Orangeville Santa Claus Parade

2026 Orangeville Santa Claus Parade

Saturday, November 21, 2026
Parade begins at 5:00 p.m.
Marshalling area: Hansen Road
Parade Theme: A Storybook Christmas
Celebrate fairy tales, classic Christmas stories, and beloved characters!

Registration deadline: Monday, November 16, 2026, or once at capacity.
The Parade Registration Application Package includes:

• Entry Registration Form
• Insurance Requirements
• Parade Participation Rules and Acknowledgement
• Float Inspection Checklist
• Quiet Area Acknowledgement

Please complete and submit all sections of the registration application. Parade entries are subject to approval, and not all entries may be accepted.

Once your entry has been confirmed, payment may be made by cash, debit, or cheque at Town Hall. Cheques must be made payable to Town of Orangeville. Online payment is also available (a 2% processing fee applies). 

For questions, please contact Allison Dukovski, Supervisor, Recreation & Events, at [email protected].

• The coverage on the certificate is primary coverage
• That both participants and spectators are covered
• Minimum of 30 days notification of any policy change or cancellation
• Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) liability coverage (minimum)

The following rules must be acknowledged as part of your parade float application:

• ALL PARTICIPANTS agree to read, initial/sign where indicated, and abide by these rules. Failure to do so will result in your entry being denied participation in the parade and may result in your entry being refused participation in future Orangeville Santa Claus Parades.
• REGISTRATION must be completed, including submitting the Entry Registration Form, Parade Rules & Acknowledgement, and Waiver and Release, Certificate of Insurance, and Registration Fee by the posted deadline. The Parade Organizer can refuse participation to any ENTRY submitting the required documents and payment after the deadline.
• DETAILED PARADE INFORMATION will be emailed to all Entrants prior to Parade Day. All instructions must be followed for the safety of all involved. Information will include details on how and when to arrive, registration upon entry, float inspection checklist, parade route details, parking, drop off and pick up of participants, and expected conduct.
• VEHICLES must be appropriately licensed to operated by licensed driver and vehicles must be in good, working order including antique vehicles.
• INCLEMENT WEATHER is possible. This is a rain/snow or shine event. All Participants must come prepared for the weather and should be appropriately attired.
• ENFORCEMENT of the Highway Traffic Act and Town of Orangeville Road Closure By-Laws will be in in effect. ALL PARTICIPANTS must follow and abide by the directions given to them by the Police or any Parade Official operating on behalf of the Town of Orangeville and must comply with the Highway Traffic Act and any other applicable legislation.
• RIDING ON FLOATS is ONLY permitted along the Parade Route, (includes Marshalling & Disembarking Areas). Children must be supervised and safely seated, without legs or feet dangling over the sides of the float and float railings are highly recommended. Participants are NOT permitted to ride on floats outside of Parade Route.
• SMOKING/ALCOHOL/CANNABIS use while in Marshalling/Disembarking Areas and along Parade route is not permitted. Participants under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to participate in the parade.
• FIRE EXTINGUISHERS MUST be on board if you are using a generator or other potential fire hazard. This is a safety check requirement. Decorative elements should be made of fire-retardant materials. First Aid kits are highly recommended.
• EMBARKING & DISEMBARKING vehicles or floats while they are in motion and/or anywhere along the Parade route is strictly prohibited. Entries and or Participants permitting disembarkation at any point along the parade route, including at the Disembarking Area before vehicle has come to a complete stop, will not be permitted to participate in any future parade.
• ENTRANCE & EXIT points are strictly enforced. Entrance is only permitted from the Marshalling Area. Exiting is only permitted at Fourth Street (floats without riders) and at the Disembarking Area (floats with riders). Entrance/Exit along the Parade route is NOT permitted.
• PARTICIPANT PICK UPS AND DROP OFFS must be made at a location nearest to the Marshalling Area and at the Disembarking Area of the Parade. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will vehicles that are not involved in the parade be allowed into the Marshalling Area or the Disembarking Area. You will be advised prior to the Parade of nearby parking lots where Participants can be safely dropped off and/or picked up. Road Closures will be strictly monitored and anyone who does not adhere to the safety of the road closures and barricades can expect action by the OPP.
• DECORATION AND ASSEMBLY of all Entries must be done prior to entering the Marshalling Area. Final touches to the decorating will be permitted in the Marshalling Area. ALL entries must be decorated, including automobiles (individual vehicle entry allowances will be at the discretion of the Parade organizer).
• REGISTRATION NUMBERS must be prominently displayed on the RIGHT SIDE of each entry for the purposes of judging and identification.
• ADVERTISING must be secondary to the spirit of the parade and must adhere to signage rules. Any advertising and promotion must be family friendly.
• SIGNS are limited to a maximum of 2 per float, must not exceed 2 x 8 feet in size, and must be securely attached to the entry.
• SANTA CLAUS & MRS. CLAUS will ONLY appear on the Santa Float only as arranged by the Parade organizer. All Entries and Participants agree to NOT to include a person or persons dressed as Santa Claus or Mrs. Claus on or in their entries.
• THROWING OF ITEMS (including candy) is strictly prohibited and will result in being banned from future parade participation. Participants may distribute promotional items with Parade Organizer’s pre-approval, but items must be handed directly to spectators.
• FLOAT INSPECTIONS/SAFETY CHECKS will be conducted on each entry in the Marshalling Area. Entries failing this safety check will not be permitted to participate in the Parade. A copy of the Float Inspection Checklist will be provided in advance of the Parade.
• ENTRIES that include participants riding on the vehicle or float MUST have a minimum of 2 supervisors walking along each side of the float to ensure the safety of all riding participants and that Parade Rules and Guidelines are being followed.
• PARADE THEME should be incorporated into the design of all Entries (including walking groups).
• MUSIC is strongly encouraged! Please play Christmas themed music only. Please respect other Parade Participants, Spectators, and keep the volume at a comfortable level.
• LIGHTS are strongly encouraged, especially as the end of the parade is in full darkness.
• RIGHT TO REFUSE ENTRIES lays with the Parade Organizer if entries do not meet Parade Rules, Guidelines, Safety Requirements or if Entries differ from their approved Registration details. If you are refused entry on Parade Day, the Registration Fee will be refunded.
• PARTICIPANT PICK UPS AND DROP OFFS must be made at a location nearest to the Marshalling Area and at the Disembarking Area of the Parade. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES will vehicles that are not involved in the parade be allowed into the Marshalling Area or the Disembarking Area. You will be advised prior to the Parade of nearby parking lots where Participants can be safely dropped off and/or picked up. Road Closures will be strictly monitored and anyone who does not adhere to the safety of the road closures and barricades can expect action by the OPP.
• HEIGHT of entries cannot exceed 14 feet.
• LENGTH of entries cannot exceed 53 feet.

