Santa Claus Parade – A Toronto Tradition for Over 118 Years

1925 - Crowds on James St watching Santa and the Wooden Soldiers on the second-floor balcony of Eaton's Queen St W and Yonge St store
1925 – Crowds on James St watching Santa and the Wooden Soldiers on the second-floor balcony of Eaton’s Queen St W and Yonge St store (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 6695)

Since 1905, The Santa Claus Parade has taken over the streets of downtown Toronto each year in November. Once one of Canada’s most successful national retail companies, Eaton’s department store started the yearly tradition.

The Early Years of the Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade

Timothy Eaton had an idea to attract parents and their children to Eaton’s department store. So, in 1905, a flurry of telegrams announced that Santa was arriving at Union Station from the North Pole. His route through Toronto’s streets was lined with eager crowds. Like a Pied Piper, the jolly fellow, seated on a crate on the back of a horse-drawn cart, was followed to Eaton’s store at Queen St W and Yonge St. Santa climbed up a ladder to Toyland that was located on the second storey of the store. When Eaton’s threw open its doors, the shopping frenzy began. What started as a publicity stunt became a Christmas tradition beloved by Toronto, Canada and many around the world.

Every year following, the parade became larger and more elaborate. In the 1910s, mounted police, bands and cadets opened the parade. Children gazed with wonder at floats with nursery rhyme characters like Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, Mother Goose and The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. Steeds drew Santa in his snow-clad chariot. His Outriders, who rode white horses, were dressed in red and green with tinsel plumes on their helmets. Some kids climbed trees and telegraph poles to get the first glimpse of St Nick while others followed behind Santa, waving red felt pennants given to them at Queen’s Park. The parade travelled through downtown, even making a stop at Massey Hall, before winding its way to end at Eaton’s store.

1925 – The head of the "longest, wiggliest Worm with a great round head and a nose like a big sausage" float at the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
1925 – The head of the “longest, wiggliest Worm with a great round head and a nose like a big sausage” float at the Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 6687)

The 1920s & 1930s

During the Great Depression years, Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade was a day of celebration for Torontonians. In 1932, radio station CFRB (today’s Newstalk 1010) began programming that tracked Santa from the North Pole to Toronto. When Parade Day finally arrived, whether you were one or ninety-one, the thousands upon thousands that lined the streets were beyond excited.

The festivities started at Lansdowne Ave and headed east along Bloor St W, south on Queen’s Park, University Ave, then along streets by the University Avenue Armouries (since demolished), Osgoode Hall and Old City Hall to Eaton’s. Floats included Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Wooden Soldiers and the Queen of Hearts.

By 1939, costumes were made of paper since materials were scarce during wartime.

The 1950s & 1960s

In 1952, the parade was televised for the first time. By the late 1950s, the parade had 13 large and 20 small floats, along with over 2,000 participants.

In the mid-1960s, the Santa Claus Parade travelled east along Dupont St from Dovercourt Rd. It made its way along Davenport Rd and headed south along Yonge St to Eaton’s Queen St store. The parade cost over $100,000 to put together. Some of the floats featured mechanically operated animals guided by periscopes.

1977 - Santa and his Reindeer on an Ice Floe float on Queen's Park, looking northwest towards the McLaughlin Planetarium and the Park Plaza Hotel
1977 – Santa and his Reindeer on an Ice Floe float on Queen’s Park, looking northwest towards the McLaughlin Planetarium and the Park Plaza Hotel (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 99, Item 20)

The 1970s

Crowds were numbering in the 600,000s, so the parade moved to University Ave to accommodate everyone. At 8:30 am, the parade began at Dovercourt Rd, heading east on Dupont St. Turning south on Avenue Rd, it proceeded through Queen’s Park and down University Ave. It then turned east on Queen St W, finishing at Eaton’s Queen Street store at around 10 am.

In 1976, the parade, which was watched on TV by 30 million people, was moved from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. There were complaints of traffic disruption and conflicts with the televised CFL payoffs. In 1981, the parade was held on November 1st. Many felt this was too early; however, if it was held in late November, it could be too cold for the children.

The 1980s

In August 1982, Eaton’s announced they would be sacking what would have been their 78th parade. The country was in a recession, and the $500,000 cost of the parade outweighed its promotional benefits. That year, Eaton’s had nearly 70% of the details looked after.

Twenty corporations and the provincial government stepped up within three days to save the parade. Picking up where Eaton’s left off, the parade was a go that year and held in mid-November, as usual. Since then, The Santa Claus Parade has been operated as a non-profit organization relying on sponsorships.

