It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Markham. Santa is preparing to make his highly-anticipated return to the first in-person parade since 2019 and the Festival of Lights also takes place this weekend.
“After a two-year hiatus, I can’t wait to be out there and see all of the excited and smiling faces waiting for Saint Nick to make his appearance at our annual Markham Santa Claus Parade,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti says. “Every year, but especially this year, this parade will bring our community together as we all celebrate this special time of year.”
The 48th Annual Santa Claus Parade, presented by the City of Markham and the Rotary Clubs of Markham, takes place Saturday, Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sportscaster Joe Bowen, a.k.a. ‘The Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs,’ is this year’s Grand Marshal and the theme of this year’s parade is ‘Imagine…’
The parade will run from Hwy. 7 East and Main Street Markham to Hwy. 7 East and 16th Avenue. Watch the festivities from either side of Main Street Markham. Road closures begin at 8 a.m. Limited parking will be available in the area surrounding the parade route but isn’t allowed on Main Street Markham. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and carpool or take transit.
Visit markham.ca/SantaClausParade for more information, including a map of the parade route. Use #MarkhamSantaParade on Twitter and Instagram to share moments from the event or to follow along in real time.
Kick off the weekend at Main Street Markham’s Annual Festival of Lights on Friday, Nov. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. The tree-lighting ceremony takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Main and Robinson Streets and includes a fireworks display. Local craft vendors will sell their wares in a heated tent at the second annual Holiday Market. Take photos with Santa, sing along with carollers, stay toasty at winter warm-up stations and cast your vote in the annual Best Dressed Holiday Window contest. Main Street will remain open for the event.
Photo from the 2019 Santa Claus Parade courtesy of the City of Markham.
