Santa Claus parades will kick off holiday season in Waterloo Region

This weekend, Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph will kick off the holiday season with their annual Santa Claus parades.

Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph will have their annual Santa Claus parades this weekend

CBC News · Posted: Nov 16, 2016 6:01 AM ET | Last Updated: November 18, 2016

Keeping the magic of Father Christmas alive with your children can be a challenge for any parent, says psychologist Kim Knull. (Destination Centre Ville.)

The holiday season is underway and this weekend there are several Santa Claus parades in the area.

Kitchener-Waterloo

Saturday, Nov. 19

Starts: 10:30 a.m.

The parade will start at the Cedar Street and King Street intersection around 10:30 a.m. Then it will follow King Street to Victoria Street, turn on Weber Street and go all the way to the finish line on Erb Street in Waterloo.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus parade on Nov.19 will start at the King Street and Cedar Street intersection in Kithchener at 10:30 a.m. (Lions Club of Kitchener)

Cambridge

Saturday, Nov. 19

Start: 6 p.m.

One of the few parades that happen at night in this region, the 44th annual parade will travel along Hespeler Road.

Cambridge shares the same date as K-W's Sanata Claus Parade on Nov.19. Cambridge's parade however, will be at 6:00 p.m. (Cambridge Santa Claus Parade)

Guelph

Sunday, Nov. 20

Start: 1:30 p.m.

The parade route begins at Norfolk Street and Powell Street intersection. The parade will travel on Norfolk, turn left on Quebec Street, then left on Wyndham Street North, ending at City Hall.

Moments before the parade starts, at 1:00 p.m. the Santa Run will take place with participants dressing up like Santa and running the parade route.

After the parade you can make your way to the Old Quebec Shoppes for hot apple cider and enjoy a Victorian-themed event until 5:00 p.m.

Guelph will have their Santa Claus parade on Sunday Nov.20 at 1:30 p.m. (Downtown Guelph)

Upcoming parades

Elora – Saturday, Nov. 26 at 6:15 p.m.

The parade route includes Geddes, Metcalfe and East Mill Streets. Santa will be doing a meet and greet at the Elora Centre for the Arts after the parade.

Ayr – Saturday, Nov. 26 at 1 p.m.

Starts at the Premier Spring Lot on Inglis Street and moves alogn Stanley Street.

Puslinch – Sunday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.

The parade route begins at the Puslunch Municipal Office at 7404 Wellington Road 34, travels east to Wellington Road 46 (Brock Road), then south to Maple Leaf Lane where it will end at the Puslinch Community Centre Grounds. There will be free hot dogs and hot chocolate after the parade.

Cambridge and Ayr – Tuesday, Nov. 29, 4 p.m. and 5:20 p.m.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will be making a stop in Cambridge at the former Galt Station on Malcolm Street from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Afterwards, the train will continue and make another stop in Ayr at the Canadian Pacific crossing on Inglis Street and Willison Street from 5:20 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Hespeler – Saturday, Dec. 3 at Noon

The parade will run through downtown Hespeler on Queen Street.

Baden – Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m.

The parade will start at Sandhills along Snyders Road to Mill Street.

Elmira – Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m.

The parade runs right through the downtown core on Arthur Street.

Fergus – Saturday, Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m.

The parade kicks off at 500 Hill St. W. and travels through the downtown.

New Hamburg – Sunday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m.

The parade will start at the Bleams Road exit of Norm Hill Park.

Rockwood – Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.

Farmers deck out their tractors in lights for this nighttime parade. The parade route starts at Fifth Line (County Road 27 or Main Street in Rockwood) just north of the village limits, proceeds south to the stoplight and then turns west to travel towards Guelph on Highway 7. The parade then turns north on the Fourth Line of Eramosa. Organizers warn the village fills up quickly for this event. Parking available on Fourth Line.

Farmers decorate their tractors for the Rockwood Farmers' Santa Claus Parade of Lights. This year, the event will be held Dec. 8. (Rockwood Farmers' Santa Claus Parade of Lights/Facebook)

Wellesley – Friday, Dec. 9

The parade will run through downtown Wellesley.

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