In 1983, the tradition of Celebrity Clowns began. Over 60 executives paid $1,000 each to march, entertain and give away balloons to children along the parade route. By 1995, over 200 Celebrity Clowns led over 25 floats and 2,000 participants through downtown Toronto.

2019 - A Celebrity Clown with Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders
2019 – A Celebrity Clown with Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)

The Santa Claus Parade Today

In 2018, the 3-hour parade was put together by over 3,000 staff and volunteers. Around 5.5 km in length, the procession featured 32 floats, 21 marching bands, thousands of marchers in costume and those happy Celebrity Clowns with their miles-of-smiles.

In 2019, upwards of 1 million spectators came from miles around to watch one of the country’s longest-running traditions.

While the Parade usually takes place on the third Sunday in November, the 2020 and 2021 parades were virtual, televised-only events. About 1 km in length, the floats took a 90-minute ride from Santa’s workshop to Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan to film the parade. On the first Saturday of December, people across the country watched the Santa Claus Parade TV Special from home on CTV and CTV2. The spectacle included 24 floats, marching bands playing Christmas favourites, celebrities, musicians and more.

The Original Santa Claus Parade returns to Toronto on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at 12:30 pm. It starts at Christie Pits and travels east along Bloor St W. The parade turns south on Spadina Ave, east on Harbord St/Hoskins Ave, then rounds Queen’s Park Cres onto University Ave. It takes an east turn on Wellington St W, then south on Yonge St and finally travels east on Front St E to end at St Lawrence Market.

See The Original Santa Clause Parade website for more details.

About Eaton’s

1897 - T Eaton Co Limited Christmas Catalogue (Toronto Public Library OHQ-BOOKS-C-W-210)
1897 – T Eaton Co Limited Christmas Catalogue (Toronto Public Library OHQ-BOOKS-C-W-210)

Timothy Eaton arrived in Canada from Ireland in the mid-1800s. In 1869, he and his wife opened a dry goods retail store on Yonge St, and as space was needed, Mr Eaton purchased many properties on the north side of Queen St W at Yonge St and beyond. In 1907, Timothy Eaton passed away, and his family looked after operating the business. Eaton’s dominated the retail industry, and stores were popping up across Canada, including their magnificent Eaton’s College Street store.

In the mid-1970s, Eaton’s department store on the northwest corner of Queen St W and Yonge St, along with several other buildings, were demolished to construct the Eaton Centre. In 1977, Toronto’s newest shopping centre opened at one of the country’s busiest corners. In 1999, Eaton’s closed, and while they may not be around today, their name and the iconic parade they operated for over 75 years still are.

1965 - Mother Goose float and her helpers, looking northwest from Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd
1965 – Mother Goose float and her helpers, looking northwest from Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 32)

Did You Know?

  • In the early years of the parade, after Santa passed by, parents would give their children a present from Santa they secretly brought with them. It would help to calm children who were upset that Santa was gone.
  • Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade was a two-day event in 1910. It started in Newmarket and ended by travelling down Yonge St.
  • In 1913, medical missionary Sir Wilfred Grenfell loaned eight reindeer from Labrador to the parade. The animals rested at the then-Davisville Hotel, which is now a subway station. They had their own veterinarian and ate their special diet of moss. The crowds and excitement frightened the usually gentle reindeer, which caused them to nip at their handler. Pulling Santa and his bag full of toys proved to be somewhat challenging for the size of the animals.
  • In the mid-1910s, Eaton’s sold tickets for Santa Claus Receptions at Massey Hall. Before Old St Nick made his appearance at the now-historic venue, everyone was regaled with music and entertainment.
  • Special baskets were at one time attached to poles along the parade route for kids to drop their letters to Santa.
  • Eaton’s also had Christmas parades in Montreal from 1905 to 1967 and Winnipeg from 1925 to 1968.
  • The Santa Claus Parade is the world’s longest-running children’s parade. It’s watched on TV in Ireland, New Zealand and Norway.
  • Toronto’s parade predates Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade by 19 years.

