Santa Claus is coming to New Tecumseth this month!
The Tottenham Santa Claus Parade will return on Saturday, November 28th. Organizers are inviting community groups, businesses and organizations to take part.
Following its successful return in 2025 after a six-year hiatus, this year’s parade will be presented by the New Tecumseth Rotary Club in cooperation with the Beeton Tottenham Business Improvement Association (BTBIA). The theme for 2026 is Canada Strong.
The parade will begin at 3:00 p.m., with participants assembling no later than 1:45 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School at 2 Nolan Road in Tottenham.
The procession will travel west from the school to Queen Street, then south along Queen Street to Rogers Road, where the parade will end. The OPP and New Tecumseth Rotary Club marshals will be on hand to assist with traffic flow and parade organization.
There is a maximum of 50 entries, and applications must be submitted by Friday, November 13th, or earlier if the entry limit is reached. Click here for an application.
Commercial entries are subject to a $75 fee, while not-for-profit organizations, registered charities, BTBIA members and members of the Tottenham Beeton and District Chamber of Commerce can participate free of charge.
Two awards will be presented:
- Best Float – Not-for-Profit
- Best Float – Commercial
Judging will begin at 2:15 p.m. in the parade lineup area. Entries will be evaluated on effort, overall appearance, celebration of the Christmas season, and the Canada Strong theme. Only floats are eligible for the awards, and they must be in position when judging begins.
Organizers are reminding participants that, for safety reasons, candy, souvenirs and other objects cannot be thrown to spectators from floats or by participants in the procession. Groups that do not follow this rule will not be permitted to participate in future parades.
Applications can be mailed to Tottenham Santa Claus Parade, c/o George Scott, New Tecumseth Rotary Club, 24 Via Amici, Alliston, ON, L9R 2B4, or submitted by email. Commercial entry fees can be paid by cheque or e-transfer to george@georgescott.ca. Applicants are also required to provide a copy of the front of the driver’s licence for anyone operating a vehicle in the parade.
For more information or to request additional details, contact George Scott at 416-706-2819 or george@georgescott.ca.
READ – BWG Santa Claus Parade returning in November
Meanwhile, the Rotary Club of Alliston is preparing for its 19th annual Night-Lit Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 21st.
Entry is free, thanks to the Rotary Club, but completed applications must be submitted by Friday, November 6th.
Entries must be illuminated with lights and feature Christmas music. Organizers also specify that participants cannot include their own live Santa Claus, as Santa is reserved for the final float of the parade.
Items cannot be tossed directly from floats, although participants walking alongside an entry may hand items to spectators.
Click here for an application for Alliston’s parade.
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