Santa Claus Parades Haliburton Highlands and Surrounding Area
Santa Claus parades are the most common in North America. One of the oldest and largest is the Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, held annually near the middle of November, which was started in 1905 by the Eaton’s department store. That year 1905 Santa arrived on a train and met the Eaton family, then walked to the Eaton’s Downtown store. The first float was introduced in 1908. It was one truck with a band to accompany Santa.
Today, there are more than 25 animated floats with themes ranging from Harry Potter to Hockey Night in Canada. More than 200 Celebrity Clowns lead the Parade and raise about $200,000 annually, while around 2,000 costumed participants march happily through Toronto’s streets. Toronto police have asked Parade organizers to extend the route by one mile in order to spread out the crowds of spectators.
Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade is the longest running children’s Parade in the world and is broadcast across North America and as far away as New Zealand, Norway and Ireland.
The Toronto Santa Parade this year is Sunday November 20, 2011 starting at 12:30 pm
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Santa Claus parades in some countries celebrate the official opening of the Christmas season with the arrival of Santa Claus.
The parades usually include themed floats, dancing , marching groups and bands playing Christmas songs.
Often sponsored by department stores, they may reinforce the store’s brand recognition during the important Christmas shopping season.
Trouble viewing video click here Santas Parade Minden
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Haliburton Area Santa Parades
Come up to the Haliburton Highlands for the colourful season of lights, festive shopping and Santa Claus Parades during November which is near the end of the fall season and the start of winter. Jolly Old Saint Nick will be making his annual visit to many of the rural Ontario towns, cities and villages.
The magic of Santa continues to amaze children of all ages and brings families together for outdoor early Christmas season fun. Here are some Santa parades in the area to enjoy and have fun with the kids.
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Haliburton Santa Claus Parade
- Haliburton, Ontario
- November 25, 2011
- 6:30 pm
Theme : “A Pioneer Christmas” Spectacular Night Parade starts at 6;30 pm
Another night-time spectacle of lights and music. Sparkling lights, floats, marchers, horses and bands all bringing in the Festive Season. Main Street, The Village of Haliburton.
Join in the fun
- To enter call Jim at 705-457-4031.
- Haliburton Village – Highland Street
- Contact: Jim Frost Tel: 705-457-4031
- Email: frostdownhome@bellnet.ca
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Minden Santa Claus Parade
- Minden, Ontario
- November 26, 2011
- 11:30 am
Last Saturday morning in November each year – Parade start time 11:30 a.m.
Sponsored by the Township of Minden Hills in partnership with its volunteers, local businesses and organizations.
Starts at the public parking lot across from the Fire Hall.
Got a float, have it there by 10 – 10:30 so that they can organize the order of all floats.
Come and meet santa after the parade, hot chocolate, free photographs with santa, treats…lots of fun for the kids and kids at heart! Hope to see you there! Parade route from the public parking lot, Newcastle Street to Bobcaygeon Road, north on Bobcaygeon to Parkside and right to the S.G.
For further information, please contact Rick Cox at 705 286 1936 ext 201 or e-mail rcox@mindenhills.on.ca
Nesbitt Memorial Arena.
For more information see Minden Santa Claus Parade
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Huntsville Santa Claus Parade
- Huntsville, Ontario
- November 25, 2011
- 7:00 pm
The Huntsville Santa Claus Parade starts in downtown Huntsville at 7:00 pm and travels to Huntsville Place Mall
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Gravenhurst Santa Claus 58th Annual Parade
- Gravenhurst, Ontario
- November 19, 2011
- 11:00 pm
This year’s theme is “A Country Christmas”. The visit with Santa will be held at the Gravenhurst Opera – Trillium Court starting at 12:30 pm followed b a free traditional Christmas movie upstairs in the theatre starting at 2:00 pm
All Day Event
58th Annual Santa Claus Parade. Parade will begin at the Gravenhurst Legion once again at 11:00 am and will proceed through the Main Street core. This years theme is “A Country Christmas”. The Visit with Santa will be held at the Gravenhurst Opera House – Trillium Court starting at 12:30 pm followed by a FREE Traditional Christmas Movie upstairs in the Theatre starting at 2:00 pm. They ask all families participating in the Family Fun Activity to bring one non perishable food item or one unwrapped childrens toy to go towards those in need over the Holiday season.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 705-687-4432 for more information.
