Santa Claus parades in Ontario 2024

Greater Toronto Area

The Original Toronto Santa Claus Parade

The Original Toronto Santa Claus Parade is one of the oldest in the world. It is returning to the streets of Toronto this year to delight and entertain thousands of spectators. 

Witness dazzling parade floats, bands, marchers, and, of course, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will make a guest appearance to close out the celebration. Experience the Toronto Santa Claus parade in-person or view it on TV stations such as CTV and CP24. 

Public transit is highly recommended for the parade, though limited paid street parking may be available around the area.

Date: Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 12:30 p.m.
Location and route: The parade starts at Christie Pits Park and travels east along Bloor Street. It then travels south on St. George Street, east along Hoskin Avenue, south along University Avenue, east along Wellington Street, south on Yonge towards Union Station, east along Front Street and ends at St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto.

Brampton Santa Claus Parade

Dozens of parade floats glide through the city streets during the Brampton Santa Claus Parade. Santa’s helpers travel along the parade route to pick up kids’ letters to Santa ahead of Christmas.

Some parking is available around the parade route.

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
Location and route: From Central Park Drive and Bramalea Road, the parade travels north along Bramalea Road, east along North Park Drive and ends at Jordan Boulevard in Brampton.

Oakville Santa Claus Parade

This festive Oakville Christmas event has been running for over 70 years. Schools, walking groups, community groups and commercial businesses organize parade floats. 

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
Location and route: From Lakeshore Road East and Reynolds Street, the parade travels west along Lakeshore Road, north along Kerr Street, then west along Stewart Street in Oakville.

Milton Santa Claus Parade

Thanks to the Royal Canadian Legion and local firefighters, the Milton Santa Claus Parade has been held every winter season since 1933.

This year’s parade includes a “Christmas through the Decades” theme and features floats made by the local community. Volunteers hand out candy to kids along the parade route, excitedly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus. 

Five-hour paid parking is available on roads near the parade route.

Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.
Location and route: Starts at Main Street West and Whitmer Street, travels east along Main Street West and ends at the Milton GO Station in Milton.

York, Durham and Headwaters

Whitchurch-Stouffville Santa Claus Parade

Brightly lit floats make their way down Main Street during the Whitchurch-Stouffville Santa Claus Parade. From reindeer and polar bears to fire trucks and steam trains, and of course, Santa Claus himself, there are fun sights to see at the event. 

Some on-street paid parking is available near the parade route in Whitchurch-Stouffville, limited to three hours.

Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Location and route: Starts at Ninth Line and Main Street, travels along Main Street and ends at Park Drive in Whitchurch-Stouffville.

Oshawa Santa Claus Parade of Lights

The Oshawa Santa Claus Parade is organized and run by the community and features incredible floats. During the grand finale, Santa Claus makes a special appearance. 

Keep the festive spirit by joining a holiday-themed workshop or shopping for loved ones at the local holiday market. 

The parade runs rain or shine. Extra equipment, such as lawn chairs or blankets, will help make your experience more comfortable. 

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Location and route: Starts at Division Street and Bond Street, travels west along Bond Street and ends at Gibbons Street in Oshawa. 

The Newcastle Santa Parade

Over 70 performances appear in the Newcastle Santa Parade, including marching bands, clowns and beautiful light-up floats. This year’s theme is “O Little Town of Newcastle,” so expect plenty of fun parade costumes and creatively designed floats that will delight kids and adults alike. 

Before the parade begins, the tree-lighting ceremony takes place at 5:00 p.m. in front of the Newcastle Town Hall, followed by a fireworks display at 5:30 p.m., which marks the start of the parade. 

Some paid on-street parking is available near the parade route.

Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
Location and route: Starts east from North Street and travels along King Avenue to Arthur/Brookhouse Street in the east of Newcastle.

Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington

KW Santa Claus Parade

Run by the Lions Club of Kitchener, the KW Santa Claus Parade features almost a hundred floats. 

