West of Toronto along Lake Ontario, Halton Region (Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills) has some of the GTA’s prettiest holiday settings: lakeside light displays, historic downtowns and village tree lightings. It also has the earliest big Santa parade in the GTA.
Halton Region Christmas highlights 2026
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 14 | Oakville Santa Claus Parade | Downtown Oakville |
| Fri, Nov 20, 5 p.m. | CPKC Holiday Train | Glen Eden, 5234 Kelso Road, Milton |
| Sat, Nov 28, 1 – 6 p.m. | Kerr Village Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Market | Westwood Park, 173 Kerr Street, Oakville |
| Late Nov – early Jan (TBA) | Burlington Festival of Lights | Spencer Smith Park, Burlington |
| Mid-Nov (TBA) | Milton Santa Claus Parade | Main Street, Milton |
| Early Dec (TBA) | Burlington Santa Claus Parade | Downtown Burlington |
Oakville
Oakville opens the GTA’s parade season with its Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 14, themed “North Pole Sweets and Treats!” Two weeks later, Kerr Village holds its long-running Christmas tree lighting and holiday market on Saturday, November 28, from 1 to 6 p.m. in Westwood Park. Downtown Oakville and Bronte Village also decorate their main streets and host holiday events through December. Read more: Oakville Christmas events
Burlington
Burlington’s Festival of Lights has lit up Spencer Smith Park on the waterfront for more than 30 years, with dozens of glowing displays you can walk through or view from your car along Lakeshore Road. It’s free and runs nightly from late November into early January. The downtown Santa Claus Parade usually takes place on a Sunday afternoon in early December. Read more: Burlington Christmas events · Christmas lights near Toronto
Milton
Milton welcomes the CPKC Holiday Train at Glen Eden on Friday, November 20 (5 to 5:30 p.m.), and its Santa Claus Parade usually runs along Main Street on a Sunday afternoon in mid-November. Nearby, the Halton County Radial Railway runs festive streetcar rides on December 5, 6, 12 and 13. Read more: Milton Christmas events · Santa train rides near Toronto
Halton Hills
Georgetown and Acton bring small-town charm with community parades, tree lightings and historic main streets. Read more: Christmas in Halton Hills
A Halton Christmas day trip from Toronto
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| Late morning | Oakville’s downtown: lakefront shops and cafés along Lakeshore Road |
| Lunch | Kerr Village or downtown Oakville |
| Afternoon | Burlington’s waterfront and the Royal Botanical Gardens area |
| Dusk | The Festival of Lights at Spencer Smith Park, Burlington |
| Evening | Dinner on Brant Street, then the GO Train home |
On a weekend in late November or December, you can add a parade, a tree lighting or a holiday market from the calendar above.
Halton for families
- Santa Claus parades: Oakville, Milton, Burlington, Georgetown and Acton. Halton parades
- Free light displays: Holiday Lights by the Lake in Oakville’s Coronation Park and Burlington’s Festival of Lights, both drivable and walkable. Drive-thru Christmas lights
- Skiing and tubing: Glen Eden in Milton is a good first ski hill for kids. Skiing near Toronto
- Winter walks: conservation areas along the Niagara Escarpment are beautiful in the snow. Winter hikes
Holiday shopping in Halton
Downtown Oakville and Burlington have strong independent shopping streets, Kerr Village has a holiday market, and Toronto Premium Outlets in Halton Hills is popular for bargain hunting. See Durham and Halton Christmas markets.
New Year’s Day in Halton
Oakville’s long-running Courage Polar Bear Dip at Coronation Park is a New Year’s Day tradition that raises money for charity. See New Year’s Day in Toronto.
Christmas in Halton Region: FAQ
What’s the best Christmas town in Halton? Oakville and Burlington have the most events; Georgetown and Milton have the most small-town charm.
Can I visit Halton without a car? Yes. GO trains serve Oakville, Burlington, Milton (weekdays) and Georgetown.
Getting to Halton from Toronto
- GO Transit: the Lakeshore West line serves Oakville and Burlington; the Milton line serves Milton; the Kitchener line serves Georgetown.
- Driving: 30 to 50 minutes from downtown via the QEW or Highway 401/407.
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