Wrap up the kids: Santa Claus parades galore

OTTAWA — Saturday is parade day in Ottawa, when the Help Santa Toy Parade comes back to town, but it's not the only parade happening in the region.


The 40th annual Help Santa Toy Parade has a new route and start time this year, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Canadian War Museum. Organizers changed the time in part to take advantage of the Christmas lights on Parliament Hill. (Although the lights aren't officially turned on until Dec. 12, when the Olympic torch arrives on the Hill, the National Capital Commission will have them on for testing during the parade.)


The parade heads east on Wellington, turns south on Elgin, then east on Laurier and finishes at Ottawa City Hall. The Ottawa Firefighters Association will collect new toys and cash donations along the route.


Other parades Saturday

Richmond: Santa visits at 11 a.m. The parade departs from South Carleton High School and winds towards Richmond Plaza where free hot chocolate and chili will be available at Santa’s Cafe.

Constance & Buckham’s Bay: Floats will gather on Baillie Avenue for the Santa Claus parade at 1 p.m. Gather at the Constance & Buckham’s Bay Community Centre after the parade for hot dogs, hot chocolate and popcorn.

Arnprior: The annual Santa Claus parade is at 6 p.m., starting from Winners Circle Drive and proceeding down Daniel, Eddy, John and Madawaska streets before heading back to Winners Circle. Santa will finish the parade with a stop at the Royal Canadian Legion to meet with children and hand out candy while the rest of the parade heads back to Winners Circle.

Morrisburg: The Santa Claus parade takes place at 11 a.m. from the intersection of St. Lawrence and Fifth streets. It will move eastwards through town before ending at the shopping centre on Dairy Road.

Winchester: The 13th Annual Country Christmas Parade of Lights will take place at 6 p.m. The parade will leave the North Dundas Township parking lot/Hydro One Yard and proceed up St. Lawrence, Albert and Main streets and finish at Dawley Drive. Attendees are urged to bring non-perishable food items and new, unwrapped toys to be donated to the Dundas County Food Bank and House of Lazarus.

Perth: Santa Claus will be in Perth for the parade starting at 5 p.m. on Sunset Boulevard. This year’s theme is Christmas in the Caribbean.

Renfrew: The Santa Claus parade takes place at 1 p.m. It starts at Our Lady of Fatima Separate School near the corner of Mason Avenue and Baldwin Street and will head through town towards the fairgrounds. Saturday, Dec. 12

Carp: The Huntley Community Association is hosting Carp’s first-ever Santa Claus Parade at 1 p.m. The parade will begin on Rivington Street and make its way down Carp Road before ending at the Huntley Mess Hall on Craig Side Road. Children can gather at the mess hall after the parade for snacks and a special visit from Santa Claus.