Claus for Celebration: Santa’s Coming to Town

It’s the time of year when Santa is making his annual visit to Ottawa prior to Christmas. He is scheduled to appear at all of Ottawa’s local holiday parades. So, if you want to see Santa and his reindeer this year, bundle up and stake out a good spot where you’re sure to get a good look at him. Santa is making his way all over the city this year with plenty of chances to see him:

• Help Santa Toy Parade, Saturday, November 22, 11 am
• Kanata Santa Claus Parade, Saturday, November 22, 10 am
• Manotick Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade, Friday, November 28, 7 pm
• Riverside South Community Association Toy Mountain Parade, Saturday, November 29, 11 am
• Orléans Santa’s Parade of Lights, Saturday, November 29, 6 pm
• Osgoode Village Parade of Lights, Friday, December 5, 6:30 pm
• Richmond Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 6, 5:30 pm
• Stittsville Parade of Lights, Saturday, December 6, 6 pm
• Constance and Buckham’s Bay Santa Parade, Saturday, December 13, 5 pm
• Huntley Community Association Santa Claus Parade, Saturday, December 13, 6 pm
• Metcalfe Santa Parade Food and Toy Drive, Sunday, December 14, 2 pm

Before visiting a parade, make sure to plan ahead. You can find the most up-to-date traffic impacts information on Ottawa.ca and on our interactive traffic map.

We also have a list of other holiday activities that are sure to put you in the festive spirit, even if you might not see Santa:

• Ottawa Christmas Market, Aberdeen Plaza at Lansdowne, November 21 to December 31 (Fridays through Sundays)
• Parkdale Holiday Market, November 29, noon to 6 pm
• Mayor’s 23rd Annual Christmas Celebration, Ottawa City Hall, December 6, 3 pm to 6 pm
• Cumberland Farmers' Market Christmas Market, December 6, 9 am to 3 pm
• ByWard Public Market winter market, November 21, 4 pm and annual tree lighting, November 21, 5:30 pm
• Magic of Lights, Wesley Clover Parks 411 Corkstown Road, November 21 to January 3
• Winter Lights across Canada, Parliament Hill, December 8 to January 9
• Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk, Lansdowne Park, December 6, 10 am
• Fitzroy Harbour Children’s Christmas Party, Fitzroy Harbour Community Centre, Saturday, December 6, 10 am

• Billings Estate National Historic Site - Holiday Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm beginning November 28 through December 19 (Excluding December 13-14)
• Cumberland Heritage Village Museum - Vintage Village of Lights: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, November 28 to December 21 from 4 pm to 9 pm. Advance registration is required.
• Cumberland Heritage Village Museum - Tree Lighting Ceremony: Friday, November 28 from 5:15 pm to 5:40 pm. Advance registration is required. 
• Cumberland Heritage Village Museum - Introduction to leatherwork workshop - Sleigh bell door hanger: various dates and times from December 10 to December 21. Advance registration is required. 
• Nepean Museum - Retro Christmas - Children's holiday party: December 6 and December 7 from 10 am to 4 pm. 
• Nepean Museum - Weekend Crafters - Vintage paper ornaments: December 21 from 1 pm to 4 pm. 

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