It’s parade season for Good Old Saint Nick and we’ve listed the ones closest to our area

HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas!!!

‘Tis the season for Santa Claus Parade after Santa Claus Parade after Santa Claus Parade.

And the man whose belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly is bringing his magic to locations throughout Muskoka and the surrounding areas, and because of the childhood memories, the Toronto Parade is in the list too.

So, for all those wanting to really get into the Christmas Spirit, here is the list of the upcoming Santa Claus Parades in a town or city or village near you.

Saturday, November 18

Bala’s parade begins at 1 p.m. in front of The Kee. The parade will then follow along Highway 169, turn onto Burgess, Victoria and Maple and then floats will leave from there. Free skating at the Bala Arena will begin after the parade ends.

The Orillia Santa Claus parade takes place at 5 p.m. with the route beginning on Colborne Street West then taking Santa and his friends onto Dunlop Street, Mississaga Street East and along Front Street to end at Queen Street East.

In Barrie, the Santa Parade also begins at 5 p.m. at Tiffin and Lakeshore, going north on Lakeshore Drive past Centennial Park and up Toronto Street. Then the parade travels east onto Dunlop, past Mary Street, Maple Avenue and Bayfield at Five Points. The parade then rolls through the heart of Dunlop, past Meridian Place with the Noella Festival, ending with the Festival of Trees at Heritage Park and fireworks in the evening.

Then in Bradford, beginning at the high school at 6:30 p.m., the Santa Claus Parade will travel east on Holland Street and end up at the Bradford & District Memorial Community Centre.

Friday, November 24

The Rotary Club of North Muskoka, in partnership with the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, presents the Huntsville Santa Claus Parade beginning at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is “Creating Hope at Christmas.”

The parade will take place along the vibrant streets of Main St/King William St, commencing at Lorne Street and culminating in a grand finale at the Huntsville Place Mall.

Saturday, November 25

The Gravenhurst Santa Claus Parade takes place beginning at 11 a.m. in the town’s historic downtown, providing the perfect winter backdrop to the Christmas festivities. The parade will feature the theme “Marching Through Time.”

Sunday, November 26

For my followers in the GTA and those looking for a Sunday to do, the Original Toronto Santa Claus Parade begins at 12:30 p.m. It’s one of the oldest Santa Claus parades in the world and it has some of the most amazing floats anywhere.

If you can handle the crowds, it’s worth the visit. The Toronto Santa Claus Parade starts at Christie Pits Park and travels east along Bloor Street, then south on Spadina Avenue and then east along Harbord Street, south along University Avenue, east along Wellington Street, then south on Yonge towards Union Station, then east along Front Street and ends at St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto.

However, if you can’t make it, CTV does a good job airing the parade for those at home.

Saturday, December 1

The 77th Annual Santa Claus Parade presented by the Rotary Club of Bracebridge/Muskoka Lakes takes place on Manitoba Street starting at 6 p.m. at Shopper’s Drug Mart. Families can meet Santa at Memorial Park after the parade while also enjoying the Festival of Lights in the park.

There you have it! Go to one, go to two, go to them all if you like, but at least you have the info.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!