Santa Claus is coming to town: When and where to catch local parades

He's making a list of where he needs to be over the next few weeks and checking it twice.

That's right, it's Santa Claus parade season.

Here's a list of parades taking place over the next month.

Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, Nov. 16

10 a.m. start

The parade route will run along Weber Street from Frederick Street in Kitchener to Erb Street in Waterloo.

The Santa Run begins at 9:45 a.m. and will run the route before the parade. People can also bring their letters to Santa to be picked up along the way as well as donations for The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and toys for firefighters collecting for the Knights of Columbus toy drive.

• K-W Santa Claus Parade website

Cambridge Santa Parade

Saturday, Nov. 16

6 p.m. start time

The parade route will run along Hespeler Road from Dunbar Road to Langs Drive. Road closures will be in effect starting at 4:30 p.m.

• Cambridge Santa Claus Parade website

Elmira Santa Claus Parade and Block Party

Saturday, Nov. 23

6 p.m. start

The parade will run throughout town (see map below) and people are encouraged to follow the Santa Tracker on Facebook or Instagram. People are encouraged to gather with neighbours to watch the parade.

Donations to the Woolwich Community Services food bank will be accepted.

• Facebook event page

Puslinch Santa Claus Parade

Sunday, Nov. 24

2 p.m. start

The parade will start at the Puslinch township offices on County Road 34, go east to Brock Road, then south to Maple Leaf Lane, then will head west and end at the Optimist Recreation Centre.

There will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate at the rec centre and Santa will greet children with treats and will be available to take photos. A mailbox for letters to Santa will be set up.

• Optimist Club of Puslinch website

CPKC Holiday Train

Sunday, Nov. 24

Cambridge: 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Ayr: 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The CPKC Holiday Train is back with free concerts and lots of lights decorating the train. The event is a fundraiser for local food banks.

• CPKC Holiday Train website

Ayr-North Dumfries Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, Nov. 30

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The paradein Ayr will start at Northumberland Street and Inglis Streets, travel down Northumberland, turn left onto Stanley Street and end in front of the Ayr Library.

Santa will be on hand to visit children in the gazebo at Centennial Park.

• North Dumfries event page

Elora Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, Nov. 30

6:15 p.m. start

That parade route starts at Sophia Street and Geddes Street, goes through the village's downtown, down the hill on Metcalfe before it turns left onto Mill Street E. and ends at Bissell Park.

• Elora Lions Club Facebook page

Santa's Parade of Lights Stratford

Sunday, Dec. 1

5 p.m. start

The parade will go along the shoreline of the Avon River, from Hillcrest Drive and William Street, it will move east along William Street to Lakeside Drive N., cross the Festival bridge, head west along Lakeside Drive past the Stratford Festival and end at the Tom Patterson Theatre.

• City of Stratford event page

New Hamburg Santa Claus Parade

Sunday, Dec. 1

6 p.m.

Floats and participants will start at Norm Hill Park, then the parade will travel down Bleams to Peel Street, turn left onto Huron Street, turn right onto Union Street, then right on Jacob Street to go back to Norm Hill Park.

• New Hamburg Board of Trade website

Hespeler Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, Dec. 7

12 p.m. start

The parade route will run from Groh Avenue to the corner of Guelph Avenue and Sheffield Street. Letters to Santa will be collected along the way.

Santa will be at the Scout House in Forbes Park after the parade. Donations will be accepted for the Cambridge Food Bank.

• Hespeler Santa Claus Parade website

Fergus Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, Dec. 7

1:30 p.m. start

The parade will start at the A.O. Smith parking lot, move along Maple Street to St. George Street, then travel along St. George Street to St. David Street S. before ending at Albert Street.

There will be prizes for best parade entry. Letters to Santa and food bank donations will be accepted along the way.

• Fergus Lions Club Facebook page

Guelph Community Santa Parade

Saturday, Dec. 7

5:30 p.m. start

The parade is part of the Spirit of the Season festival. It starts with the Santa Run, which kicks off at 4:55 p.m. The parade will start at Powell Street and Norfolk Street. It will travel along Norfolk Street, turn left on Quebec Street, then right on Wyndham Street N. before ending just past city hall.

A Christmas Marketplace will take place both indoors and outdoors in downtown Guelph that same weekend.

• Guelph Community Santa Parade website

Rockwood Farmers' Santa Claus Parade of Lights

Thursday, Dec. 12

7 p.m. start

The parade begins on Fifth Line just north of the village, goes into Rockwood, turns to go west on Highway 7 towards Guelph, then turns on Fourth Line.

Organizers warn the village fills up quickly with people who want to see the parade, so plan ahead.

• Rockwood Farmers' Parade website

Christmas Tyme in Wellesley

Friday, Dec. 13

6:45 p.m. start

The parade will begin at Wellesley Public School and travel west down Queen's Bush Road, south on Nafziger Road and right on Maple Leaf Street, ending at the community centre.

The evening will also include a Story Time with Santa, live nativity by the village's pond, tree of lights and carols by the pond and visits with Santa after the parade.

• Wellesley Veterinary Clinic event page

Did we miss a parade? Email us and provide the details so we can add it.