Canada Post will be on hand to collect kids’ letters to Santa, while the Food Bank of Waterloo will be collecting food items and local firefighters will be collecting toys for the Knights of Columbus’ Toy Drive.

This is a popular event, so arrive early to get a spot near the start of the parade route. It lasts for 1.5 hours and Rogers TV will be broadcasting the celebration from City Hall.

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024, starting between 9:45 and 10:00 a.m.
Location and route: The parade travels along Weber Street from Frederick to Erb Street in Waterloo.

Hamilton, Halton and Brant

Hamilton Santa Claus Parade

The Hamilton Santa Claus Parade is a volunteer-run event that has been bringing the community together for the festive season for over 45 years. 

Three permanent floats—the Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the famous 25-year-old Frosty the Snowman — are included in the parade every year. 

A food drive will also be set up for non-perishable food item donations. 

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Location and route: The parade begins at Upper Sherman Avenue and Acadia Road, then travels north on Upper Sherman to Limeridge Road East, west on Limeridge Road to Lime Ridge Mall Road and north on Lime Ridge Mall Road to the northeast corner of the Parking Lot.

Burlington Santa Claus Parade

The Burlington Santa Claus Parade is sponsored and run by local businesses and features floats, marching bands and costumed characters, including Santa Claus.

Letter carriers will walk along the parade route to collect your letters for Santa. 

Support the local food bank by bringing a non-perishable food donation.

Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Location and route: Starts at the Central Hub (Teen Tour Way), travels southwest on New Street, northwest on Brant Street and ends on Brant Street at Blairholm Avenue in Burlington.

Niagara Region

Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade

Presented by the Ontario Power Generation, the Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade boasts an impressive lineup of special guests and entertainment.

At 5:15 p.m., the parade ends at Centennial Square with a tree-lighting ceremony. After the tree lighting, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy live entertainment, hot chocolate and food trucks. 

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Location and route: Starts at Victoria Avenue and Armoury Street, then travels along Valley Way and ends at City Hall in Niagara Falls.

Grimsby Santa Claus Parade

Grimsby’s annual Santa Claus Parade is one of the longest-running events in the town and features over 90 entries ranging from community floats, walking groups and marching bands. 

The theme for the 67^th event is “Christmas Out of This World!” 

Some on-street paid parking is available near the parade route.

Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 5:15 p.m.
Location and route: Starts at Blessed Spirit Secondary School, travels east along Livingston Avenue and Main Street and ends at the Ontario Street intersection in downtown Grimsby.

Southeastern Ontario

Belleville Santa Claus Parade

Get in the holiday spirit at the Belleville Santa Claus Parade. Enjoy over 50 parade floats, bands, Christmas-themed craft activities, a holiday market and family photo ops with Santa Claus himself. 

Letters for Santa will be collected by the Rotary Club of Belleville, while toy donations go to the Belleville Professional Firefighters Christmas Toy Drive. 

Paid public parking is available in the downtown area.

Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Location and route: Starts at Bridge and Sidney Street, travels east along Bridge Street and ends at Bridge and Herchimer in Belleville.

Port Hope Santa Claus Parade

2024 marks the 88th Santa Claus Parade in Port Hope with live music, parade floats and displays from the local community. 

Before or after the parade, visit Memorial Park, decked out for the winter season with thousands of Christmas lights after the Port Hope Candlelight Festival on November 29.

The Fare Share Food Bank will collect non-perishable food items and parade donations can be made to the Rotary Club. 

Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
Location and route: Starts at Bramley Street and Ridout Street, travels along Walton Street and ends at Queen Street and Augusta Street in Port Hope.

Trenton Santa Claus Parade

Beautifully decorated and illuminated community-made parade floats are showcased at the Trenton Santa Claus Parade. 

After the parade, visit Fraser Park Quinte West and Frankford Tourist Park to view festive lighting displays.

Date: Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Location and route: Starts at Community Gardens, travels along Campbell Street, turns left on Dundas Street East and across the Veteran Skyway Bridge, travels along Dundas Street West and ends at Queen Street in Trenton.

