Photo by: Lee Zavitz, ZedPro Media

Ready or Not, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town!

By: Amanda Pereira, 4Rent.ca

While it may be the last thing on your mind, the fact remains the same: the holidays are upon us.

Torontonians are fortunate to be right in the epicentre of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. With activities like the Toronto Christmas Market in the Distillery District or the Cavalcade of Lights at Nathan Phillips Square, there’s no absence of activities.

We’re not short of holiday spirit, but there’s one event that truly stands out and has a history unlike any other. 

Hosted by Eaton’s, the first Toronto Santa Claus Parade occurred on December 2nd, 1905 and contained just a single float featuring the man of the hour – jolly, old St. Nick. By the 1950’s, the parade had grown to be the largest Santa Claus parade in North America, and now one of the oldest.

Since then, the parade has experienced several changes throughout the century and grown exponentially in size.

Year after year, the Toronto Santa Claus Parade has marked the commencement of the holiday season on the city, with some Toronto-based radio stations converting over to their holiday mix in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Young or old, the Santa Claus Parade never loses its allure or ability to evoke the feelings that the holiday season brings with it. If you’re fortunate to live along the parades route, you may not even have to leave the comforts of your home to experience the festivities.

The parade starts at Christies Pits on Bloor Street, and concludes at the St. Lawrence Market.

Don’t miss out on the magic of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, November 19th at 12pm.

Here is a list of other Santa Claus Parades occurring across the GTA in the upcoming weeks:

Peel Region:

Brampton Santa Claus Parade – Saturday, November 18th, 2017 at 5pm
Bolton Santa Claus Parade – December 2nd, 2017 at 6pm
Mississauga/Streetsville Christmas in the Village – Saturday November 25th (2pm – 9pm) to November 26th (11am – 4pm)

Halton Region:

Burlington – Sunday, December 3rd, 2017 at 2pm
Georgetown – Saturday, November 18th at 5pm
Milton – Sunday, November 19th at 1:30pm
Oakville – Saturday, November 18th at 9am

York Region:

Aurora – Saturday, November 25th at 6pm
East Gwillimbury/Sharon – Sunday, November 12th at 2pm
Newmarket – Saturday, November 18th at 11am
Markham – Saturday, November 25th at 11am
Richmond Hill – Saturday, November 18th at 6pm
Schomberg – Saturday, December 2nd at 4pm
Vaughan – Sunday, November 12th at 2pm

Durham Region:

Uxbridge – Saturday, November 18th at 11am
Pickering – Saturday, November 25th at 10am
Ajax – Saturday, November 25th at 6pm
Whitby – Saturday, December 2nd at 10am
Oshawa – Saturday, November 18th at 6pm