Santa Claus parades across Canada

Find out when the parade is on in your town and bring the whole family to take part in the Christmas tradition:

VICTORIA

Island Farms Santa Light Parade
 
Where: Corner of Government & Fisgard
Government & Fisgard, Victoria, BC
When: Sat., Nov. 18, 2006 5:30 PM
Cost: free

Location(s): Downtown Victoria along Government Street between Belleville and Chatham Streets. 5:30 pm start. Coloured lights with over 50 entries in this evening holiday parade. Also includes the collection of food bags for local Mustard Seed Food Bank.

VANCOUVER

3rd Annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade
 
Where: Georgia and Howe Streets
When: Sun., Nov. 19, 2006 1:00 PM
Cost: free 

With more than 50 different bands, floats and community groups, the 3rd Annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade will take place Sun Nov 19th. Parade will follow along Georgia and Howe Streets.

Annual Hyack Santa Claus Parade
 
Where: Westminster Quay
235-810 Quayside Drive, New Westminster, BC
(604) 520 - 1776
When: Sat., Dec. 2, 2006 12:00 PM
Cost: free 

Enjoy floats, music and Santa himself along the street of New Westminister.

EDMONTON

Jingle On Indoor Santa Clause Parade and Holiday Light -Up

Where: Downtown Business Association of Edmonton
10121 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB
(780) 424 - 4085
When: Sun., Nov. 26, 2006 12:00 PM
Cost: free
Info: http:/ / www.edmontondowntown.com

Kick off the holiday season with the Indoor Santa Claus Parade and Holiday Light Up! Families of all ages begin the day with the Indoor Santa Claus Parade. Mascots, dancing groups, marching bands and floats wind their way through over 1 kilometer of pedway system in downtown's major shopping centres. Afternoon festivities continue with great holiday shopping in Edmonton City Centre, family activities in the Arts District, and entertainment in and around Sir Winston Churchill Square, including hay rides and hot cocoa! The fun continues into the evening as Sir Winston Churchill Square comes alive with the sights and sounds of the Christmas season. Singing groups and family entertainment delight the crowd until Santa and his little helpers arrive to officially "light up" downtown and launch a spectacular fireworks display!

CALGARY

Santa Clause Parade
 
Where: Calgary Downtown Association
720, 304-8th Ave. SW,, Calgary, AB
2151570
When: Sat., Nov. 18, 2006 12:00 PM
Cost: free
Info: info@downtowncalgary.com
 
Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
Get all the family and friends together and head downtown for the annual Santa Claus Parade. Running east along 8 Avenue between 8 Street SW and 1 Street SE, this year's parade will last about 45 minutes and features lots of marching bands, floats and, of course, Santa heading up the rear. It's not just a parade! Take part in the parade day activities that include a Stampede-style pancake breakfast, carols and hot chocolate, skating after the parade and more. The Calgary Parking Authority is collecting donations for the Inter-Faith Food Bank on Parade Day at the City Centre Parkade. Please give generously and bring your donations with you. Free Parking: City Centre Parkade. Enter via 10th Ave at 3th St. S.W. or 9 Ave and 2 St. (prior to 11:45 a.m.).

REGINA

Southland's 21st Annual Santa Parade

Where: Albert St and 25th Ave
n/a, Regina, SK
When: Sun., Nov. 19, 2006 12:30 PM
Cost: free 

Southland's Annual Santa Parade includes floats, bands, dancers, community groups, walkers and Santa. The parade starts at 12:30pm and travels South on Albert St from 25th Ave to the Southland Mall.

SASKATOON

16th Annual Santa Claus Parade
 
Where: 19th St and 3rd Ave
n/a, Saskatoon, SK
When: Sun., Nov. 19, 2006 1:00 PM
Parade starts at 1pm on the corner of 19th St and 3rd Ave
Cost: free 
Info: www.midtownplaza.ca

The 16th Annual Santa Claus Parade begins in downtown Saskatoon at the corner of 19th St and 3rd Ave, follows 3rd Ave to 23rd St, over to 1st Ave, and down 1st Ave to 20th St and the Midtown Plaza.