To help ensure the Santa Claus Parade is an enjoyable and inclusive experience for everyone, a designated Quiet Area will be available along the parade route for individuals who may benefit from a lower-sensory environment.

This section of the route is intended to reduce sudden or excessive noise and provide a more comfortable viewing experience for children and adults with sensory sensitivities, including those who may be sensitive to loud sounds.

All parade participants and float drivers must comply with the following requirements while travelling through the Quiet Area:

• No honking or use of vehicle horns.
• No sirens, air horns, amplified sound effects, or other sudden/loud noises.
• Music and onboard sound systems must be turned off or kept to a minimal volume.
• Drivers and participants should avoid unnecessary shouting or other excessive noise.
• Please maintain a safe and steady pace through the area and follow directions from parade staff and volunteers.

We ask all participants to respect this designated area and help us create a welcoming parade experience for community members with sensory needs.

Floats will meet at the marshalling area on Hansen Road. Please connect with your main contact for details on your floats location along the road.  

As there will be extensive road closures in the area, please consider walking to meet your float-mates.

Where can I find details on the "Joy and Lights Market"?

Two weekends of endless holiday cheer and festive fun for the whole family are planned for November 20 - 22 and November 27 - 29 in downtown Orangeville. Visit the annual Traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony the night of Friday, November 20 and the Joy + Lights Holiday Gift Market both weekends.

Visit the Downtown Orangeville website for all of the details.

Joy and Lights Weekend