Ho-Ho-Hooray for Santa! The 2014 Ottawa and Eastern Ontario parade list is back!

Edited to add: Click this link for the 2018 Santa Claus and holiday parade info!

Welcome to one of my favourite holiday traditions: the annual round-up of Christmas, Holiday and Santa Claus parades for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario! Can you believe I’ve been doing this for NINE YEARS?

I feel a little bit like Costco selling its Christmas trees in July by putting up a blog post about Christmas when Halloween has barely slipped from our consciousness, but the first parades are a mere two weeks away. One breath and we’re all golden leaves and pumpkins, and then you blink and it’s ho-ho-ho and shovel the driveway! Here’s all the info I could scare up about 2014 Santa Claus parade line-up, in chronological order:

Kanata Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 15, starting at 10:00 am. The parade will proceed onto Castlefrank Road, turning onto Abbeyhill Drive and on to Hazeldean Mall. Join Santa after the parade with pictures at noon and crafts and entertainment for those in line.

Kemptville Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 15. Details pending!

Cornwall Santa Claus Parade
Saturday November 15, starting at 5:00 pm from St. Lawrence Intermediate School 1450, Second Street East. It will then proceed west to the Canadian Legion Branch 297. The theme for the 43rd Annual Parade is An Olde Fashioned Christmas.

Ottawa Help Santa Toy Parade
Saturday, November 22 starting at 11 am. The parade starts at the National Archives on Wellington street, heads east on Wellington Street and then turns right on Bank Street. It continues south on Bank Street then turns left on Laurier Avenue. New toys (no used toys, please) and cash donations will be collected by the Ottawa Firefighters.

Clarence Rockland Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, November 23, starting at 4:30 pm.

Barrhaven Lions Club Light Up the Night Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, November 23, starting at 5:30 pm. The parade runs down Strandherd Drive, starting at Beatrice Drive and ending at the park n ride, where it turns north for dispersal. Please remember to bring non perishable food items or cash donations for the needy. We will collect these items along the parade route.

Gatineau Santa Claus Parade
Friday, November 28, starting at 7:00 pm. A tradition that goes back several years, this light-filled parade that departs from the Aylmer marina and attracts crowds from the entire region.

Brockville Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 29, starting at 2:00 pm. This year’s theme is “White Christmas”. Canada is proudly known for its white winters. Come and share your idea of a White Christmas with our community. The Brockville Rotary Santa Claus Parade will start at North Augusta Road and Pearl Street then travel West on Pearl Street E. to Park Street, South on Park Street and lastly, West on King Street to Gilmore Street. During this year’s parade, volunteers will be collecting non-perishable foods from the viewers in support of The Brockville Food Bank and as donations during the Harvest Sharing Drive were down over last year at this time, we ask that everyone give generously.

Carleton Place Santa Parade
Saturday, November 29 starting at 5:00 pm.

Pembroke Santa Claus Parade of Lights
Saturday, November 29 starting at 5:30 pm. This year’s theme is “A REEL Christmas at the movies!” Parade runs from Moncion’s grocers through historic downtown Pembroke to L’Equinox School. Bring your hand bells to share your appreciation for the floats and non-perishable foot items in support of the Salvation Army food bank.

Orleans Parade of Lights
Saturday, November 29 starting at 6:00 pm. Once again the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association will be hosting Santa’s Parade of Lights on St-Joseph Blvd. in Orleans. Toy and cash donations will be collected by firefighters along the route.

Arnprior Parade
Saturday, November 29 starting at 6:00 pm. After the Santa Claus Parade all participants and spectators are invited to the Legion. A special visitor may appear so that you may share your special Christmas wishes!

Stittsville Parade of Lights 2014
Saturday, November 29 starting at 6:00 pm. The SVA’s annual Parade of Lights is a community favourite, drawing thousands of spectators along the parade route. Each year, dozens of beautifully decorated community floats set the tone for Santa’s much anticipated arrival at the end of the parade.The parade runs along Stittsville Main from Carp Rd. to Carleton Cathcart. Merry makers are also encouraged to stay for the lighting of Village Square Park, and to share in some hot chocolate.

Embrun Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 29 starting at 6:30 pm on Notre Dame Street

Russell Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, November 30 starting at 1:00 pm. The parade will depart from the Russell Arena at 1pm, down Concession Street to Mill Street, left on Mill Street to Castor Street, left on Castor Street to First Avenue, right on First Avenue and return back to Arena via Maple Street.Everyone is invited to join Santa and Mrs. Claus upstairs at the Arena where the Lions Club will be serving Hot Chocolate and Goodies. Members of the Russell Fire Department will be collecting food and cash donations for the Russell Township Foodbank on route.