WINNIPEG

The Manitoba Hydro Grey Cup Parade
 
Where: Various Downtown Locations
n/a, Winnipeg, MB
When: Sat., Nov. 18, 2006 4:00 PM
Cost: free 

The Parade will include float entries from across Canada, entertainers for families and fans, a special appearance by Santa Claus and fireworks at the Forks after the Parade. Manitoba Hydro, JCI Winnipeg (Winnipeg Jaycees) and the Grey Cup Festival have partnered to create a Manitoba Hydro Grey Cup Parade which will replace the traditional Power Smart Santa Claus Parade this year. Donations will be accepted along the way by the Purolator Courier Tackle Hunger Program volunteers for Winnipeg Harvest.

WINDSOR

38th Annual Windsor Santa Claus Parade
 
Where: The Windsor Parade Corporation
1168 Drouillard Road, Windsor, ON
(519) 254 - 2880
When: Sat., Dec. 2, 2006 6:00 PM
Sat., Dec. 2, 6 p.m.
Cost: free 

Bands from Michigan, Ohio, and Ontario are sure to entertain the entire family in a nightime spectacle that features inflatables, floats, performance troups, and of course, Santa Claus. Tonight, 6 p.m., Ouellette Avenue between Giles and University, Windsor. Visit www.santaparade.org or phone 519-254-2880 for more information. 

HAMILTON

Santa Claus Parade
 
Where: Gore Park
1 Hughson St S, Hamilton, ON
(905) 546 - 3747
When: Sat., Nov. 18, 2006 2:00 PM
To: 4:00 PM
Cost: free
Info: www.hamiltonsantaparade.com 

TORONTO

102nd Annual Santa Claus Parade

Where: in the streets of Toronto
When: Sun., Nov. 19, 2006 12:30 PM
To: 2:00 PM
Cost: free 
Info: www.thesantaclausparade.com

Click here for a map of the parade route. For more information, click here to go to our Santa Claus Parade section.

OTTAWA

Help Santa Toy Parade
 
Where: Ottawa City Hall
110 Laurier Ave. W., Ottawa, ON
(613) 580 - 2400
When: Sat., Nov. 18, 2006 11:00 AM
Nov. 18, 11 a.m.
Cost: free 

The 'Help Santa Toy Parade' is celebrating its 37th anniversary. Every year, the Fire Fighters' Association has been organizing the event and collecting toys along the parade route for distribution to the less fortunate children in Ottawa-Carleton, today, 11 a.m. Route starts from Ottawa City Hall and runs down Laurier to Bank Street to Lansdowne Park.

MONTREAL

Promenade Ontario Santa Claus Parade
 
Where: Montreal Olympic Tower, the
4141 Pierre de Coubertin St., Montreal, QC
(514) 252 - 4141
When: Fri., Nov. 10, 2006 7:30 PM
Departure from the Olympic Tower at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: call for info (514) 522-6581 
Info: www.promenade-ontario.com

An evening parade including floats, marching bands, mascots, majorettes and gigantic inflatable characters. Presented by the Promenade Ontario business owners and the R?gie des installations olympiques.

Santa Claus Parade
 
Where: In the streets of Montreal
Downtown Montreal, Montreal, QC
When: Sat., Nov. 18, 2006 11:00 AM
Cost: free 

Come out and meet Santa during his annual parade along Ste-Catherine Street! Have you been naughty or nice? Santa and his elves may have some surprises for you! **Along Ste-Catherine Street between Du Fort and Saint-Urbain Streets**

HALIFAX

Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights
 
Where: In the streets
Halifax, Halifax, NS
When: Sat., Nov. 18, 2006 6:00 PM
Cost: free 

The 11th annual Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights will begin on Barrington Street at 6pm, featuring floats, majorettes, marching bands, musical performances by Louisa Manuel and John Gracie... and a most special guest... Santa! The parade route begins on Barrington Street by Upper Water, turns up Spring Garden Road, along South Park Street, over to University Avenue past the children’s hospital and ends at Robie Street. The parade is organized by the Downtown Halifax Business Commission.

Hartson S. Dowd                                                                                                          hsdowd@telus.net