Santa Claus Parade Photos

1918 - Looking northwest on Queen St W, just west of Yonge St, towards Eaton's store. Crowds are watching Santa getting ready to climb the ladder from his gold chariot to Toyland on the second floor
1918 – Looking northwest on Queen St W, just west of Yonge St, towards Eaton’s store. Crowds are watching Santa getting ready to climb the ladder from his gold chariot to Toyland on the second floor (Archives of Ontario I0020538)
1925 - Crowds on James St watching Santa and the Wooden Soldiers on the second-floor balcony of Eaton's Queen St W and Yonge St store
1925 – Crowds on James St watching Santa and the Wooden Soldiers on the second-floor balcony of Eaton’s Queen St W and Yonge St store (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 6695)
1925 - A very long sausage dog in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade, walking east on Hallam St, rounding the corner to Ossington Ave
1925 – A very long sausage dog in Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade, walking east on Hallam St, rounding the corner to Ossington Ave (Archives of Ontario I0020441)
1925 – The head of the "longest, wiggliest Worm with a great round head and a nose like a big sausage" float at the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
1925 – The head of the “longest, wiggliest Worm with a great round head and a nose like a big sausage” float at the Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 6687)
1926 - The Tall Family with the ladies wearing hoop skirts rounding the corners of Osgoode St (no longer exists), Chestnut St and Albert St in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade
1926 – The Tall Family with the ladies wearing hoop skirts rounding the corners of Osgoode St (no longer exists), Chestnut St and Albert St in Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 9439)
1926 - Wooden Soldiers float at Albert St and Chestnut St, looking northwest towards the University Avenue Armouries that were once behind Osgoode Hall
1926 – Wooden Soldiers float at Albert St and Chestnut St, looking northwest towards the University Avenue Armouries that were once behind Osgoode Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 9440)
1926 - Santa in his swift sleigh float rounding the streets once behind Osgoode Hall
1926 – Santa in his swift sleigh float rounding the streets once behind Osgoode Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 9446)
1930 - Mother Goose float at Albert St and Chestnut St (these streets no longer intersect) in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade
1930 – Mother Goose float at Albert St and Chestnut St (these streets no longer intersect) in Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 22531)
1930 – Elephants float heading east on Albert St in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade
1930 – Elephants float heading east on Albert St in Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 22534)
1930 - Cinderella and her golden horse-drawn coach travelling east on Albert St in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade
1930 – Cinderella and her golden horse-drawn coach travelling east on Albert St in Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 22533)
1933 – Santa Claus in a sleigh drawn by reindeer (and horses), riding over the rooftops to Eaton's
1933 – Santa Claus in a sleigh drawn by reindeer (and horses), riding over the rooftops to Eaton’s (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 31746)
November 17, 1934 - Santa being drawn by four horses on University Ave just south of Elm St, looking north towards Queen's Park
November 17, 1934 – Santa being drawn by four horses on University Ave just south of Elm St, looking north towards Queen’s Park (City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail Fonds, Fonds 1266, Item 35341)
1936 – The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe float in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade
1936 – The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe float in Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade (Archives of Ontario I0020466)
1944 - The Santa Claus Parade passing the southwest corner of Bloor St W at Bathurst St
1944 – The Santa Claus Parade passing the southwest corner of Bloor St W at Bathurst St (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 93437)
1945 - The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe float travelling past the Registry of Deeds and Land Titles building, once at the northeast corner of Albert St and Chestnut St, which no longer intersect
1945 – The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe float travelling past the Registry of Deeds and Land Titles building, once at the northeast corner of Albert St and Chestnut St, which no longer intersect (City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail Fonds, Fonds 1266)
1950s – King Cole and his Fiddlers Three in the Santa Claus Parade going past the C David Naylor Building on Queen's Park Cres W
1950s – King Cole and his Fiddlers Three in the Santa Claus Parade going past the C David Naylor Building on Queen’s Park Cres W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 46)
1950s – Looking northwest on Queen's Park Cres W towards the Eaton's Toyland Book float at Toronto's Santa Claus Parade
1950s – Looking northwest on Queen’s Park Cres W towards the Eaton’s Toyland Book float at Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 39)
1956 - Baton twirlers in the Santa Claus Parade, heading south on Queens Park Cres W, in front of Hart House at the University of Toronto
1956 – Baton twirlers in the Santa Claus Parade, heading south on Queens Park Cres W, in front of Hart House at the University of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Series 975, File 2306, ID 33463-13)
1956 - A tractor pulling the January Fun in the Snow float passing by the Hart House at the University of Toronto
1956 – A tractor pulling the January Fun in the Snow float passing by the Hart House at the University of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Series 975, File 2306, ID 33463-3)
1956 – Maytime in Sherwood Forest float at the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
1956 – Maytime in Sherwood Forest float at the Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Series 975, File 2306, Item 33463-4)
1956 – October Halloween float in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade heading south on Queens Park Cres W. The Hart House at the University of Toronto is in the background
1956 – October Halloween float in Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade heading south on Queens Park Cres W. The Hart House at the University of Toronto is in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Series 975, File 2306, Item 33463-8)
1960s - The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe float at Queens Park Cres W, heading towards University Ave during the Santa Claus Parade. In the background is the C David Naylor Building at the University of Toronto
1960s – The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe float at Queens Park Cres W, heading towards University Ave during the Santa Claus Parade. In the background is the C David Naylor Building at the University of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 47)
1960s - Voyage of the Treasure Ship float travelling south on Queen's Park Cres W
1960s – Voyage of the Treasure Ship float travelling south on Queen’s Park Cres W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 44)
1960s - Humpty Dumpty float in front of the C David Naylor Building at 6 Queens Park Cres W during the Santa Claus Parade
1960s – Humpty Dumpty float in front of the C David Naylor Building at 6 Queens Park Cres W during the Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 47)
1965 - Eaton's float for the Jubilee year of the Santa Claus Parade, near Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd
1965 – Eaton’s float for the Jubilee year of the Santa Claus Parade, near Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 35)
1965 - Jack and Jill float in the Santa Claus Parade at Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd
1965 – Jack and Jill float in the Santa Claus Parade at Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 36)
1965 - Marchers in the Santa Claus Parade, looking northwest from Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd
1965 – Marchers in the Santa Claus Parade, looking northwest from Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 33)
1965 - Mother Goose float and her helpers, looking northwest from Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd
1965 – Mother Goose float and her helpers, looking northwest from Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 32)
1965 - The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf float at Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd
1965 – The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf float at Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 38)
1969 - Cinderella float in front of Eaton's College Street store, looking northwest on Yonge St
1969 – Cinderella float in front of Eaton’s College Street store, looking northwest on Yonge St (Archives of Ontario I0020367)
1969 - Santa in front of A&A Records and Sam the Record Man on Yonge St
1969 – Santa in front of A&A Records and Sam the Record Man on Yonge St (Archives of Ontario I0020377)
1974 - The Upside-Down Chicken performers in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade, looking north from Queen's Park Cres W towards Bloor St W
1974 – The Upside-Down Chicken performers in Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade, looking north from Queen’s Park Cres W towards Bloor St W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 99, Item 19)
1974 - Hatching egg float in the Santa Claus Parade, rounding the corner onto Queen's Park Cres W
1974 – Hatching egg float in the Santa Claus Parade, rounding the corner onto Queen’s Park Cres W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 9, Item 17)
1977 - Santa and his Reindeer on an Ice Floe float on Queen's Park, looking northwest towards the McLaughlin Planetarium and the Park Plaza Hotel
1977 – Santa and his Reindeer on an Ice Floe float on Queen’s Park, looking northwest towards the McLaughlin Planetarium and the Park Plaza Hotel (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 99, Item 20)
1977 - Looking northwest on Queen's Park towards Toronto Police Service vans in the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade. Notice the McLaughlin Planetarium and the Park Plaza Hotel in the background
1977 – Looking northwest on Queen’s Park towards Toronto Police Service vans in the Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade. Notice the McLaughlin Planetarium and the Park Plaza Hotel in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 99, Item 105)
2004 - Little cars setting up for the Toronto Santa Claus Parade at Christie Pits Park. The beautiful park is named after a bygone quarry
2004 – Little cars setting up for the Toronto Santa Claus Parade at Christie Pits Park. The beautiful park is named after a bygone quarry (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 291, Series 1502, Item 19)
2004 – A marching band waiting to begin the Toronto Santa Claus Parade at Christie Pits Park
2004 – A marching band waiting to begin the Toronto Santa Claus Parade at Christie Pits Park (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 291, Series 1502, Item 15)
2004 – At Christie Pits Park, a marching band getting ready at the starting point of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade
2004 – At Christie Pits Park, a marching band getting ready at the starting point of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 291, Series 1502, Item 20)
2018 - Santa on his sleigh in Toronto's Santa Claus Parade
2018 – Santa on his sleigh (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2018 - Kelly's Heroes band, looking north on Queens Park
2018 – Kelly’s Heroes band, looking north on Queens Park (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2019 - A Celebrity Clown with Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders
2019 – A Celebrity Clown with Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2019 - The Tim Horton's float on Queen's Park, just south of Bloor St W
2019 – The Tim Horton’s float on Queen’s Park, just south of Bloor St W (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2022 - Santa and his reindeer in Toronto's Santa Claus Parade
2022 – Santa and his reindeer in Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2022 - The Holly Jolly Fun Run heading south on Queen's Park. In the background on the left is the Royal Ontario Museum, and on the right is the Park Hyatt Toronto Hotel
2022 – The Holly Jolly Fun Run heading south on Queen’s Park. In the background on the left is the Royal Ontario Museum, and on the right is the Park Hyatt Toronto Hotel (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2022 - Celebrity Clowns in the Santa Claus Parade. The tradition began in 1982, and today, there are over 150 Celebrity Clowns and 50 Junior Clowns in the annual event
2022 – Celebrity Clowns in the Santa Claus Parade. The tradition began in 1982, and today, there are over 150 Celebrity Clowns and 50 Junior Clowns in the annual event (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2023 - Santa Claus in the last float in the Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – Santa Claus in the last float in the Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Pizza Pizza float parked on Bloor St W, west of Dufferin St, before the start of the Santa Claus Parade
2023 – The Pizza Pizza float parked on Bloor St W, west of Dufferin St, before the start of the Santa Claus Parade
2023 – Seasons Greetings from the Chinese Community at the Santa Claus Parade
2023 – Seasons Greetings from the Chinese Community at the Santa Claus Parade
2023 – The Pizza Pizza float parked on Bloor St W, between Ossington Ave and Christie St, before the start of the Santa Claus Parade
2023 – The Pizza Pizza float parked on Bloor St W, between Ossington Ave and Christie St, before the start of the Santa Claus Parade
2023 – The floats parked on Bloor St W, between Ossington Ave and Christie St, before the start of the Santa Claus Parade
2023 – The floats parked on Bloor St W, between Ossington Ave and Christie St, before the start of the Santa Claus Parade
2023 – Floats parked on Bloor St W, between Ossington Ave and Christie St, before the Santa Claus Parade in 2023 were a joy to the spectators
2023 – Floats parked on Bloor St W, between Ossington Ave and Christie St, before the Santa Claus Parade in 2023 were a joy to the spectators
2023 – The Santa Claus Float at the Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Santa Claus Float at the Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Burlington Teen Tour Band at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Burlington Teen Tour Band at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Western Mustang Band at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Western Mustang Band at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – Upside-down clowns at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – Upside-down clowns at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 –Malvern Band at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 –Malvern Band at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Toronto All Star Orchestra at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Toronto All Star Orchestra at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Canadian Tire Store float at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Canadian Tire Store float at the Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto
2023 – The Canada Goose float by Ambient Mechanical Ltd parked on Bloor St W, between Ossington Ave and Christie St, before the start of the Santa Claus Parade
2023 – The Canada Goose float by Ambient Mechanical Ltd parked on Bloor St W, between Ossington Ave and Christie St, before the start of the Santa Claus Parade
2023 - The Original Santa Claus Parade route
2023 – The Original Santa Claus Parade route (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2019 - The heritage plaque reads:

The Santa Claus Parade

"In 1905, Timothy Eaton's department store began the tradition of the Santa Claus Parade. Initially, the parade featured Santa Claus on a horse-drawn cart. The parade has grown in size and splendour to include upside-down clowns, colourful marching bands, mascots, characters in elaborate costumes, ornately-decorated floats and – of course – Santa Claus himself. Over the years, Santa has travelled from the North Pole by train, coach, ice floe, airplane and sleigh pulled by nine reindeer. In 1982, a local volunteer group assumed responsibility for the parade. One of Canada's longest-running traditions, the parade remains focussed on bringing joy to children and continues to enchant and entertain people of all ages."

Ontario Heritage Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario
The heritage plaque is located at the northwest corner of Queen St W and James St
2019 – The heritage plaque reads:

The Santa Claus Parade

“In 1905, Timothy Eaton’s department store began the tradition of the Santa Claus Parade. Initially, the parade featured Santa Claus on a horse-drawn cart. The parade has grown in size and splendour to include upside-down clowns, colourful marching bands, mascots, characters in elaborate costumes, ornately-decorated floats and – of course – Santa Claus himself. Over the years, Santa has travelled from the North Pole by train, coach, ice floe, airplane and sleigh pulled by nine reindeer. In 1982, a local volunteer group assumed responsibility for the parade. One of Canada’s longest-running traditions, the parade remains focussed on bringing joy to children and continues to enchant and entertain people of all ages.”

Ontario Heritage Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario
The heritage plaque is located at the northwest corner of Queen St W and James St
1897 - T Eaton Co Limited Christmas Catalogue (Toronto Public Library OHQ-BOOKS-C-W-210)
1897 – T Eaton Co Limited Christmas Catalogue (Toronto Public Library OHQ-BOOKS-C-W-210)
SOURCE