Toronto’s Original Santa Claus parade is set to celebrate its 120th year on Sunday, aiming to spread holiday cheer to an estimated 750,000 spectators. The six-kilometer parade will feature 27 hand-crafted floats and over 2,000 performers.
David McCarthy, chair of the Original Santa Claus Parade board of directors, expressed excitement about the event, saying, as quoted by CBC News, “We’re expecting to bring the magic back to the city of Toronto again this year.”
Pre-parade activities
Festivities will begin at 10 am at Christie Pits, where children can write letters to Santa, enjoy cookies, and watch a performance by Wiggles star Emma Memma before she joins the parade.
At 11:45 am, the Holly Jolly Run—a five-kilometer race with nearly 2,000 participants—will kick off the day. Mayor Olivia Chow will deliver remarks at 12:15 p.m., officially launching the parade.
Parade route
Starting at 12:30 pm at Christie Pits, the parade will follow a modified six-kilometer route due to construction. The procession will travel east along Bloor Street, south on St George Street, and weave through the city before concluding at St Lawrence Market around 3 pm.
Where to watch?
The parade will be live-streamed on the Santa Claus Parade YouTube channel, offering an alternative to the traditional television broadcast.
The Original Santa Claus Parade – LIVE BROADCAST (November 24, 2024)
Traffic advisory
Toronto police have announced road closures starting at 7 am, with streets reopening by 6 pm. The TTC will increase subway and streetcar services along the route, and special GO Train service will run on the Milton Line.
Road Closures
7:00 am
- Bloor Street W (Ossington Avenue to Christie Street)
10:00 am
- Bloor Street W (Christie Street to Avenue Road)
11:30 am
- Spadina Road (Lowther Avenue to Willcocks Street)
- Harbord Street (Spadina Road to Queen’s Park Crescent)
- St George Street (Prince Arthur to College Street)
- Hoskin Avenue (St. George Street to Queen’s Park Crescent)
- Queen’s Park Crescent (Bloor Street W to College Street)
- College Street (Beverley Street to Bay Street)University Avenue (College Street to Dundas Street)
- Dundas Street W (McCaul Street to Bay Street)
- University Avenue (Dundas Street W to Front Street)
- Queen Street W (Duncan Street to Bay Street)
- Adelaide Street (Duncan Street to University Avenue)
- King Street W (Simcoe Street to York Street)
- Front Street W (Simcoe Street to Sherbourne Street)
- Wellington Street W (University Avenue to Jarvis Street)
12:30 pm
- Bay Street (King Street to Lakeshore Boulevard W)
- Yonge Street (King Street to Lakeshore Boulevard)
- Front Street (Bay Street to Jarvis Street)
- Jarvis Street (King Street E. to Lakeshore Boulevard E)
- The Esplanade (Yonge Street to Jarvis Street)
Funding challenges
While the parade’s milestone anniversary brings excitement, organizers warn its future is uncertain due to declining sponsorships and rising costs. A $250,000 funding gap remains for this year’s event.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $125,000 as of Sunday, and recent contributions from the city, province, and a pledge of federal support from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have provided hope. However, McCarthy stressed the need for ongoing community and corporate backing to secure future parades.