Spencerville Starlight Parade
Friday, December 5, starting at 7:00 pm.Bundle up and watch the Starlight Parade as it winds throughout town. Watch for elves, and the man in red at the end of the Parade! Please bring a non-perishable food item for Spirit of Giving.

Vankleek Hill Christmas Parade of Lights
Friday, December 5 – start time to be confirmed. Enjoy the floats and then have the kids photographed with Santa. Fun for everyone, whether you’re a child… or a kid at heart!

Manotick Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, starting at 1:00 pm. Parade runs from the Manotick Arena and then south down Manotick Main Street. This is our favourite of the season! 😉

Constance & Buckhams Bay Santa Clause Parade
Saturday, December 6, starting at 1:00 pm. Floats gather on Baillie Ave and proceed along Bayview to Len Purcell and wind up at the community centre for hot dogs, Santa, and hot chocolate. Be sure to check out the Christmas Craft Fair. Bring your non-perishable food item for the West Carleton Food Bank.

Richmond Village Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 6, starting at 4:00 pm. Parade runs from Perth St, south on McBean St, then left on Burke St. Later that night at 6 pm, enjoy the annual “Lighting of the Park.”

Renfrew Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, time to be confirmed. For decades the Renfrew Lions Club has hosted the annual Santa Claus Parade, running from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School on the west end of town, down Stewart and Raglan streets to the Renfrew Armouries where children meet, and get treats from, Santa. Other local parades are held in Calabogie, Douglas, Cobden and Eganveille.

Pakenham Country Christmas
Saturday December 6, time to be confirmed.

Osgoode Santa Parade
Saturday December 6, time to be confirmed.

Perth and District Children’s Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 6, starting at 5:00 pm. Parade leaves Sunset Blvd. and makes its way south through Town (Wilson to Gore) with thousands of sparkling lights, Christmas music and favourite characters. A very special way to welcome in the Christmas season in Perth!

DÉFILÉ DU PÈRE NOËL de Hawkesbury
Saturday December 6, starting at 7:00 pm. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of this beautiful tradition which will unravel on Hawkesbury’s Main Street.

Almonte Santa Claus Parade
Sunday December 7, time to be confirmed. Don’t mis this stunning Christmas night parade along the streets of Downtown Almonte – followed by Hotdogs, hot chocolate and Public skating at the Community Centre.

Casselman Christmas Parade
Sunday December 7 at 6 pm.

Carp Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 13, starting at 12:00 pm. Parade route starts at The Diefenbunker – 3911 Carp Road and follows Carp Road to Juanita Street to Langstaff Drive turning right on Donald B. Munro Drive to Carp Road finishing at the Diefenbunker.

Eganville Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, December 14, starting at 1:00 pm. The Parade starts from Eganville Distrist Public School and ends at the Eganville Legion. Everyone is invited after the parade to visit Santa and children will receive a treat bag. The theme for this year’s parade is: “Home for the Holidays – Travel Theme”.

Metcalfe Santa Claus Parade and Food Drive
Sunday, December 14, starting at 2:00 pm.

Missing this year: At the time of publication in early November, I wasn’t able to find information about Carp, Smiths Falls, Russell Village, Clarence-Rockland, Ganonoque, Embrun or Casselman. (And how much do I love communities that use the same URL to update their parade info every year?!!) If you have any information about these communities or others not mentioned above, please let me know and I’ll update the post throughout the season.

And don’t fret if you can’t make it to the parade – how about one of these other fun family events with a holiday theme in our region?

Vintage Village of Lights
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 29 through December 21 from 3 pm to 8 pm, visit the Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Vintage Village of Lights. You don’t have to drive out of Ottawa anymore to experience a village of lights! The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum will pull out all the stops to make your visit magical with 30,000 Christmas lights, decorations everywhere, gigantic reindeer and sleigh and – of course! – a visit with Santa Claus in his work shop! Have fun sledding, playing broomball or street hockey, making a snow globe, decorating gingerbread, and sending your Christmas wish list to Santa via telegram. Cost: Regular admission

2014 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train hits the rails again in November, visiting over 150 communities. Since the program’s inception back in 1999, more than $7.4 million and over 3 million pounds of food has been collected in Canada and the United States. The goal of the Holiday Train is to collect food and money for local food banks and to raise awareness in the fight against hunger. At each event, the Holiday Train provides a box car stage, a line up of great musical talents and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. The community, in turn, is encouraged to donate food and funds, all of which stays in the community. Local stops include Merrickville and Smiths Falls on November 28 and then Trenton, Belleville and Brighton on November 29. Check this link for more details on the schedule.