Southwestern Ontario

London Original Santa Claus Parade

Fueled by local volunteers, the London Santa Claus Parade has been running since 1956. This year’s parade theme is “A Candy Christmas” and will include parade floats and musical entertainment. 

The London and District Food Bank will collect non-perishable food items. The parade will be live-streamed on the city’s media YouTube channel. 

Municipally-owned paid parking lots are available near the parade route.

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Location and route: The parade begins at Quebec Street and Queens Avenue, then travels west along Queens Avenue, north on Waterloo Street, west on Dufferin Avenue, south on Clarence Street, west onto Queens Avenue and ends at Ridout Street.

Petrolia Annual Santa Claus Parade

At this year’s annual Petrolia Santa Claus Parade, the town is “Celebrating Petrolia 150” with innovative parade floats and entertaining winter activities for kids. 

Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.
Location and route: Downtown Petrolia 

Grey, Bruce and Simcoe

Markdale Santa Claus Parade

The South Grey Chamber of Commerce and the Municipality of Grey Highlands will host the annual Markdale Santa Claus Parade. 

Date: Friday, November 29, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Location and route: Follow the parade from Markdale Arena, along Main Street, across Highway 10 to end at the Grey Country Rail Trail parking lot in Markdale.

Wasaga Beach Santa Claus Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Santa Claus Parade in Wasaga Beach traditionally includes entertainment, treats and the town’s annual tree lighting ceremony in Oakview Woods Gazebo. 

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Location and route: The event starts at Dunkerron Avenue and ends at the RecPlex Community Centre at 1724 Mosley Street.

Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Gravenhurst Santa Claus Parade

Gravenhurst’s historic downtown provides the perfect winter backdrop for the 71st annual Gravenhurst Santa Claus Parade and Christmas festivities. The theme for this year is “Classic Holiday Movies”. 

Stop by the Opera House after the parade to take a photo with Santa. 

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Location and route: The parade starts at Veterans Way, travels north on Muskoka Road South to Muskoka Road North and ends at Peter Street in Gravenhurst. 

Ottawa Region

Help Santa Toy Parade 

Santa and his friends are returning for the 55th year in 2024 to bring joy and cheer during the Help Santa Toy Parade.

Donations support the important work of CTV and MOVE 100’s Toy Mountain. New and unwrapped toys will be accepted along the parade route or at any fire station in Ottawa. 

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Location and route: The route starts at Elgin and Laurier, then heads west to Bank, and south to TD Place in Lansdowne Park. 

Northeastern Ontario

Timmins Santa Claus Parade

Not only is the Timmins Santa Claus Parade the largest event in the community, but it’s also the largest Santa Claus parade in the region, attracting over 10,000 spectators annually. 

This year’s theme is “Musical Notes and Holiday Floats!” More than 50 parade entries are expected with over 1,000 people volunteering and participating. The parade route passes several shops in Timmins—stop by for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at a café to warm yourself up. 

You’ll need a city parking permit to park in a municipal lot near the parade route.

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Location and route: The parade travels along Third Avenue heading west on Wilson Avenue in Timmins. 

Rotary Santa Claus Parade

Enjoy the annual Rotary Santa Claus Parade in Sault Ste. Marie. This festive holiday tradition attracts thousands of spectators each year. 

There is no set theme, so prepare to see an eclectic mix of creative and colourful holiday parade floats on Queen Street.

Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
Location and route: The parade starts at Queen Street East and travels from Church Street to Gore Street in Sault Ste. Marie.

Northwest Ontario

Rotary Annual Santa Claus Parade

Over 20,000 spectators are swept up by the holiday spirit each year as they watch beautifully designed floats resonating with Christmas music travelling through the streets of Thunder Bay. 

Public on-street parking is available near the parade route.

Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
Location and route: Starts at the Superstore on Harbour Expressway, then travels north along Memorial Avenue and ends at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.