Gathering of Santa Clauses at the Regina Margherita 2026
Date of the event:
Sixteenth edition of the gathering of Santa Clauses organised by the Fondazione Forma in support of Turin's Regina Margherita children's hospital, scheduled for 13 December 2026, which for the first time will not include the motorcycle parade because of Smat roadworks in piazza Polonia.
The gathering of Santa Clauses at the Regina Margherita is a charity event organised by the Fondazione dell'Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita di Torino (Forma), reaching its sixteenth edition in 2026 and scheduled for Sunday 13 December. The event traditionally brings together thousands of motorcyclists dressed as Santa Claus who ride to the children's hospital in piazza Polonia, to greet the young patients looking out from the windows, and raises funds for the hospital's healthcare projects [1][2].
The announcement of 3 November 2026
On 3 November 2026 the Fondazione Forma announced through its social media channels that the 2026 edition of the gathering will, for the first time, lose its traditional motorcycle parade [1][2]. The decision is linked to Smat roadworks occupying piazza Polonia and the access roundabout, narrowing the carriageway and blocking the sightline between corso Unità d'Italia and the hospital windows, where young patients used to look out to watch the motorcyclists go by [1][2]. This means the whole procession that in previous years set off from the Movi Mobility Village in Beinasco to reach the hospital through the city's streets will not take place [2].
The alternative solution
In place of the parade, the Fondazione Forma has proposed that motorcyclists meet on Sunday 13 December from 8:30 to 10am at Lingotto, where a reserved motorcycle parking area will be available [1][2]. From there participants will walk, wearing the red Santa Claus costume, to piazza Polonia, so as to still ensure a crowd of Santa Clauses is present in front of the hospital [1][2]. The Movi Mobility Village will also move from Beinasco to Lingotto, where a stage with surprises for participants will be set up [1][2].
The fundraising
The gathering is one of the main events of the Fondazione Forma's Christmas campaign, which through the sale of costumes and charity products supports the hospital's projects [2]. In the Christmas 2025 edition the fundraising had reached 540 thousand euros, earmarked for the new paediatric haemodynamics suite at the Regina Margherita, while around 40 thousand people had taken part in the event [2].
Related articles: Regina Margherita Children's Hospital
Sources
- Raduno dei Babbi Natale al Regina Margherita, cambia tutto: niente sfilata in moto, ritrovo al Lingotto — TorinoToday, 3 November 2026
- Niente sfilata delle moto al raduno dei Babbi Natale ma Torino non rinuncia alla festa per i bambini — La Stampa, 3 November 2026