Santa's Parade of Lights

On November 28, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., citizens are welcome to attend Santa's Parade of Lights in Stratford. 

This year's parade is scheduled kick off at 5:00 p.m. from the William Allman Memorial Arena, travelling up Morenz Drive/Nile Street to Ontario Street, then along Downie Street to City Hall, and finishing at the Cooper site. Fifty floats are expected to participate, and Santa Claus will be in the final one, expected to arrive at City Hall at 6:15 p.m. 

• To ensure the health and safety measures are met, event organizers and Huron Perth Public Health remind those attending the event that physical distancing of 2 metres (6 feet) or more is required from those not within the same household. Also, it is strongly recommended that face coverings be worn when outside among other attendees, and where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Event volunteers will encourage attendees to spread out along the parade route to maintain safe distances.  
• Parade floats will not hand out any items to attendees along the parade route and walking into the route, by the public, is strictly prohibited. 
• On Sundays, Stratford Transit provides an On Demand service. Learn more on using transit to attend the parade.
• Hockey patrons attending the William Allman Arena will be permitted to access the arena parking lot off North Street and special arrangements for additional parking include use of the Tom Patterson Theatre parking lot off Water Street, on a first-come, first-serve basis. More details.

This event is coordinated by the City of Stratford and the KIN service club and is presented consistent with current public health guidelines and in consultation with Huron Perth Public Health.

General Health and Safety while at Event

To ensure the health and safety measures are met, event organizers and Huron Perth Public Health remind those attending the event that:

1. Physical distancing of 6 feet or more is required from those not within the same household.
2. Wearing of face coverings is strongly recommended when outside among other attendees, and where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
3. Event volunteers will encourage attendees to spread out along the parade route to maintain safe distances. 
4. Parade floats will not hand out any items to attendees along the parade route.
5. Walking into the route, by the public, is strictly prohibited. 

• William Allman Arena parking lot will be made available to hockey patrons only, and between the hours of 3-7pm, access to the lot must be made off North Street. 
• Additional parking at the Tom Patterson Theatre lot off Waterloo Street/Water Street will be made available on a first-come, first serve basis.
• Patrons who are parked within the Tom Patterson Theatre parking lot during event hours of 3-7pm should note that access to exit the lot won’t be available from 5-6pm due to the parade event moving up Morenz Drive to Ontario Street. Patrons needing to exit the lot from 5-6pm should plan to leave before 4:45pm and or after 6pm.
• Volunteers will be placed at the Water Street/Morenz Drive Tom Patterson Theatre parking lot exit to manage traffic flow

View map for parking lot arrangements

On Sundays, Stratford Transit provides an On Demand service allowing transit to meet the needs of customers while routing vehicles only to requested stops. Customers will be able to schedule a ride based on their own timeframes and route desired stop, allowing passengers to get anywhere in the city. 

Learn more

Apply to Host a Float

1. The event will be held, rain, snow or shine.
2. Floats will move along the parade route, which is planned to start at Lakeside Drive and Morenz Drive (Allman Arena), moving up Nile Street to Ontario Street, from Ontario Street to Downie Street, Downie Street to City Hall, and finishing at the Cooper site. 
3. Float hosts are expected to fully decorate their float in the spirit of the holidays. As this is a family event, please be aware that small children will attend the event. The experience MUST NOT be disturbing in any way.
4. Floats are invited to setup starting at 3:00pm on the day of the event and must be complete no later than 4:15pm. Setup will begin on the north lane (Avon River side) of Lakeside Drive at the base of snake hill, and organizers will be on-site to assist you into your marshalling position. Your float position will be released at www.stratford.ca approximately 2 days prior to the event date.
5. To enter the float marshalling area along Lakeside Drive, please use Lakeside Drive North. Additional load-in details may be released closer to the date.
6. The front of the parade will start moving at 4:45pm.
7. Santa Claus should not be riding on any float except the final Santa float.
8. Parade floats are not to hand out any items to attendees along the parade route, and walking into the route, by the public, is strictly prohibited. 
9. This parade may be broadcast on various media, and parade float entries may be interviewed.
10. When the parade ends in and around the Cooper site, there will be different streets to disperse floats. Drivers of floats will be advised of their dispersal street when marshalling prior to the parade.

Floats fees are $45 for a community group and $100 for a corporate group. 

Deadline to apply is November 24, 2021. 

Application closed for this year.