Alexandria Festival of Lights
November 29 to December 31, 2014 from 5 to 10 pm each night. This is a community event that not only brings forth colorful trees but unique and individual displays from businesses, schools, and local organizations. There is no entrance fee into the festival for either the exhibitors or the public. Events include wagon rides, pictures with Santa and a scavenger hunt, plus fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Christmas Lights Across Canada: December 3, 2014 to early January 2015
Each year, the National Capital Commission coordinates the Christmas Lights Across Canada program. Join the opening ceremonies on Parliament Hill on December 3, 2014 at 7 p.m. for the Christmas Lights Across Canada Illumination Ceremony.The Christmas Lights program was launched in 1985 to brighten the Ottawa winter, and at first the lights were only on Parliament Hill, but over the years the program expanded. Now, Ottawa and Gatineau glow each winter with more than 300,000 Christmas lights at over 60 sites along Confederation Boulevard. The program also includes all 13 provincial and territorial capitals, making it Christmas Lights Across Canada. Here’s my shivery, embarrassingly amateur video of the 2006 lighting ceremony (you can see why I’m a photographer and not a videographer!!)

Upper Canada Village: Alight at Night
Bundle up for an evening stroll through this picture-perfect postcard setting! With close to one million lights adorning the heritage buildings, trees and fences of Upper Canada Village creating a one-of-a-kind magical backdrop for its annual Alight at Night Festival…a true winter wonderland! Times and dates vary, so check the link for details.

Manotick’s Olde Fashioned Christmas
Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7. The Village is transformed into a Village of Yesteryear. There will be a Victorian Tea and Penny Sale, horse-drawn wagon rides, pictures with Santa, face painting, strolling carollers and more.

Ian’s Christmas Adventure Park
If you’re looking to make a family adventure out of selecting and cutting down the perfect Christmas tree, Ian’s Evergreen Plantation Christmas Adventure Park has way more than just trees: mazes, a hay barn, wagon rides, Santa’s Workshop, real live reindeer and much more. We got our very first “non-artificial” tree there a few years ago – you can read about it here. They’re open daily starting November 29.

Victorian Christmas at Fairfields Heritage House
December 7 from 1 pm to 4 pm. This family-friendly event harkens back to a simpler time in history when decorations were homemade and families rejoiced in the beauty of carolling together. A guided tour will highlight family Christmas traditions from the era, carollers will be music to your ears, and workshops to make popcorn string, cornucopias, and Christmas tree ornaments make sure you’ll have a keepsake of the day to bring home with you. Cost: $6/person, $10/pair, $16/family

Christmas Tea at the Billings Estate National Historic Site
December 7 and 14 from 11 am to 4 pm. The holidays are the perfect time for indulgences, wouldn’t you agree? Christmas Tea this year introduces you to the imported decadences of the Victorian era when such treats and toys were hard to come by. With carollers, ornament-making workshops, and traditional Victorian Christmas decorations, you can spend a Sunday treating yourself during this hectic time of the year. Admission to the museum is free with tea service purchase. Regular tea room prices apply: $12.50 + tax per person for 3-tier service. Reservations are strongly recommended. A limited number of walk-ins will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Noël at Nepean Museum
December 14 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Explore some of Nepean’s local landmarks while satisfying your sweet tooth during an afternoon of making gingerbread houses! Help recreate some of Nepean’s notable houses and civic structures like the home of A.N. Dunnings, Maplelawn, Ben Franklin Place, and the Nepean Sportsplex. And if you’re nice, Santa may even stop in for a visit. Cost: $6/person, $10/pair, $16/family

Edwardian Séance at Billings Estate National Historic Site
December 19 from 7 pm to 9:30 pm. Séances aren’t just for Halloween! They were actually very popular at Christmas during the Victorian and Edwardian eras as a way to connect, during this very special time of the year, with a loved one who had passed. Sign up soon as these séances are super popular and sell out fast!
Cost: $30/person. Registration required. Adults only, please.

If I’ve missed anything, or if you’d like to share information about your family-friendly Ottawa Christmas or Holiday event, please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me at danicanada (at) gmail (dot) com and I’d be happy to add them to this (now epic!) post.

How many parades will YOU attend this year?