Santa has a lot going on this weekend in Niagara!
Starting things off in Niagara Falls at 11 am on Saturday Nov. 19, the annual Parade will feature 12 marching bands as well as Superheroes, Stilt Walkers, the local high schools and so much more with Santa Claus in the Grand Finale!
The Parade Route begins at Victoria Avenue at Armoury Street and travels north along Victoria Avenue, turning right onto Valley Way, right onto Queen Street and ending just past Niagara Falls City Hall.
During the Parade:
- The Salvation Army will be giving away free Hot Chocolate at the Rosberg Family Park.
- Free Face Painting, Balloons and Caricatures at City Hall.
- Canada Post will be collecting letters to Santa along the parade route. Please remember to include a return address, so Santa can answer your letter.
- Project SHARE will be collecting food donations along the Parade route.
After the Parade at Niagara Falls City Hall
- Meet & Greet with Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus.
- 283 Performing Arts Company will perform immediately before Santa.
- Enjoy the Zoosemobile and entertainment from Kobbler Jay.
- Plus drop by the City Parent Magazine, GoodLife Fitness and Scotiabank tents.
Then Santa will be off to Welland for another parade starting at 4 pm at Canadian Tire Financial Services on the corner of East Main and Wellington Streets. Heading west on East Main Street, the Parade ends at Civic Square, where the party is just getting started.
Come for the Parade and stay for a movie – How the Grinch Stole Christmas will be playing on Welland’s Big Screen beginning at 5:10pm.
- Hey Kids: Bring your letters addressed for Santa to the parade. Canada Post mail carriers will be picking them up along the route. Make sure you put your return address on your letter.
- Merry and Bright: Join Santa once he arrives at Civic Square and help him with the lighting of Welland’s Christmas Tree. Bridge 13 will be lit in red and green on parade night.
- Visit: Visit Santa Claus at Civic Square, while warming up with free hot chocolate and treats. While you’re there, design a spectacular holiday craft. Complimentary coffee from Black Sheep Lounge.
- Share the Spirit: The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council will be collecting change donations along the route for the Welland Open Arms Mission. Thank you for your generosity.
In St. Catharines, the annual parade will be on Sunday November 20th at 3:30 pm. The parade has a new route this year and begins at the corner of Queen and Duke streets, then travels along Queen Street and turns left onto St. Paul Street, continues along James Street, turns left onto Church Street and ends at Wellington Street.
Events will begin pre-parade with a free skate at Meridian Centre from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
After the parade, there is lots to do including crafts, face painting and so much more including live entertainment and meet and greet with Santa Claus from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Market Square. (And don’t forget to bring a non perishable food item, hats or mittens for Community Care St. Catharines & Thorold).
At 5:15 p.m. you can catch the lights as the Hotel Dieu Shaver Foundation flips the switch for the Holiday Tree Lighting on the front lawn of city hall.
Other Festivities in the Region!
Kick-off the festive season at the 34th annual Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights Opening Ceremonies in Niagara Parks’ Queen Victoria Park. The evening will feature two shows on a stage in the centre of the park, showtimes are 5:45PM & 7:00PM.
The shows will feature entertainment from the Niagara Star Singers,cirque performances by Zero Gravity Circus, Laser Light Show and fireworks over the Falls!
This evening of thrilling family-friendly entertainment will culminate in the flip-the-switch ceremony where millions of sparkling lights will be illuminated! This show is not to be missed, be sure to mark it in your calendars and join in for the opening night of the 2016-2017 Season on Saturday, November 19, 2016!
BOTTOM LINE: A busy and festive weekend in store…why not get out and enjoy?
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