East of Toronto, Durham Region stretches from the suburbs of Pickering and Ajax to the small towns of Uxbridge and Port Perry. It has more Santa Claus parades than any other part of the GTA, plus downtown tree lightings, village Christmas festivals and two stops of the CPKC Holiday Train.
Durham Region Christmas highlights 2026
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 21, 10 a.m. | Pickering Santa Claus Parade | Dixie Road and Glenanna Road to City Centre |
| Sat, Nov 21 | Brooklin’s Christmas in the Village | Downtown Brooklin, Whitby |
| Sun, Nov 29, 2 p.m. | CPKC Holiday Train | Scugog Road and Wellington Street, Bowmanville |
| Sun, Nov 29, 3:15 p.m. | CPKC Holiday Train | 680 Laval Drive, Oshawa |
| Mid-Nov (TBA) | Oshawa Bright and Merry Market and Santa Claus Parade of Lights | Downtown Oshawa |
| Late Nov (TBA) | Ajax Santa Claus Parade and Spectacle of Lights | Bayly Street and Harwood Avenue South |
| Early Dec (TBA) | Whitby, Courtice and Port Perry parades | Various |
See every parade and its usual timing in Santa Claus parades in Durham Region.
Pickering and Ajax
Pickering’s daytime Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 21 starts at Dixie Road and Glenanna Road and ends at Pickering City Centre. Ajax follows with its evening Santa Claus Parade and Spectacle of Lights, usually in late November. Read more: Christmas in Pickering and Ajax
Whitby
Whitby’s community celebration Brooklin’s Christmas in the Village takes over downtown Brooklin on Saturday, November 21, 2026, with Santa, crafts, scavenger hunts, photo spots and market vendors. Downtown Whitby’s own Santa Claus Parade usually runs along Brock Street in early December. Read more: Whitby Christmas events
Oshawa
Downtown Oshawa kicks off its season with the Bright and Merry Market, a free evening of tree lighting, holiday market stalls, carollers, buskers, Santa in his igloo and a hop-on, hop-off trolley, followed by the Santa Claus Parade of Lights along Bond Street. Both are usually held in mid-November; watch the City of Oshawa for 2026 dates. The CPKC Holiday Train stops on Laval Drive on November 29. Read more: Oshawa Christmas events
Clarington
Bowmanville, Newcastle and Courtice each hold a Santa parade, and Bowmanville is a CPKC Holiday Train stop on November 29 at 2 p.m. Read more: Christmas in Clarington
Uxbridge and Port Perry
North Durham’s small towns are made for a Christmas day trip: Uxbridge’s daytime parade on Brock Street, Port Perry’s evening parade from the fairgrounds to Palmer Park and festive historic main streets. Read more: Christmas in Uxbridge and Port Perry
Markets
See Christmas markets in Durham and Halton for holiday markets across the region.
Why Durham at Christmas?
- The most Santa Claus parades in the GTA, including daytime and nighttime options. Durham parades
- Two CPKC Holiday Train stops, a rare treat. CPKC Holiday Train
- Village festivals like Brooklin’s Christmas in the Village in Whitby.
- Small-town charm in Uxbridge and Port Perry, with historic main streets and lakeside views. Uxbridge and Port Perry
- Tree farms and countryside for a cut-your-own outing. Christmas tree farms near Toronto
A Durham Christmas day trip
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| Morning | Cut your own tree at a farm north of Whitby or in Clarington |
| Lunch | Downtown Whitby or Bowmanville |
| Afternoon | Browse Port Perry’s Queen Street shops by Lake Scugog |
| Evening | A tree lighting, holiday market or nighttime parade, depending on the date |
Skiing and winter fun
North Durham’s hills are among the closest ski areas to Toronto, and its conservation areas are great for snowshoeing and winter walks. See skiing near Toronto and winter hikes.
City guides
- Pickering and Ajax at Christmas
- Whitby Christmas events
- Oshawa Christmas events
- Christmas in Clarington
Christmas in Durham Region: FAQ
What’s the best Christmas town in Durham? For atmosphere, Port Perry and Uxbridge; for events, Whitby and Oshawa.
Is Durham easy to reach from Toronto? Yes. The GO Lakeshore East line serves Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa, and the 401 runs right through the region.
Getting to Durham from Toronto
- GO Transit: the Lakeshore East line serves Pickering, Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa.
- Durham Region Transit connects the towns.
- Driving: 30 to 60 minutes from downtown via the 401, or Highway 407 and 412/418 for the northern towns.
