Santa is back in town and he’s shutting down parts of the downtown core to ring in the Christmas season.
On Sunday, much of the city from Christie Pits Park to St. Lawrence Market will be filled with parade floats, marching bands and crowds of parade goers. As always, Santa and his sleigh will bring up the rear of the parade with waves and merriment.
Despite the Original Santa Claus Parade’s current financial struggles, attendees can expect typical holiday cheer when the parade begins at 12:30 p.m.
This year, the Santa Claus Parade will travel east down Bloor Street and briefly divert onto Hoskin Avenue, before returning to its traditional route, heading south down University Avenue and eventually terminating at St. Lawrence Market.
The parade will last over two hours and will take place regardless of weather conditions.
Road closures are expected in order to accommodate the popular parade.
The City of Toronto lists the closure areas and the time of the expected shutdown as follows:
- Bloor Street West, from Ossington Avenue to Christie Street, at 7 a.m.
- Bloor Street West, from Christie Street to Avenue Road, at 10:00 a.m.
- Spadina Road, from Lowther Avenue to Willcocks Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- Harbord Street, from Spadina Road to Queen's Park Crescent, at 11:30 a.m.
- Street George Street, from Prince Arthur to College Street, at 11:30 am.
- Hoskin Avenue, from St George Street to Queens's Park Crescent, at 11:30 a.m.
- Queen's Park Crescent from Bloor Street West to College Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- College Street from Beverley Street to Bay Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- University Avenue, from College Street to Dundas Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- Dundas Street West, from McCaul Street to Bay Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- University Avenue, from Dundas Street West to Front Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- Queen Street West from Duncan Street to Bay Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- Adelaide Street from Duncan Street to University Avenue, at 11:30 a.m.
- King Street West from Simcoe Street to York Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- Front Street West from Simcoe Street to Sherbourne Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- Wellington Street West, from University Avenue to Jarvis Street, at 11:30 a.m.
- Bay Street, from King Street to Lakeshore Boulevard West, at 12:30 p.m.
- Yonge Street from King Street to Lakeshore Boulevard, at 12:30 p.m.
- Front Street, from Bay Street to Jarvis Street, at 12:30 p.m.
- Jarvis Street from King Street East to Lakeshore Boulevard East, at 12:30 p.m.
- The Esplanade from Yonge Street to Jarvis Street, at 12:30 p.m.
Roads are expected to reopen around 6 p.m. on Sunday evening.
Motorists can expect to face significant delays in the area and are encouraged to steer clear of the parade routes.
Earlier this month, the Original Santa Claus Parade warned 2024 could be its final iteration if it is unable to raise $250,000.
This week, organizers of the parade said the non-profit may have one more lifeline after various levels of government and private donors promised financial support.
The annual "Holly Jolly 5km Fun Run" will also take place on the parade route Sunday beginning at 11:45 a.m.
