Everyone has different opinions on when we should turn our attention to, and start decorating and celebrating, the upcoming Christmas season. I try to wait until after we have celebrated Remembrance Day, and then I figure it’s all systems go. But, I wanted to at least LOOK and perhaps blog about the 2018 Santa Claus parade season this week, because it is coming up so quickly! There are a ton of options for where you can enjoy a Santa Claus parade around the Ottawa region, and I have outlined a bunch of them for you!

Help Santa Toy Parade

Saturday, November 17th, 2018 at 11 am

http://toyparade.ca

This is THE Santa Claus parade going through Ottawa’s downtown core. Every year since 1969, the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters’ Association has been organizing the Help Santa Toy Parade and collecting toys along the parade route for distribution to the less fortunate children in Ottawa-Carleton. You can expect floats, clowns and bands from all around the province. Fire fighters will collect new toys and cash donations along the route. The route starts at Ottawa City Hall, along Laurier and Bank and then finishes at TD Place.

Barrhaven Lions Santa Parade

Sunday, November 18th, 2018 at 5:30 pm

http://santaclausbarrhaven.com

The parade runs down Strandherd Drive, starting at Beatrice Drive and ending at the Park N’Ride. You can expect elaborate floats, tons of lights, marching bands and entertainers. There are lots of food vendors along the route. Bring along non-perishable food items or cash donations for the Barrhaven Food Cupboard. These items will be collected along the parade route. There is also a breakfast with Santa that morning if you’re interested in meeting the big man himself in person.

Cornwall Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, November 17th, 2018 at 5:00 pm

http://cornwallsantaclausparade.com

The theme for the 46TH Annual Parade is CHRISTMAS MOVIES. The parade will start from St. Lawrence Intermediate School.  It will then proceed west. The awards for best floats will be given immediately after the parade.

Kanata Hazeldean Mall Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, November 17th at 10:00 am

Hazeldean Mall Santa Claus Parade

The parade begins at Terry Fox and Castlefrank and continues down Castlefrank to Abbeyhill to Hazeldean Mall. Food and money will be collected by volunteer firefighters along the route for the Kanata Food Cupboard. Join Santa at the mall after the parade.

Carleton Place Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, November 24th at 5:00 pm

Downtown Carleton Place Santa Claus Parade 2018

One of the largest parades in the Ottawa Valley. The parade starts at 5:00 pm. Bridge Street will be closed starting at 4:00 pm. This year’s parade is themed ‘A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Parade.” On this evening everyone is welcome to our downtown, as it has been a Carleton Place tradition for many years.

Santa’s Parade of Lights (Orleans)

Saturday, November 24th, 2018 at 6:00 pm

http://www.paradeoflights.org

Once again the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association will be hosting this light filled parade along St-Joseph Blvd. in Orleans. Toy and cash donations will be collected by firefighters along the route.

Clarence-Rockland Christmas Parade of Lights

Sunday, November 25, 2018 at 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Santa Claus returns to Clarence-Rockland for the Annual Christmas Parade of Lights. The parade begins from L’Heriitage, travelling down Laurier Street and concluding at The Knights of Columbus Hall.

Stittsville Parade of Lights

Saturday, December 1st at 6:00 pm

http://www.stittsvilleva.com/event/stittsville-parade-of-lights/

Stittsville’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. Merry makers are also encouraged to stay for the lighting of Village Square Park, and to share in some hot chocolate and cookies.

The parade will proceed south on Stittsville Main Street, from just south of Hazeldean Road to Carleton Cathcart Street.

Manotick Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, December 1st, 2018 at 1:00 pm

http://manotickvillage.com/event/olde-fashioned-christmas/

Manotick’s annual Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration is a whole weekend long event with horse drawn wagon rides with Father and Mary Christmas to sunset carolling. But the town parade is certainly the main event. It is a lively parade with floats, music, and lots of candy to give out to kids along the way.

Osgoode Parade of Lights

Friday, December 7th, 2018 at 7:30 pm

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 the boys and girls in the village. Don’t forget to bring your canned goods for donation.

Carp Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, December 8th, 2018 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.

Pakenham Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, December 8th, 2018, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Pack a thermos of hot chocolate and head to downtown Pakenham to enjoy an old fashioned festive parade.

Almonte Christmas Night Parade

Sunday, December 9th, 2018 at 5:00 – 7:00 pm

The Parade leaves the Almonte Community Centre at 5 PM. Heads up Bridge St. Turns left onto Mill St. At the end of Mill St it turns right onto Almonte St. and heads to Martin St. At Martin the parade turns Right again and follows Bridge St. back to the Arena.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to visit with kids in the upper hall shortly after the parade returns. There will be free public skating, as well as free hot chocolate and hotdogs during this time thanks to the Almonte Lions Club.