All are welcome!
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Lindsay Santa Claus Parade
- Lindsay, Ontario
- November 20, 2011
- 2:00 pm
The 56th Annual Lindsay and District Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus Parade, presented by Giant Tiger in Lindsay, will be taking place on Sunday, November 20th, at 2 pm. The theme for this year’s parade is “Candyland Trail”. The Parade route begins at Fleming College, travels along Adelaide Street to Kent Street, turns right onto Kent Street and continues down Kent to downtown Lindsay, finishing at the Academy Theatre.
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Fenelon Falls Santa Claus Parade
- Fenelon Falls, Ontario
- November 26, 2011
- 5:00 pm
Santa Day… Olde Fashioned Christmas.
It’s fun, it’s FREE – it’s more than a parade!
This year marks the 12th anniversary of “Santa Day” in Fenelon Falls and it is traditionally featured on the last Saturday in November. It’s all FREE.
Santa’s Workshop starts at 10 am Saturday morning with all other activities starting at 11 am. Join us for a full day of family activities, thanks to the generosity of over 100 local sponsors and supporters. Plan to have the whole family there all day to participate in the many activities.
Thousands of residents and visitors from infants to seniors can join in on the family fun. This includes rides on horse drawn wagons meandering throughout the Village and activities such as a great petting zoo, face painting in two locations, clowns and the talented handbell ringers will be performing. New this year, the Fenelon Museum will feature carollers, Christmas music and making a handmade wooden yo-yo. Be sure to see the competition and ribbon winners for the best decorated Gingerbread Houses. While there, decorate your own Gingerbread Cookie. Get there early… last year 2000 children participated. Come see Santa for a free gift and colour photo.
Imagine an entire day of family fun without having to spend a dime.
Promptly at 5 pm the nighttime parade begins with 7 great bands, dozens of illuminated floats and over 200 volunteers, young and old, all dressed in colourful costumes, representing characters from TV, movies and children’s nursery rhymes. The parade travels 2 kilometres, from one end of the Village to the other with a full colour guard and our Town Crier leading the parade with the dignitaries. Santa and his reindeer highlight the end of the procession. A spectacular winter-time fireworks display concludes the event.
With crowds estimated at 10,000, our “army” of well-trained volunteer parade marshalls, Police, Emergency Service Vehicles and equipment, ensures that it continues to be one of the largest, well-organized and safest parades held anywhere in the Kawarthas.
For more information call the Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce at 705 887-3409 or via e-mail at info@fenelonfallschamber.com
For more information see Fenelon Falls Santa Claus Parade
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Bancroft Santa Claus 66th Annual Parade
- Bancroft, Ontario
- December 3, 2011
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Bracebridge Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade
- Bracebridge, Ontario
- December 4, 2011
- 1:00 pm
Theme: “A Disco Christmas”.
Immediately after the parade Santa will be available for the children in Memorial Park
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Bobcaygeon Santa Claus Parade
- Bobcaygeon, Ontario
- December 10, 2011
- 5:00 pm
Bobcaygeon Kinette Club’s Annual Santa Claus Parade & Santa’s Pancake Breakfast 8:30 – 10:00 (at Lion’s Hall), Parade at 5:00 pm. (evening parade)
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Our favourite parade is the one in Minden. Heather always enjoys watching her grandson and his reactions when he sees Santa with the rain deer, what kid dosen’t…
So if your looking for things to do while on vacation in the Haliburton Highlands then take in one or two of the local Santa Parades.
Photo courtesy of Lyn Winans
Please comment below if you have been to anyone of these parades.
Tags: Activities, Family Event, Haliburton, Minden, Parades
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