is organized every year by a group of volunteers and is not a town or fire department-sponsored event.

For an updated schedule of the visits, see the pdf attached at right, click here or view below. The schedule is subject to change and is always weather permitting.

Santa Claus' schedule as of Thursday, Dec. 2. 

This schedule is subject to change and weather permitting.

Thursday, Dec. 2—Common Fence Point, borders from Anthony Road to Mt. View Road, Attleboro Avenue to Narragansett Boulevard; Narragansett Bay to West Main Road; Portsmouth Abbey, Cory's Lane to Debra Drive.

Friday, Dec. 3—The Hummocks and Island Park; Route 24 to Seaconnet Boulevard, Cliff Avenue to Boyd's Lane; West Main Road to East Main Road; Hedly Street south to Locust Avenue and Thurston Avenue on the east.

Saturday, Dec. 4—Pocasset and Botelho Heights; Terminal Road to Anthony Road, Narragansett Bay to Rout 24; Sakonnet River to East Main Road, plus Schoolhouse Lane, Martens Road area; Sherwood Drive to north of Vanderbilt Lane.

Monday, Dec. 6—Portsmouth Park area; Sakonnet River west to Route 24 or East Main Road, Boyd's Lane south to Bourbon Street, or Child Street; Sakonnet River to East Main Road, Vanderbilt Lane south to Sandy Point Avenue and Eastover Road.

Tuesday, Dec. 7—East Main Road to Narragansett Bay; Mare Terrace south to Willow Lane area; Sequoia Lane south to Patriots Drive (including all side streets off Patriots Drive); East Main Road to Union Street beyond the Green Valley Country Club, Madison Way South to Belmont Drive, Oakland Farms.

Wednesday, Dec. 8—Sakonnet River to East Main Road, Child Street, south to Prospect Lane; Middletown town line from Mitchell's Lane north to Sandy Point Avenue; Moitoza Lane east to Sakonnet River.

Thursday, Dec. 9—East Main Road to West Main Road, Dexter Street to Hedly Street; Middletown town line to Bramans Lane, Greenvale Road, south to Georgetown Apartments, east to the Sakonnet River.

Friday, Dec. 10—Sakonnet River to East Main Road, Prospect Lane to Fairview Lane; Middletown town line to Raytheon; Narragansett Bay to Union Street west of the Green Valley Country Club.

Sunday, Dec. 12—Glen Manor House, 2:45 p.m.