MARKHAM – Every November, families across the GTA can be found checking their wish lists in anticipation of the local Santa Claus Parade. This treasured Canadian tradition has been taking place in downtown Toronto for 109 years.
It wasn’t long before cities and towns such as Markham and Mississauga joined in on the fun with their own versions of the Santa Claus parade. Nowadays, it’s a true community event, bringing neighbours together to enjoy some carols, floats and holiday cheer.
This year, Santa Claus Parades across the GTA will be kicking off as early as the second week of November. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a breakdown of this year’s location and timing for popular parades throughout the GTA.
CENTRAL
Toronto Santa Claus Parade (Downtown)
DATE: Sunday, November 17, 2013
PARADE STARTS: 12:30 PM
ROUTE: Parade will start at Bloor and Bathurst, working its way east on Bloor and turning right at Avenue Road. The parade makes a final turn onto Front Street, heading east to St. Lawrence Market.
NORTH
Markham Santa Claus Parade
DATE: Saturday, November 30, 2013
PARADE STARTS: 11:00 AM
ROUTE: “Proceeds north on Markham road from Hwy 7 to 16th Avenue.”
Newmarket Santa Claus Parade
DATE: Saturday, November 16, 2013
PARADE STARTS: 11:00 AM
ROUTE: “The parade starts at 11 a.m. at the corner of Eagle Street and Lorne Avenue and proceeds east on Eagle Street to Main Street, north on Main Street to Ontario St.”
Richmond Hill Santa Claus Parade
DATE: Sunday, November 24, 2013
TIME: 1:30 PM.
ROUTE: “The parade takes place on Yonge Street beginning at Industrial Road and ending at Hillcrest.”
“SantaFest” in Maple
DATE: Sunday, November 24, 2013
TIME: 2:00 PM
ROUTE: Parade will move along Major Mackenzie Drive, from Highway 400 to the Civic Centre (just east of Keele).
WEST
Mississauga Santa Claus Parade (Streetsville)
DATE: Sunday, November 24, 2013
PARADE STARTS: 1:00 PM
ROUTE: According to the official web site, “the parade starts at Queen Street and Britannia Road in Streetsville and goes south on Queen Street, ending at Old Station Road.”
23rd Etobicoke Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade
DATE: Saturday, December 7, 2013
PARADE STARTS: 10:00 AM
ROUTE: “Starts at Dwight Ave. (1 block west of Royal York), travels west along Lakeshore Blvd. W., and ends at Thirty Sixth St. (Just before Browns Line).”
Weston Santa Claus Parade
DATE: Sunday, December 1, 2013
PARADE STARTS: 2:00 PM
ROUTE: “Parade begins at Weston and Church Street and proceeds south on Weston Road ending at Sidney Belsey Crescent.”
