Ho- Ho- Hooray for Holiday Parades 2016

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

Welcome to one of my favourite holiday traditions! Welcome to the original and most comprehensive listing of all the Christmas, Holiday and Santa Claus parades for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario and West Quebec.

Can you believe we’ve been doing this post for eleven years? I’m a bit later posting this year’s list, and I can hardly believe that parade season is starting tomorrow! Here’s all the info I could scare up about the 2016 Santa Claus and Christmas parade line-up, in chronological order:

Photo of Santa Claus at the Christmas parade 2013

Kanata Santa Claus Parade
Saturday November 12, 2016 at 10:00. 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.

Ottawa Help Santa Toy Parade
Saturday, November 19 starting at 11:00 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.

Kemptville Kinsmen Santa Parade
Saturday, November 19 starting at 1:00 pm. This year’s theme “A Disney Christmas.” The Parade leaves Holy Cross School Parking Lot and goes East on Clothier Street then turns right into Prescott Street ending at Kemptville College.

Cornwall Santa Claus Parade
Saturday November 19, starting at 5:00 pm. Note the route change this year: the parade will run from St. Lawrence Intermediate School 1450, Second Street East. It will then proceed west.Join us afterward for Santa’s Street Hockey Challenge!

Barrhaven Lions Club Light Up the Night Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, November 20, 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 Barrhaven Food Cupboard.

Brockville Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 26, starting at 2:00 pm. This year’s theme is “A Traditional Chrismas”. The 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. The parade will feature many floats, bands, horses, clowns, community groups, dignitaries and finally the star attraction, Santa himself. During this year’s parade, volunteers will be collecting non-perishable foods from the viewers in support of The Brockville Food Bank and organizers ask that everyone give generously.

Gananoque Santa Parade
Saturday, November 26, starting at 4:30 pm. The parade will depart from the High School on Elizabeth St and will turn onto King St to the Town Park. Santa and a couple of his reindeer will be in the park following the parade to meet with children and to hand out some presents, and to pose for photos. There will also be a couple of the bands staying to entertain us so get your caroling voices tuned up for a fun evening to set the holiday spirit!

Carleton Place Santa Parade
Saturday, November 26 starting at 5:00 pm. This year’s theme is “A Candyland Christmas.” Spectators can assemble anywhere along the parade route from Bridge Street up Lansdowne Avenue.

Pembroke Santa Claus Parade of Lights
Saturday, November 26 starting at 5:30 pm. This year’s theme is “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” 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 26 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 Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 26 starting at 6:00 pm. The parade starts at Winners circle drive and heads down Daniel Street, turns onto Eady Street, then turns on John Street and goes through downtown turning at the Museum and heading back up Daniel Street to Winners Circle. The Arnprior Legion will be collecting non-perishable food items and loose change along the way for the Arnprior Food Bank. Don’t forget to come visit Santa at the Legion after the parade and grab a snack and treat bag.

Stittsville Parade of Lights 2014
Saturday, November 26 starting at 6:00 pm. The 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.

Clarence Rockland Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, November 27, starting at 4:30 pm. Meet Santa after the parade at the Christmas Show at the Knights of Columbus hall from 6:30 until 8:00 pm.

Russell Santa Claus Parade
Sunday, November 27 starting at 4:30 pm.

Osgoode Santa Parade
Saturday, December 3. Grab a seat along Osgoode Main Street and wait for the big guy’s arrival. During the parade, Santa’s helpers will collect “Letters to Santa” and drop them off at Canada Post on behalf of all girls and boys. Don’t forget to bring your canned goods for the “Fill a Truck Challenge“. Parade starts at Nixon and Main and ends in the Foodland parking lot.

Merrickville Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3, starting at 11:00 am. The annual Merrickville Santa Claus Parade, hosted by the Merrickville Volunteer Fire Department Association, will make its way up St. Lawrence Street. Throughout the day, enjoy a petting zoo, broomball tournament, cookie “walk and weigh”, breakfast with Santa and more!

Manotick Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3, 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 & Buckham’s Bay Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 3, starting at 1:00 pm. This year’s theme is “Peanuts; a Charlie Brown Christmas”. The Parade runs along Bayview to Len Purcell and winds up at the community centre around 3pm for hots dogs, Santa, and hot chocolate. Don’t miss the Christmas Craft Fair. Be sure to bring your non-perishable food item for the West Carleton Food Bank.

Richmond Village Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 3, starting at 5:30 pm. Parade runs from Perth St, south on McBean St, then left on Burke St. Later that night at 6:30 pm, enjoy the annual “Lighting of the Park.”

Gatineau Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 3, starting at 6:00 pm. (Note, this is earlier than prior years, and Saturday instead of Friday night.) A tradition that goes back several years, this light-filled parade that departs from the Aylmer marina and attracts crowds from the entire region.

Perth and District Children’s Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 3, starting at 5:00 pm. Beginning on Sunset Blvd., the Parade makes its way south through town, featuring thousands of lights, music and lots of Christmas spirit. Join this annual fun, family event to get you in the Christmas mood. This year’s theme is “An Old Fashioned Christmas.”

Winchester/North Dundas Parade of Lights
Saturday, December 3 at 7:00 pm. Don’t miss the after-parade party at the Legion Hall and free movies at the Old Town Hall.

Carp Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 10, starting at 12:00 pm. The 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. Please bring a food bank donation.

Missing this year: At the time of publication in early November, I wasn’t able to find information about Smiths Falls, Embrun, Renfrew, Hawkesbury, Almonte, Casselman, Eganville or Metcalfe. 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.

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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
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 3 pm to 8 pm, November 25 through December. Why leave Ottawa to make lifelong family holiday memories in a village of lights?! The beautifully illuminated village has more than 30,000 lights that transform what you see during the day into a magical night-time sea of sparkle. Tour the village by horse-drawn wagon ride, learn the history of letters to Santa, decorate gingerbread cookies, enjoy activities like street hockey and sledding, and even see the big guy himself – Santa Claus! Cost: Regular admission

2016 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. 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 Finch, Merrickville, Smiths Falls and Perth on November 27 and then Trenton, Belleville and Brighton on November 28. Check the holiday train schedule for more details.

Alexandria Festival of Lights
November 26 to December 31, 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 7, 2016 to January 7, 2017
Each year, the National Capital Commission coordinates the Christmas Lights Across Canada program. Join the opening ceremonies on Parliament Hill 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 (ten years ago!!) 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 3 and Sunday December 4. 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.

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?

Author: DaniGirl

Canadian. storyteller, photographer, mom to 3. Professional dilettante.

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