For the first time since 2019, Santa Claus and his parade will be back in person on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The COVID-19 pandemic shut down the parade in 2020 and 2021, though Santa made appearances throughout Burlington each weekend in December in those years, on the Santa Holiday Magic Trail. Santa rode an antique fire truck through a number of neighbourhoods, including Tyandaga, the Orchard, Roseland, Elizabeth Gardens, and Aldershot.
This year, starting at 2 p.m., the Burlington Teen Tour Band, the Junior Redcoats and other marching bands will stomp the parade route along with floats, community groups and costumed characters. Kids can once again bring their letters to Santa to give to Canada Post letter carriers, who will ensure the letters get to the right place.
Food donations for local food banks will also be collected at the parade by the Burlington Teen Tour Band boosters, and the Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club will collect $1 and $2 coins and accept $2 tap donations (via credit/Interac card) to support parade operational costs.
The parade’s starting point is on Guelph Line at Prospect St., and the procession will continue down Guelph, to New St., heading to downtown Burlington. After a brief turn onto Martha St., the parade will continue on James St. to Brant St., ending at Brant and Elgin streets at 4 p.m. Streets on the parade route will be closed to traffic from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Prospect St. (from Cumberland Ave. to Guelph Line) will also be closed from 11:30 a.m. for parade preparations.
We had the pleasure of speaking to the big man himself; watch out for our interview with Santa Claus and (Mrs.) Misty Claus coming soon!
