I admit, November isn’t really my favourite month. It gets cold and dark, and it really just seems like that time between all of the beautiful fall splendour and Christmas magic. However, that Christmas magic does creep into November, especially in the form of the Santa Claus parades, which kick off very soon. Last year my family started a tradition with the Ottawa Santa Claus parade in honour of our son Lachlan. We let our kids choose toys to buy and donate and we tried to select ones that a (nearly) one year old boy would enjoy (which is the age Lachlan would have been last Christmas). This year we will be selecting toys with a two year old boy in mind. It seemed like a very lovely way to spread Christmas cheer to others and do something special in Lachlan’s name.

Help Santa Toy Parade

Saturday, November 16th, 2019 at 11 am

The Help Santa Toy Parade is THE Santa Claus parade that winds 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. You can also expect to be given A LOT of candy canes. 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.

Kanata Hazeldean Mall Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, November 16th, 2019 at 10 am

The Kanata Santa Claus 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.

Barrhaven Lions Santa Parade

Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 5:30 pm

The Barrhaven parade happens in the evening and 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. This year spectators are asked to bring a loonie to help support local charities.

Cornwall Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, November 16th 2019 at 5:00 pm

The Cornwall parade is another evening parade. The theme for the 48TH Annual Parade is CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS. 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. Refreshments will be served at that time and everyone is invited.

Carleton Place Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, November 23 2019 at 5:00 pm

The Carleton Place Santa Parade is one of the largest parades in the Ottawa Valley. The parade starts at 5:00 pm at Bridge Street, then continues down Bridge Street, cross at Lake Ave intersection and continues to the end of Lansdowne Ave, where the parade will end. This year’s parade is themed ‘An Old Fashioned Christmas.”

Santa’s Parade of Lights (Orleans)

Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 6:00 pm

The Orleans Santa’s Parade of Lights is hosted by the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association along St-Joseph Blvd. At this light filled evening parade, toy and cash donations will be collected by firefighters along the route.

Clarence-Rockland Christmas Parade of Lights

Sunday, November 24, 2019 at 4:30 pm

The Clarence-Rockland Parade begins at Heritage Rd, travelling down Laurier Street and concluding at The Knights of Columbus Hall with a spaghetti dinner.

Stittsville Parade of Lights

Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 6:00 pm

The annual Parade of Lights is a community favourite. This year’s route will be slightly shorter than usual, running along Stittsville Main Street from Carp Road to Abbott Street. This will be followed by the lighting of Village Square Park immediately after the parade.

Manotick Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 11:00 am

Manotick’s annual 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.

Carp Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 12:00 pm

The Carp Christmas 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.

Pakenham Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 1:00 pm

The Packenham Santa Claus Parade is a popular event that begins at the Stewart Community Centre and ends there too. After the parade everyone is invited to a free public skate and a chance to sit on Santa’s knee.

Almonte Christmas Night Parade

Sunday, December 8th, 2019 at 5:00 pm

The Almonte 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.
There will be free public skating, as well as free hot chocolate and hotdogs following the parade.