West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade

2024 Santa Claus Parade

The Township is thrilled to present the 34th Annual West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade in 2024. Join us on November 30, 2024, at 5 p.m. for this fun holiday celebration!

Get involved in the parade by becoming a volunteer or sponsor! Learn how below.

Holiday Market

The Township is also holding a special Holiday Market on the morning of the West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade. Come out to the West Lincoln Community Centre, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 30, to peruse a wide selection of quality products and creations from local vendors. Find full details on our Market page.

Parade route

The parade will start at 5 p.m. from the West Lincoln Community Centre, travelling east on West Street, south on Regional Road 20 and concluding at the corner of St. Catharines Street and Industrial Park Road.

Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly, bring their own lawn chairs or blankets and arrive early to claim their spot. CIBC staff will be handing out free hot chocolate to the first 500 people who visit them outside their downtown branch on the parade route.

Give back

Don’t forget a non-perishable food item! In addition to displaying beautiful floats illuminated in twinkling lights, the parade will again provide an opportunity for attendees to give back and support community members in need. West Lincoln Fire & Emergency Services will be collecting non-perishable food donations to benefit the West Lincoln Community Care Holiday Hampers.

Road Closures

Road closures will begin at 3:30 p.m. on parade day and last until 8 p.m.

Hard road closure: Regional Road 20 (West Street), beginning at South Grimsby Road 5 and ending at Townline Road
Hard road closure: Regional Road 14 (Station Street), beginning at Forest Avenue and ending at West Street
Hard road closure: Regional Road 14 (Griffin Street) from Regional Road 20 to Smits Cove
Soft road closure (local traffic only): Regional Road 20 (West Street) from South Grimsby Road 6 to South Grimsby Road 5
Soft road closure (local traffic only): Regional Road 14 (Station Street) from Young Street to Forest Avenue
Soft road closure (local traffic only): Regional Road 14 (Canborough Street) from Smits Cove to Townline Road

Map of Smithville with road closures for West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade

Information for parade entries

Parade entry applications closed on November 8.

If you submitted your entry application before the deadline, please remember to submit the required insurance documentation to the Township's Events Planner by 4 p.m. on November 17, 2024. Learn more in the 2024 Rules and Regulations and Waiver.

Important parade-day details:

Set up for parade entries begins at 3 p.m. in the West Lincoln Community Centre (177 West St., Smithville) parking lot and surrounding area
Parade entries must be completely set up by 4 p.m.
Road closures begin at 3:30 p.m.
Parade starts at 5 p.m. sharp
Parade ends at Industrial Park Rd.

Become a volunteer

Interested in volunteering? We are looking for volunteers who can help with day of event duties.

Please note that most positions will require long periods of standing.

Traffic Control Volunteers will provide traffic protection and control measures at the low risk areas of the road closure plan. Barricades and barrels will be at each location to assist with stopping traffic.
Volunteer Parade Marshals will monitor entry/participant movement and spectator activity. Marshals will communicate with drivers about speed and remind them not to stop or slow down to wait for walking participants. Assist drivers with alternate routes, keep the parade pace and ensure the road is clear.

If you are interested in joining in the fun and supporting the community please contact the Township's Events Planner.

Become a sponsor

Paid parade entertainers and bands, which add the extra special “magic” require additional sponsorship. Sponsorship follows under four categories:

$1,000+ Diamond Sponsors
$750+ Platinum Sponsors
$500+ Gold Sponsors
Under $500 Community Donation

Your generous sponsorship will be highlighted on our website, Township events calendar, Township social media posts, Facebook event pages, newspaper advertisements, posters in Township facilities and around the community, and on the LED signs at Township Administration and West Lincoln Community Centre on the day of the parade.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact the Township's Events Planner.

History of the parade

The first Santa Claus Parade held in West Lincoln occurred in 1990 and has been a highly anticipated event since. Over the years, the amount of floats and parade attendees grew exponentially, and route variations were taken in stride to accept the growth of this small town parade.

Dave Willis, the long-time Committee Chair, passed away suddenly in late 2019, but the remaining Committee members persevered to put on a beautiful Parade in his honor that year.

In 2020, a brand new group of Parade Committee volunteers stepped forward to take a hold of the reins and keep the parade on the same esteemed course it has been on for the past several decades. One of the Committee’s first major decisions was to rename the parade the “West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade.”

Planning and execution of the West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade event formally transferred to Township Staff beginning in 2024.