Ontario’s Santa Claus Parades – Part One

~ The Magic, Charm, and Organized Chaos of Ontario’s Santa Claus Parades ~

The Santa Claus Parade is one of Ontario’s most cherished winter traditions, where you get to wave at a jolly, red-suited gentleman (who may or may not be your local butcher) as he ho-ho-hos his way down the street on a sleigh that’s more likely a festooned trailer bed. Parades mark the holiday season’s official start in many communities across the province, from the glittering metropolis of Toronto to small towns like Wiarton, where Santa’s appearance is, let’s say, less about pomp and more about bringing joy to chilly spectators along a short but spirited route.

A Brief History of Santa Claus Parades in Ontario

Santa Claus Parades have long been the heralds of the holiday season, but surprisingly, they didn’t start with just Santa and his sleigh. The first documented parade of this kind in Ontario dates back to 1905, when Eaton’s Department Store in Toronto wanted a little razzle-dazzle to kick off their holiday shopping season. They figured that a parade would be just the ticket to warm shoppers’ hearts (and open their wallets). And thus, the Toronto Santa Claus Parade was born, setting the tone for all future parades with a big, festive send-off that has only gotten bigger each year.

The concept quickly caught on, with other communities following suit. Parades popped up all over, from Thunder Bay to Windsor, each adding its local flair. Unlike the extravagant Toronto parade, smaller town parades take a more homespun approach, relying on whatever local talent and resources are available—often to hilarious results.

What to Expect from Ontario’s Santa Claus Parades

The Floats: DIY Holiday Spirit

If you’re familiar with the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, you know it’s a well-oiled machine with sponsors, elaborate floats, and hundreds of participants. But in the smaller towns, floats are a bit less… predictable. Expect everything from the high school’s award-winning jazz band crammed onto a tiny float to Mr. Thornton from the hardware store driving his truck with a huge blow-up reindeer strapped to the hood. Local sports teams, scout troops, and businesses are often the stars, riding atop hastily decorated trailers decked out in every Christmas decoration they could find.

One year, in the town of Fergus, a pickup adorned with bales of hay and Christmas lights doubled as a “Santa’s Farm” float, and it nearly caught fire when someone plugged in too many string lights at once. But that’s all part of the charm, you never know if you’ll get a glitzy show or a memorable tale for the ages.

Local Celebrities and Unexpected Guest Stars

One of the true delights of a small-town parade is spotting local “celebrities” waving to the crowd. The mayor is a given, but there are also likely to be people you only vaguely recognize from town. There’s always that guy you’re certain you’ve seen at the coffee shop (he’s probably Santa’s “chief elf”), and every year there’s one “reindeer” who’s definitely wearing his dog’s antlers from last Halloween. It’s endearing and creates that sense of community that the season is all about. Some towns also feature beloved “extras,” like Wiarton’s famed groundhog Wiarton Willie, who dons a Santa hat to greet the crowd and signal that winter has officially begun.

Marching Bands and their (Somewhat) Festive Repertoire

Marching bands are a staple of the parade, but in smaller towns, they often run out of Christmas carols halfway through the parade route. It’s not uncommon to hear “Jingle Bells” played five times in a row until they mix it up with a spirited rendition of “Hot Cross Buns.” These bands may also include some brave souls playing brass instruments without gloves, sacrificing fingers for holiday spirit. You might even get the occasional kazoo band, which, while not exactly traditional, has an undeniable small-town charm.

Candy Galore—And Sometimes Cookies

One universal truth about Ontario’s Santa Claus Parades: no one will go home without candy. Kids eagerly line the streets with bags open wide, ready to catch whatever sweets get tossed their way by folks walking the route. Many volunteers and parade participants carry buckets brimming with candies to hand out to children and their hopeful parents. And in some communities, lucky spectators might even score homemade holiday cookies—carefully wrapped, of course! from the local bakery float or church group.

Handing Out Candy

In Toronto, the goodies are usually confined to official stations along the route, but in small towns, don’t be surprised if you’re handed a full candy cane or a carefully packaged shortbread by Mrs. Claus herself.

A Parade with a Post-Parade Twist

For many smaller towns, the parade is just the beginning. After the last float (Santa!) makes its way down Main Street, everyone heads over to the town square or community center for hot chocolate, caroling, and the inevitable bake sale. Often, the festivities are capped off by a bonfire where families can roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and warm up after hours in the frosty air.

The Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, of course, doesn’t have the same level of post-parade coziness (though plenty of hot chocolate is available). But in towns like Bracebridge, Santa often joins in for a small meet-and-greet where kids can make their holiday requests directly to the big guy himself.

That Glorious, Anticipated Final Float: Santa

Whether you’re in bustling Toronto or cozy Creemore, every Santa Claus Parade climaxes with the grand reveal of Santa himself. With bells jingling, holiday music blaring, and children cheering, Santa rolls in with his signature “Ho, ho, ho!” and waves to his audience. In Toronto, his arrival is more akin to a concert finale with booming sound effects, but in a small-town parade, Santa’s usually perched on the back of a volunteer firefighter’s truck, a bit chilly but beaming.

Why Small-Town Santa Claus Parades Keep the Holiday Spirit Alive

The Santa Claus Parade tradition is more than just a holiday event, it’s a way for communities to come together, celebrate local flair, and share the magic of the season. While the Toronto Santa Claus Parade gets the most fanfare, it’s in the smaller parades that you truly feel the warm embrace of the holiday spirit. It’s the homemade costumes, the dubious float designs, and the people you see every day who make the season bright. So, this year, grab a thermos of cocoa, bundle up, and head to your local parade. Because nothing says “Ontario winter” like waving at Santa while your face slowly freezes into a grin.

NOTE: The images in this article are meant to illustrate the story. Both the article and the images were  AI produced with input from Ontario Visited.