West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade

2025 Santa Claus Parade

The Township of West Lincoln is proud to present the 35th annual West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade. Join us on Saturday, November 29, at 5 p.m. for this fun holiday celebration! There are many opportunities to get involved in the parade. Applications are now open for parade entries, volunteers and sponsors. Learn more below.

Parade Livestream

2025 parade theme: This year’s theme, Harmony, invites floats, performers and community groups to celebrate unity, peace and togetherness. Think big and creative, whether it’s through music, colour, cultural symbols or joyful holiday scenes that showcase the beauty of people coming together.

Holiday Market: The Township is also holding a special Holiday Market on the morning of the West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade. Come out to the West Lincoln Community Centre, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 29, to peruse a wide selection of quality products and creations from local vendors. Find full details on our Market page.

Submit a parade entry

Applications for parade entries are now closed.

Important parade-day details:

Set up for parade entries begins at 3 p.m. in the West Lincoln Community Centre (177 West St., Smithville) parking lot and surrounding area
Parade entries must be completely set up by 4 p.m.
Road closures begin at 3:30 p.m.
Parade starts at 5 p.m. sharp
Parade ends at Industrial Park Rd.

Become a volunteer

Interested in volunteering? We are looking for volunteers who can help with day of event duties.

Please note that most positions will require long periods of standing.

Traffic Control Volunteers will provide traffic protection and control measures at the low risk areas of the road closure plan. Barricades and barrels will be at each location to assist with stopping traffic.
Volunteer Parade Marshals will monitor entry/participant movement and spectator activity. Marshals will communicate with drivers about speed and remind them not to stop or slow down to wait for walking participants. Assist drivers with alternate routes, keep the parade pace and ensure the road is clear.

If you are interested in joining in the fun and supporting the community please contact Staff.

Become a sponsor

Paid parade entertainers and bands, which add the extra special “magic” require additional sponsorship. Sponsorship follows under four categories:

$1,000+ Diamond Sponsors
$750+ Platinum Sponsors
$500+ Gold Sponsors
Under $500 Community Donation

Your generous sponsorship will be highlighted on our website, Township social media posts, Facebook event pages, posters in Township facilities and around the community, and on the LED signs at Township Administration and West Lincoln Community Centre on the day of the parade.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Staff.

Parade route

The parade will start at 5 p.m. from the West Lincoln Community Centre, travelling east on West Street, south on Regional Road 20 and concluding at the corner of St. Catharines Street and Industrial Park Road.

Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly, bring their own lawn chairs or blankets and arrive early to claim their spot.

Accessible parking: Spaces will be reserved at Smithville Garage for those who need accessible parking: 215 St. Catharines Street, Smithville, ON L0R 2A0

Donation opportunities

West Lincoln Fire & Emergency Services will be collecting donations of non-perishable food items for West Lincoln Community Care's Holiday Hampers during the parade.

Turkstra Lumber is holding its annual Coat Drive from November 1 to 30. Drop off warm winter wear (new or in good condition) at 304 Station Street, Smithville.

Community initiatives

As part of the parade experience, many amazing businesses and organizations will be giving out treats to people along the parade route.

Caistor Central Public School will hand out books
Dog Got It will give out hot dogs
Highland Packers/Highland Ridge will give out pepperettes
Niagara Pallet will give out cookies
Team Swayze Remax Escarpment will give out packaged treats
Stanpac will give out hot chocolate as the first float in the parade

Road closures

The following road closures will begin at 3:30 p.m. on parade day and last until 8 p.m.

Hard closure: Regional Road 20 will be closed going east of South Grimsby Road 5
Hard closure: Regional Road 14 will be closed south of Forest Avenue
Hard closure: Regional Road 14 will be closed north of Smits Cove
Hard closure: Regional Road 20 will be closed west of Townline Road
Soft closure: Regional Road 14 will be open to local traffic only from Young Street to Forest Avenue
Soft closure: Regional Road 20 will be open to local traffic only from South Grimsby Road 6 to South Grimsby Road 5
Soft closure: Regional Road 14 will be open to local traffic only from Townline Road to Smits Cove

2025 Santa Claus Parade Road Closure Map

History of the parade

The first Santa Claus Parade held in West Lincoln occurred in 1990 and has been a highly anticipated event since. Over the years, the amount of floats and parade attendees grew exponentially, and route variations were taken in stride to accept the growth of this small town parade.

Dave Willis, the long-time Committee Chair, passed away suddenly in late 2019, but the remaining Committee members persevered to put on a beautiful Parade in his honor that year.

In 2020, a brand new group of Parade Committee volunteers stepped forward to take a hold of the reins and keep the parade on the same esteemed course it has been on for the past several decades. One of the Committee’s first major decisions was to rename the parade the “West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade.”

Planning and execution of the West Lincoln Santa Claus Parade event formally transferred to Township Staff beginning in 2024.