Santa Claus Parades in Ottawa
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While some houses in your neighbourhood may still be sporting a jack ‘o lantern, Christmas is coming and that means Santa Claus parades will be popping up all around Ottawa!
2016 Santa Claus Parades in Ottawa
Help Santa Toy Parade
http://toyparade.ca/
Saturday, November 19th at 11 a.m.
The Ottawa Professional Fire Fighter’s Association has helped organize the Help Santa Toy Parade since 1969. This is the big one that takes place downtown and is favoured by many in the Ottawa area. Firefighters collect new toys and cash donations along the route. Can’t bring your toy donation? They will also accept new toys at any Ottawa Fire Station until mid-December. Depending on your spot along the route it can get busy, so keep this in mind if your family doesn’t like crowds.
Santa’s Parade of Lights
paradeoflights.org
Saturday November 26th at 6 p.m.
Also hosted by the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association, this parade takes place on St-Joseph, Blvd. in Orleans. Toys and cash donations will be collected by firefighters along the route.
Stittsville Parade of Lights
stittsvilleva.com/parade-of-lights
Saturday, November 26th at 6 p.m.
This parade is a favourite community event. The parade proceeds south down Main Street to Village Square. Parade goers are welcome to stay for the lighting of Village Square Park and to warm up with some hot chocolate.
Kanata Santa Claus Parade
http://www.hazeldeanmall.com/events/hazeldean-2016-hazeldean-mall-santa-claus-parade Saturday, November 12th at 10 a.m.
The Kanata parade (a.k.a the Hazeldean Mall Santa Claus Parade) is presented by the Kanata-Hazeldean Lions Club in cooperation with the Kanata Sports Club. The parade starts at Terry Fox and Castlefrank, moves along Castlefrank to Abbeyhill and then on to the Hazeldean Mall. Nonperishable food donations to the Kanata Food Cupboard are appreciated.
Barrhaven Lions Santa Parade
santaclausbarrhaven.com
Sunday, November 20th at 5:30 p.m.
The annual Barrhaven Lions Club Light Up the Night Santa Claus Parade runs down Strandherd Drive. Forgot to pack snacks? There will be food vendors along the route.
Richmond Village Santa Claus Parade
http://richmondvillage.ca/event/santa-parade/
Saturday, December 3rd at 5:30 p.m.
Carp Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, December 10th at 12 noon
Parade route starts at The Diefenbunker, 3911 Carp Road, and follows Carp Road.
Carleton Place Santa Claus Parade
http://downtowncarletonplace.com/the-downtown-carleton-place-santa-claus-parade/
Saturday, November 26th at 5 p.m.
Other Christmas Activities in Ottawa
Besides parades, there are many Christmas activities in Ottawa, including:
Alight the Night
http://www.uppercanadavillage.com/events/alight-at-night/
December 2nd to January 7th
Upper Canada Village
Step back in time while walking around the beautifully lit heritage buildings, trees and fences of Upper Canada Village. There are festive activities and a chance to meet Santa Claus all throughout the month of December leading up to Christmas.
Almonte’s Light Up the Night!
lightupthenightalmonte.com
Friday, December 2nd at 7 p.m.
Bundle up, this is an open-air concert and fireworks display on Main Street in Almonte. Now in its 26th year this night is full of music and memorable outdoor festivities.
Manotick - Olde Fashioned Christmas
http://manotickvillage.com/event/olde-fashioned-christmas/
Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th
Horse drawn wagon rides with Father and Mary Christmas to sunset carolling, this wonderful weekend is full of traditional events not to be missed.
Merrickville - Breakfast with Santa
christmasinmerrickville.ca
Saturday, December 3rd from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Sponsored by the Merrickville Royal Canadian Legion this is one of the most popular Christmas-in-Merrickville events. You and your family can enjoy a hearty, home-style breakfast with Santa at the Royal Canadian Legion. After breakfast, your children can share their wish list with Santa, or you can enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride as a family. The wagon stop is right outside the Legion’s door. Donations for the horse drawn wagon rides are appreciated. Breakfast with Santa costs $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 12 and under; children ages 6 and under are free.
Cumberland Heritage Village Museum Vintage Village of Lights ottawa.ca/en/liveculture/museums/cumberlandmuseum
30,000 Christmas lights, decorations everywhere, a gigantic reindeer and sleigh and – of course – a visit with Santa Claus in his workshop! Kids will have fun sledding, playing broomball or street hockey, making a snow globe, decorating gingerbread, and sending your Christmas wish list to Santa via telegram. Regular admission applies.
A Nepean Christmas
ottawa.ca/en/liveculture/museums/nepeanmuseum
Saturday, December 11th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Grab the family and head to the Nepean Museum with kids to have fun learning about old-fashioned Christmas traditions. Take home a gingerbread house and a Christmas card, and maybe even see Santa Claus! Cost: $6.15/individual, $10.20/pair, $16.35/family.
Proulx Maple & Berry Farm Winterfest
http://proulxberryfarm.com/
December 1st to the 18th
Drop by Proulx Maple & Berry Farm in Cumberland for a beautiful display of Christmas lights, a photo booth, wagon rides and more! Visit their website for more informaton.
The CP Holiday Train
cpr.ca/en/community/holiday-train
November 27th: Perth (7:40 p.m.), Smiths Falls (6:20 p.m.) and Merrickville (4:45 p.m.)
You may not see Santa here, but this is a great holiday event all the same. The CP Holiday Train started in 1999 and raises money and food for the Food Bank. Over the three weeks of the program, musicians will play more than 150 concerts from a boxcar that’s been turned into a travelling stage.
