Santa Claus Parade returns to Carleton Place this Saturday

Downtown Carleton Place will glow with festive lights and holiday cheer this Saturday as the annual Santa Claus Parade returns with more than 60 floats, marching bands and community groups participating.

This year’s theme, ‘Merry & Bright’, promises a colourful evening of illuminated displays as the parade moves through the heart of town. The event begins at 5 p.m. on November 29, 2025 starting from Carleton Place High School on Lake Avenue West.

According to the Town of Carleton Place, the parade will travel up Lake Avenue before turning left onto Bridge Street and making its way through the downtown core. The procession will wrap up at the Carambeck Community Centre.

Residents are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations, which the Carleton Place & District Civitan Club will collect along the route in support of the Lanark County Food Bank and the Christmas Basket Program.

Young parade-goers can also send their letters directly to Santa via Canada Post workers. The trusty postal workers will be dressed in their signature elf attire and walking the route collecting children’s notes to deliver straight to the North Pole.

For those who can’t attend in person, the parade will be livestreamed with hosts John Bowes and Matt Tierney. The broadcast will be accessible with a streaming link to be shared closer to parade time.