Santa Claus parades in Ontario 2026
Santa parades are the perfect way to bring families and communities together for the holidays. Enjoy whimsical floats, local entertainment and special guests, including Santa, at Ontario’s family-friendly Christmas parades.
Most parades take place rain, snow or shine, so bundle up in warm clothes, hats, gloves and scarves and consider bringing chairs and blankets. Several events support local food banks by collecting non-perishable food and toy donations. Public transit is highly recommended when possible.
Here’s a list of some of the best Santa Claus parades in Ontario.
Greater Toronto Area
The Original Toronto Santa Claus Parade
One of the world’s oldest Christmas parades, the Santa Claus Parade in Toronto delights and entertains thousands of spectators. Witness dazzling parade floats, bands, marchers and Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who will close out the celebration.
When: November 22, 2026
Parade route and details: The parade starts at 12:30 p.m. 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 Jarvis Street near the St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto. View the parade route map.
Mississauga Santa Claus Parade
Mississauga embraces the winter season with the annual Santa Claus parade, the opening of the city’s largest outdoor ice rink and the Christmas tree lighting. This year’s theme is “Sauga’s Home of the Holidays.”
When: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: Check back for parade route and event details.
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.
When: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 5:00 p.m. at Central Park Drive and Bramalea Road, travels north along Bramalea Road, east along North Park Drive and ends at Jordan Boulevard in Brampton.
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 is lots to see.
When: December 5, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 6:00 p.m. at Ninth Line and Main Street, travels along Main Street and ends at Park Drive in Whitchurch-Stouffville.
Oshawa Santa Claus Parade
The Oshawa Santa Claus Parade features incredible floats and Santa Claus will make a special appearance.
When: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 6:30 p.m. at Gibbons Street and King Street West, travels east along King Street West and ends at Division Street in Oshawa.
The Newcastle Santa Parade
The Newcastle Santa Parade includes marching bands and beautiful light-up floats. A fireworks display at 5:30 p.m. marks the start of the parade.
When: November 15, 2026
Parade route and details: The parade travels along King Avenue West to Arthur/Brookhouse Street in Newcastle.
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
KW Santa Claus Parade
The KW Santa Claus Parade features almost a hundred floats. This popular event draws crowds, so arrive early to get a spot near the start of the parade route.
When: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: The parade starts at 10:00 a.m. and travels along Weber Street from Frederick in Kitchener to Erb Street in Waterloo.
Arthur Santa Claus Parade
“Elves Gone Wild!” is the theme for this year’s event, featuring floats and festive music.
When: November 28, 2026
Parade route and details: The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and takes place along Main Street, Arthur. Head to the Arthur Firehall after the parade for hot drinks, snacks and a visit with Santa.
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Hamilton Santa Claus Parade
Three permanent floats—Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the famous Frosty the Snowman—are the highlight of this annual event.
When: November 14, 2026
Parade route and details: The parade begins at 2:00 p.m. at Upper Sherman Avenue and Acadia Road, 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 south side of the parking lot in Hamilton.
Burlington Santa Claus Parade
The Burlington Santa Claus Parade features floats, marching bands and costumed characters, including Santa Claus. Letter carriers will walk along the parade route to collect your letters for Santa.
When: December 6, 2026
Parade route and details: Travels along New Street, north on Brant Street and ends near Blairholme Avenue in Burlington.
Oakville Santa Claus Parade
This annual Oakville event celebrates the joy of winter and brings the season’s magic to the community with festive activities.
When: November 14, 2026
Parade route and details: From Lakeshore Road East and Robinson Street, the parade travels west along Lakeshore Road, north along Kerr Street, then west along Stewart Street in Oakville.
Milton Santa Claus Parade
This year’s parade theme is “Your Favourite Christmas Stories,” so get ready to relive beloved storybooks and characters on Main Street.
When: November 15, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 1:30 p.m. on Main Street West and Whitmer Street, travels east along Main Street West and ends at the Milton GO Station in Milton.
Niagara Region
Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade
The Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade boasts an impressive lineup of special guests and entertainment, ending at Centennial Square with a tree-lighting ceremony.
When: November 14, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 4:00 p.m. on Victoria Avenue and Armoury Street, north on Victoria, then travels along Valley Way and down Queen Street to City Hall in Niagara Falls.
Grimsby Santa Claus Parade
The theme for the 69th parade is “Christmas Night of Lights” and will include floats, walking groups, marching bands and entertainment.
When: December 6, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 5:15 p.m. from Blessed Spirit Secondary School, travels east along Livingston Avenue and Main Street and ends at the Ontario Street intersection in downtown Grimsby.
Ottawa Region
Help Santa Toy Parade
Santa and his friends are returning 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.
When: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: Begins at 11:00 a.m. on Queen Elizabeth Driveway at Summerset Street West, travels south on Queen Elizabeth Driveway and ends at Lansdowne Park and TD Place in Ottawa.
Southeastern Ontario
Belleville Nighttime Santa Claus Parade
Get in the holiday spirit with illuminated floats, lighting displays and holiday characters. Letters for Santa will be collected by the Rotary Club of Belleville.
When: November 22, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at Bridge and Sidney Street, travels east along Bridge Street and ends at Bridge and Herchimer in Belleville.
Port Hope Santa Claus Parade
Port Hope embraces the season with live music, parade floats and displays from the local community for this year’s event themed Retro Rewind.
When: November 28, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 1:00 p.m. at Ridout Street, travels along Walton Street and Queen Street to Town Hall in Port Hope.
Trenton Santa Claus Parade
Beautifully decorated and illuminated community-made parade floats are showcased at the Trenton Santa Claus Parade.
When: November 29, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 4:30 p.m. 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
Powered by local volunteers, the London Santa Claus Parade has run since 1956. This year’s parade theme is “Canadian Christmas” and will include parade floats, musical entertainment and of course, Santa Claus.
When: November 14, 2026
Parade route and details: The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. from Dundas Street and Ontario Street, travels west along Dundas and ends at Ridout Street North and Dundas Street in London.
Woodstock Santa Claus Parade
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with holiday-themed floats, marching bands and inflatables and Mr. and Mrs. Claus. This year’s theme is “Home for the Holidays: 125 Years of Woodstock.”
Date: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: The parade departs at 6:00 p.m. from the Woodstock Fairgrounds at Nellis Street and travels down McKenzie Street, heading west along Dundas Street. It turns right onto Light Street and ends at Victoria Park.
Grey, Bruce and Simcoe
Wasaga Beach Santa Claus Parade
The Wasaga Beach Santa Claus tradition includes holiday tunes, treats and the town’s annual tree lighting ceremony in Oakview Woods Gazebo.
When: November 28, 2026
Parade route and details: The event starts at 5:00 p.m. on Dunkerron Avenue and ends at the RecPlex Community Centre on Mosley Street.
Barrie Santa Claus Parade
Kick off the holiday season at the annual Barrie Santa Claus Parade. The theme “Holiday Sweets and Treats” promises to be a delicious event. Watch floats, marching bands and festive decorations. After the parade, enjoy the tree-lighting ceremony, free downtown concert and fireworks display.
When: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: Begins at 5:00 p.m. on Lakeshore Drive and Tiffin Street, travels north to Toronto Street, then east along Dunlop Street and ends at Poyntz Street in Barrie.
Kawarthas and Northumberland
Annual Santa Claus Parade
Ring in the holiday season with the 51st annual Kinsmen Club of Peterborough Santa Claus Parade, themed “It’s a Winter Wonderland.”
When: December 5, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 5:00 p.m. at Peterborough City Hall and continues south along George Street toward Morrow Park in Peterborough.
Lindsay Santa Claus Parade
See holiday floats, bands and vehicles travel through the heart of downtown Lindsay.
When: November 22, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 2:00 p.m. at the Recreation Complex on Adelaide Street South, travels north on Adelaide Street to Kent Street, then continues east down Kent Street to Lindsay Street.
Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley
Haliburton Village Santa Claus Parade
Enjoy an evening of bright lights, cheerful music and holiday joy, under the theme of “Christmas Around the World.”
When: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 6:30 p.m. at the corner of Pine Street and Highland Street and travels west along Highland Street to York Street in Haliburton.
Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound
Gravenhurst Santa Claus Parade
Gravenhurst’s historic downtown provides the perfect winter backdrop for the annual Santa Claus Parade and Christmas festivities.
When: November 28, 2026
Parade route and details: The parade starts at Veterans Way, travels north on Muskoka Road South to Muskoka Road North and ends at Peter Street in Gravenhurst.
Northeastern Ontario
Timmins Santa Claus Parade
The theme for this year’s event in Timmins is “Light it up, Christmas!” The parade route passes several shops, so stop for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at a cafe to warm up.
Follow Timmins Santa Claus Parade on Facebook for more information.
When: November 14, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 6:00 p.m., travelling along Third Avenue, heading west on Wilson Avenue in Timmins.
Northwest Ontario
Rotary Annual Santa Claus Parade
Each year, spectators are swept up by the holiday spirit of beautifully designed floats resonating with Christmas music travelling through the streets of Thunder Bay.
When: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: Starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Superstore on Harbour Expressway, travels north along Memorial Avenue and ends at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma
Rotary Santa Claus Parade
This festive holiday tradition features an eclectic mix of creative and colourful holiday parade floats on Queen Street.
When: November 21, 2026
Parade route and details: The parade starts at 5:00 p.m. on Queen Street East and travels from Church Street to Gore Street in Sault Ste. Marie.
From charming small-town celebrations to lively downtown Santa Claus parades, these holiday events bring Ontario communities together and capture the season’s magic.
Last updated: September 24, 2026