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The City of Niagara Falls 2025 Santa Claus Parade is set to take place on Saturday, November 15 at 4:00 p.m., followed by Post Parade Celebrations in Centennial Square.
Photos with Santa Claus!
Visit the MacBain Community Centre for free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus!
- Where: MacBain Community Centre lobby, 7150 Montrose Road
- Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
- Time: 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Santa Claus Parade, presented by Ontario Power Generation and Niagara Peninsula Energy | 4:00 p.m.
The parade will feature bands, floats, characters, performers and, of course, Santa Claus! See below for the official route. The parade will take place rain or shine.
Parade entries
- Project SHARE will be accepting donations of non-perishable food items along the route. Don’t worry if you miss them along the route, there will be bins at Centennial Square to gather remaining donations.
- Letters to Santa will be gathered along the parade route!
- Lots of great parade entries with something for everyone:
- Marching bands
- Costume characters
- Five local high schools
- And of course, SANTA!
Santa’s transportation proudly sponsored by the University of Niagara Falls Canada.
Official parade rules
2025 City of Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade
Saturday, November 15, 4 pm to 5:30 pm
Completed Entry Forms and Permission Forms must be received by October 17, 2025
- No Santa Claus replica may be part of any entry other than the Official Santa Claus at the end of the parade
- All entries must be based upon a holiday theme and entertaining to a family audience, primarily of children
- All entries must be seasonally decorated, including lights
- The minimum age for participants marching/walking is 7 years. Younger participants must be safely seated on a vehicle/float
- Float height restriction is 3.35 metres (11 feet) from the ground to the top of the display
- All parade entries MUST provide proof of liability insurance for $2 million. The Certificate format should name “The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls” as an Also/Additional Insured. You MUST use the City’s standard form
- Each Mascot MUST have at least one handler and must remain with their float/entry
- All entries using floats in their display must be moved into their designated location without any passengers on the float and must have safety railings (minimum three feet in height) around the perimeter
- All entries using a combustible fuel-powered generator or any other possible fire hazard MUST supply an appropriate fire extinguisher on their vehicle
- Demonstrations or performances are to stay within their performance area (around their float) and abide by all regulations. All entries MUST maintain a spacing of no less than 2 metres or 6 feet apart
- Any entrant considered to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be removed from the parade, and all participants in the parade shall not consume or give the impression of consuming alcoholic beverages
- All parade participants shall refrain from smoking and/or vaping during their participation in the parade
- For safety reasons, no items are to be distributed during the Parade
- A detailed drawing or photograph must accompany all floats/entries
- An entry may be refused up to the start of the Parade should the entry not meet Parade guidelines or differ from its approved entry form
- All entries will be notified of their parade status in early November
The City of Niagara Falls and the Santa Claus Parade Staff are not responsible and will not be held liable for any costs incurred with the production of any Entry to the Niagara Falls Santa Claus Parade.
Post Parade Celebration, presented by Niagara Peninsula Energy | 5:15 p.m.
The celebration will feature the official Christmas tree lighting, entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, food trucks, and a special photo opportunity and giveaway courtesy of Niagara Peninsula.
Don’t miss out on visits and performances by Elphaba and Glina and Elsa and Anna, and more!
Grab a bite to eat at one of the food trucks:
- Fiesta Empanada
- 905 Hotdog Pound
- Purple Perk
- The Red Chip Wagon
Niagara Health Foundation Christmas Tree Lighting | 5:15 p.m.
Immediately following the parade, the Niagara Health Foundation Christmas Tree Lighting will take place in Centennial Square at City Hall. Sponsored by Niagara Peninsula Energy and Alectra, the Christmas tree lighting officially kicks off the Niagara Health Foundation’s annual Celebration of Lights to raise funds for urgently needed equipment at our local hospitals.
Photos with Santa, presented by Niagara Helicopters | 5:30 p.m., immediately following the Christmas tree lighting
After the Christmas tree lighting, at approximately 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., residents are invited to remain in Centennial Square for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, presented by Niagara Helicopters.
Holiday Cookie Giveaway, presented by Hodgson Custom Rolling Inc. | 5:30 p.m., immediately following the Christmas tree lighting
Delicious FREE festive cookies will be handed out, courtesy of Hodgson Custom Rolling Inc., while quantities last.
Pair it with hot chocolate donated by Tim Hortons, while quantities last.
Festive Lighting & Decorations, presented by Beam Power & Utilities Ltd.
Festive Lighting on Queen Street will be installed by Beam Power and Utilities Ltd.
Parade route, road closures and parking
The parade will start on Victoria Avenue at Armoury Street, heading northbound on Victoria to Valley Way. The route will then veer from Valley Way onto Queen Street, ending at Centennial Square in front of City Hall (4310 Queen Street).
Before the Santa Claus Parade, visit Queen Street to explore the various restaurants and shops and get a head start on your holiday shopping!
While Queen Street will be closed to vehicular traffic, ample side-street parking options and City-owned parking lots are available downtown.
For those with properties along the parade route, below you will find specific times regarding road closures:
- 8 am: Queen Street from Victoria Avenue to Erie Avenue to be closed. Residents MUST REMOVE all vehicles from the street by 8 am.
- 12 pm: Armoury Street from Victoria Avenue to Fourth Avenue & Jepson Street from Victoria Avenue to Valley Way to be closed. Residents MUST REMOVE all vehicles from the street by 12 pm.
- 3:30 pm: Victoria Avenue from Queen Street to Jepson Street to be closed. Residents MUST REMOVE all vehicles from the street by 3 pm.
- 4 pm: Parade begins at Victoria Avenue and Armoury Street.
- 5:15 pm: Roads to be reopened as the Parade progresses through the route.
All property owners, businesses, and residents affected by the road closures will receive this information via a mail notice by Wednesday, November 5th at the latest.
Want to volunteer?
The City is still looking for volunteers to assist with the parade and post-parade celebration.
Volunteers are needed for various roles, including mascot handler, costumed characters, banner carriers, volunteer orientation and more!
When: Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Register: Complete the online volunteer application form
Students can earn community service hours! Bring your school’s Volunteer worksheet to be signed at the event, or email us after the event to request confirmation.
For more information, please contact:
Jessica Petrella
Recreation, Culture & Facilities Administrator
City of Niagara Falls
905-356-7521 x 3349
[email protected]
Thank you to our 2025 parade sponsors
