2013 Santa Claus Parade Announced for Kingston

Published on: 2013/11/13 - in Entertainment Featured

Santa Claus is coming to town for the annual Greater Kingston Nighttime Santa Parade on Saturday, November 23rd.

UPDATE: Santa Parade Winners announced

The parade will leave from near the intersection of Bath Road & Princess Street at 5pm and travel down Princess to the Springer Market Square behind City Hall.

Beautifully decorated holiday floats and marching bands will entertain crowds lining the street, with Santa Claus himself following behind. 

In 2011, Santa Claus declared that the Kingston parade is one of his favorites, saying “I travel the world and participate in numerous parades but there’s something about the nighttime twinkle and the lovely people in Kingston that makes this the highlight of the season for both me and Mrs. Claus.”

Following the parade, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place in Springer Market Square beginning at 7:30.  Christmas carols will be sung while Santa Claus lights the tree to officially kicks off the holiday season. 

To ensure everyone can enjoy the festivities, Kingston Transit – including the Express service – will be free from 3 p.m. for the rest of the day and evening everywhere in the city.

“We encourage everyone to make a free bus ride part of this fun day. It’s a great way to show your kids what using public transit is all about – it’s economical and an active, green way to travel,” said Director of Transportation Services, Sheila Kidd. “Residents and visitors can also take advantage of parking their cars for free at the Park and Ride lots, and then hop on board the bus.”

Park and Ride lots are located at Centre 70 at Front and Days Roads, the Kingston Gospel Temple at 2295 Princess Street, Montreal Street at Hwy 401, and the INVISTA Centre at 1350 Gardiners Road.

People interested in taking the bus can plan their trip using the City’s online trip planning tool found.

UPDATE: CKWS TV has posted their Santa Claus Parade coverage. View it below or on Youtube.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons