FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I get to the Parade if I live outside Toronto and I don't want to drive.
Go Transit will be running a special schedule for the parade and will bring you to Union Station. For the Go schedule, click here.
Which TTC subway stop should we get off at to see the Parade?
There are numerous TTC stops along the Parade route, they include: Christie, Bathurst, Spadina, St. George, Museum, Queen's Park, St. Patrick, Osgoode, Queen, and King Stations.
Is there parking along the route?
There is no parking along the streets that comprise the Parade route. However, there are public parking lots near the Parade route, and many office buildings open their underground parking to Parade spectators. For Green P parking lot information, click here.
Where is the best place to see the Parade?
It is possible to see the Parade anywhere along the route illustrated and described on the Parade Route page of this site. It is important to arrive early in order to establish a good viewing location.
What date and time will the Santa Claus Parade take place this year?
The 2010 Santa Claus Parade will begin at 12:30PM EST on Sunday, November 21st.
How many spectators gather to watch the Parade each year?
The Santa Claus Parade is by far the most attended parade in Toronto and in the world.
What happened to the Parade funding when Eaton's went out of business?
After 77 years, Eaton's ended its sponsorship of the Santa Claus Parade in 1982. When the cancellation was announced just weeks before the Parade, Metro Toronto chairman Paul Godfrey approached a small group of Toronto business leaders to rescue the Parade. Among them were the Parade's co-chairs, Ron Barbaro and George Cohon, who spent days on the phone inviting Canadian companies to sponsor floats. Their actions ensured that the Parade would survive, and that children in Toronto, and across Canada via television, would continue to experience the magic of Santa.
How many people participate in the annual Santa Claus Parade?
Around 1,500 volunteers are expected to march in the Parade this year. Parade participants range in age from 8 to 80 years old.
Who pays for the Santa Claus Parade?
For 77 years, Eaton's provided the funding for the Santa Claus Parade. Today's parade is run as a not-for-profit organization, with funding provided by Canadian corporations and individuals across Ontario who take part in the Celebrity Clown Program.
When was the first Santa Claus Parade?
The first Santa Claus Parade took place on December 2, 1905. Santa Claus arrived by train at Union Station and was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Eaton. He then walked through the downtown streets to the Eaton's store, greeting groups of children as he went.
