The Original Toronto Santa Claus Parade

Santa has been visiting downtown Toronto since 1905 to spread holiday cheer with the Original Santa Claus Parade! As usual, he’ll be joined by Mrs. Claus, the Celebrity Clowns, marching bands, and spectacular floats. The Parade is a magical start to the holiday season, and a wonderful way to spread hope and joy to everyone in the community, regardless of their background. Gather your family and friends, and head downtown together to experience that feeling of excitement and merriment when Santa calls out, “Ho! Ho! Ho!”

• When: Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 12:30 pm      
• Where: The parade begins at Christie Pits and travels east on Bloor St, turns right on Spadina Ave to head south, then turns left and goes further east along Harbord St & Hoskin Ave to Queen’s Park. The parade will travel around the east side of Queen’s Park and continue south on University Ave, turn left to go east on Wellington St W, head south down Yonge St, and then turn left on Front St to end at St. Lawrence Market.
• Cost: FREE!
• Get There With GO: Travel by GO train or bus to Union Station. From Union Station, you can walk just a little east on Front Street to watch near the end of the parade route, or you can use TTC to get to your preferred viewing location. For the dedicated Accessibility Viewing Area, take the TTC to Queen’s Park Station.

Important Service Updates for November 26th, 2023

Lakeshore East

Westbound to Union:

Trains that normally depart Durham College Oshawa GO at 12:36 and 13:36 will depart four minutes earlier from all stops.

Eastbound toward Oshawa:

Trains that normally depart Union Station at 15:48 and 16:48 will depart four minutes later from all stops.

Reminder: If you’re travelling through to the Lakeshore West line, please note that there is half-hourly service between Union Station and Oakville, and hourly service between Oakville and West Harbour GO all day in both directions for construction. Some eastbound and westbound trip times will be adjusted, with some trains departing up to four minutes earlier.  Additionally, some Niagara Falls trips will also be adjusted.

Lakeshore West

Between approximately 11:00 and 16:30, there will be hourly service between Oakville GO and Aldershot GO. Trains will run every half hour between Union Station and Oakville all day. 

Some trip times will be adjusted, with some trains departing up to two minutes earlier. 

Some Niagara Falls trips will also be adjusted:  

• The 12:04 p.m. and 4:04 p.m. trains from Niagara Falls will be adjusted to depart two minutes earlier at 12:02 p.m. and 4:02 p.m. 

• The 8:20 p.m. train from Niagara Falls will be adjusted to depart two minutes earlier at 8:18 p.m. from Niagara Falls and St Catharines VIA.

Milton

There will be a train leaving Milton GO station at 10:59, making all stops to Union Station, and a train leaving Union at 16:55 to take you home after the parade.

If you choose to take the bus to meet a Lakeshore West train, please note that between approximately 11:00 and 16:30, there will be hourly service between Oakville GO and Aldershot GO. Trains will run every half hour between Union Station and Oakville all day. Some trip times will be adjusted, with some trains departing up to two minutes earlier. Additionally, some Niagara Falls trips will also be adjusted.

Route 21:

• Customers on eastbound Route 21A trips will have an eight-minute connection to Lakeshore West trains at Oakville GO instead of the usual 9 minutes.

• Customers on westbound Lakeshore West trains will have a three-minute connection to westbound Route 21A trips at Oakville GO instead of the usual 4 minutes. These trips have a hold note and may be required to hold slightly longer for customer connections.

We encourage you to plan your trip here as our schedules change frequently or you can also use our trip planner.

Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade

Santa will be stopping by Niagara Falls on November 18 for the Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade! Winter and holiday-themed floats will delight all ages and get everyone in the holly jolly spirit. The parade route ends at Niagara Falls City Hall, which is just a 7-minute walk from Niagara Falls GO Station. Be sure to stick around there after the parade for the tree lighting ceremony and an opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hot chocolate and live entertainment will top off your fun and festive day!

• When: Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 3:30 pm
• Tree lighting ceremony at 5:15 pm
• Santa Meet & Greet from 5:30 - 6:30 pm
• Where: The parade will begin at Victoria Ave and Armoury Street. It will travel north along Victoria Ave, turning right onto Valley Way, then right onto Queen Street, ending at Niagara Falls City Hall.
• Cost: FREE!
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore West line to Niagara Falls GO Station. Walk south down Erie Ave to Queen St and you’ll be at City Hall, or continue west along Queen St to find your preferred viewing spot.

Markham Santa Claus Parade

The theme for the 49th annual Markham-Rotary Santa Claus Parade is “Create Hope in the World”. Santa will be there, of course, along with 100+ floats and marching bands, to spread holiday cheer and community spirit. Bring the whole family and come celebrate the warmth and magic of the season in Markham!

• When: Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 11:00 am
• Where: Main Street Markham, going north from Hwy 7 to 16th Ave
• Cost: FREE!
• Get There With GO: Take the Stouffville line to Markham GO Station. When you step outside the station, you’ll be right on the parade route! You can also take GO to Mount Joy GO Station and then walk south down Main St to find a good viewing spot.

Whitby Santa Claus Parade

For over 50 years, the first Saturday of December means one thing in Whitby — Santa Claus is coming to town! The Whitby Santa Claus Parade returns again with over 50 local organizations showing their holiday spirit and bringing festive cheer to the community. Non-perishable food donations are welcomed, and don’t forget to bring your letters to Santa!

• When: Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10:00 am     
• Where: The parade will begin at the intersection of Brock St N and Manning Rd. It will travel south down Brock St and end at the intersection of Brock St S and Trent St.
• Cost: FREE!
• Get There With GO: Take the Lakeshore East line to Whitby GO Station and walk north up Brock St South to find a good viewing spot.

Khalsa Day Parade

Mark the beginning of the Sikh New Year at the annual Khalsa Day Parade in Toronto! It’s one of the largest parades in Canada and a great way to connect with your community and celebrate Sikh culture. The parade begins at Exhibition Place and travels along the Lakeshore, ending at Nathan Phillips Square, where the festivities continue with food and fun. Everyone is welcome to share in the Khalsa Day celebrations, regardless of background or religion.