Toronto Santa Claus Parade 2026: Date, Time and What to Know

The Original Santa Claus Parade is Toronto’s oldest Christmas tradition and, for many families, the official start of the holiday season. Santa first rode through the city in 1905, and by the 1950s this was the biggest Santa Claus parade in North America. In 2026 the parade marks its 122nd edition, with floats, marching bands, costumed characters, celebrity clowns and, at the very end, Santa himself.

Toronto Santa Claus Parade 2026 at a glance

Detail	2026 parade
Date	Sunday, November 22, 2026
Start time	12:30 p.m.
Start	Christie Pits Park (Bloor Street West and Christie Street)
Finish	Front and Jarvis streets, near St. Lawrence Market
Length	About 2.5 hours from first float to Santa at any given spot
Cost	Free
Official site	thesantaclausparade.com

The parade route

The parade starts at Christie Pits in the west end and winds about 6 km through midtown and downtown to St. Lawrence Market. In recent years the route has run:

1. East on Bloor Street West from Christie Pits
2. South on Spadina Avenue
3. East on Harbord Street and Hoskin Avenue
4. South on Queen’s Park Crescent and University Avenue
5. East on Wellington Street
6. South on Yonge Street to Front Street
7. East on Front Street to Jarvis Street

Organizers confirm the exact route each year, so check it before you pick a spot. Our Santa Claus Parade route and road closures page is updated with the official 2026 route, street closures and TTC diversions.

When will Santa reach my spot?

The parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. from Christie Pits, but it moves slowly, so the floats reach different parts of the route at very different times. Near the start, the first floats arrive right at 12:30. On University Avenue, expect them roughly an hour later, and near the finish at Front Street, later still. Santa’s sleigh is always last, about two to two and a half hours after the first float passes you.

Where to watch

The best spot depends on your group:

• With young kids: near the start along Bloor Street, so the parade reaches you early and you can head home for naps.
• For the widest view: University Avenue, where the street is wide and the sidewalks have more room.
• For atmosphere: the downtown stretch on Front Street near St. Lawrence Market, where the crowds are thickest and the finish is close.

We compare the main stretches in detail in the best spots to watch the Santa Claus Parade. Whatever you choose, arrive an hour early for a front-row spot on the curb.

Pre-parade fun

Families who come early can visit pre-parade activity zones: Santa’s Treats Zone at Christie Pits and Santa’s Magic Zone at Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square). It’s a good way to fill the wait while you hold a spot nearby.

Getting there

• TTC: The subway is the easiest way in. Christie Station (Line 2) is next to the start. Downtown, St. George, Queen’s Park, St. Andrew and King stations are all close to the route. The TTC usually adds subway service on parade day and diverts bus and streetcar routes that cross the parade.
• GO Transit: Union Station is a short walk from the downtown part of the route. Children 12 and under ride GO free.
• Driving: Not recommended. Vehicles parked along the route are towed in the morning, and roads close for several hours. See parking and transit for Toronto Christmas events.

Check the TTC holiday schedule page for service notes.

What to bring

• Warm layers, a hat and gloves. You’ll be standing still for two to three hours in late-November weather, which is often near freezing. See Toronto weather in December for what to expect in late fall.
• Folding stools or a blanket to sit on the curb
• Hot drinks in a thermos and snacks
• Something to keep little hands busy while you wait, like a letter to Santa to post afterwards. See how to send a letter to Santa.

Run before the parade: Holly Jolly Fun Run

Runners can join the Holly Jolly Fun Run, a festive 5K held on the parade route the same morning, before the floats roll.

Can’t go? Watch on TV

The parade is filmed for broadcast and is traditionally aired on CTV in the following weeks, so you can watch it at home if the weather turns.

More parades and Santa visits

• Neighbourhood Santa Claus parades in Toronto, including the Beaches parade
• Santa Claus parades near Toronto, from Mississauga to Oshawa
• Where to see Santa in Toronto after the parade

For everything else happening this season, see Toronto Christmas events 2026 and our complete guide to Christmas in Toronto.

Santa Claus parades across the GTA

If you can’t make Toronto’s parade, almost every GTA town has its own, many on the same November weekends. See Santa Claus parades near Toronto, or by region: Peel, York, Durham and Halton.

Frequently asked questions

What date is the Toronto Santa Claus Parade in 2026?

Sunday, November 22, 2026.

What time does the Santa Claus Parade start?

It starts at 12:30 p.m. at Christie Pits. Floats reach the downtown end of the route later in the afternoon.

Is the Toronto Santa Claus Parade free?

Yes. Watching from the sidewalk is free.

How long is the Santa Claus Parade?

About two and a half hours pass between the first float and Santa at any one spot on the route.

Which TTC station is closest to the start?

Christie Station on Line 2 is right beside Christie Pits, where the parade begins.

Is the parade cancelled if it rains or snows?

The parade goes ahead in most weather. Check the official website or social media on the morning of the parade for any changes.