The Annual Drive-By-Santa Holiday Event
Get ready to dive into the most magical holiday celebration of the year!
About Drive-By-Santa
Drive-By Santa is a free, sensory-friendly community event hosted annually by Autism Connections.
Families can enjoy a festive drive-through experience featuring holiday lights, decorations, first responders, service vehicles, and other community partners, all from the comfort of their own vehicle. At the end of the route, families will have the chance to visit with Santa, take photos, and receive a holiday stocking*!
Children can also send a letter to Santa and receive a personalized reply mailed back to them, adding an extra special touch to the experience!
Drive-By Santa offers families a calm, welcoming way to enjoy a bit of holiday magic in an environment designed with accessibility in mind.
*Stockings will be distributed while quantities last.
The Benny's Bears Comfort Bear Program
We are incredibly grateful for the generous volunteers behind Benny’s Bears Comfort Bear Program, a Fredericton-based initiative that has been bringing comfort and joy to children since 2018.
Created in memory of Ben Dodding, a warm, imaginative, and lighthearted young boy who passed away in 2015, Benny’s Bears carries forward his spirit by spreading love in the form of beautifully handmade knitted and crocheted teddy bears.
Each bear is crafted with care, intention, and love. Volunteers donate not only their time and materials, but also their hearts—many choosing to create bears in memory of loved ones who have gone before us. At the end of each month, completed bears are donated to the Comfort Bear Program (DECH/OPH) or to an organization chosen by the family dedicating that month.
Benny’s Bears has supported countless community organizations, including Liberty Lane, Opal Family Services, Gignoo Transition House, Best Buddies Programs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Multicultural Association of Fredericton, Greener Village, Autism Connections, Fredericton Transition House, and Head Start programs. Their reach has extended far beyond New Brunswick as well, with bears finding homes as far away as Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Kenya, the Dominican Republic, Belize, St. Maarten, and several parts of Africa.
Each bear represents a piece of Ben’s legacy—his love for people, his joyful imagination, and his ability to make others smile. We are so honoured to receive these special gifts year after year, and deeply appreciate the comfort they bring to the children and families we serve.
If you are interested in dedicating a month in memory of someone you love, Benny’s Bears welcomes you to reach out—your story, and your memories, matter.
Our 2025 Sponsor
Many, many thanks....
On behalf of Autism Connections, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Fairstone Financial, located at 1055 Prospect St., Unit 4, Fredericton NB), for their continued support as our annual sponsor of Drive-By Santa!
Their generous contribution makes it possible for us to create this magical, sensory-friendly holiday experience for families in our community. Thanks to your commitment, we are able to bring joy, excitement, and cherished memories to families, all while ensuring a comfortable and safe environment for everyone.
We are deeply grateful, thank you, Fairstone Financial, for helping make this event a reality and for your unwavering support of our mission to create inclusive, meaningful experiences for all!
Our 2025 Community Partners
